How is a piercing saw different from a regular saw?

The blade is extremely thin, allowing cuts in tight curves and corners that would be impossible with a thicker blade. It can also be detached from the frame, threaded through a drilled pilot hole and refastened, so interior cuts can be started anywhere on a sheet rather than only from an edge.

What blades are used in a piercing saw?

Piercing saw blades come in numbered sizes, with higher numbers being finer. The right size depends on the gauge of metal being cut; thinner metal generally needs a finer blade. Blades are consumable and break regularly, so jewellers keep a supply.

What is the technique for using a piercing saw?

The saw cuts on the downstroke, so the teeth face downward toward the handle. The frame is held almost vertically against the metal, with the work supported on a bench pin, and the blade is guided with a light, steady, vertical motion. Forcing the blade sideways breaks it quickly.

What is a piercing saw in jewellery making?

By Jared James · Last updated 21 May 2026

Definition

A piercing saw is a fine-bladed frame saw used in jewellery making to cut metal sheet, pierce interior shapes and create intricate openwork designs. It has a C-shaped or adjustable frame that holds a very thin, fragile blade under tension, and the blade can be threaded through a small drilled hole to begin a cut from the inside of a piece, not just from the edge. This is what makes it so useful for decorative piercing and fretwork, where shapes are cut out from within the metal.

Frequently asked questions

How is a piercing saw different from a regular saw?: The blade is extremely thin, allowing cuts in tight curves and corners that would be impossible with a thicker blade. It can also be detached from the frame, threaded through a drilled pilot hole and refastened, so interior cuts can be started anywhere on a sheet rather than only from an edge.
What blades are used in a piercing saw?: Piercing saw blades come in numbered sizes, with higher numbers being finer. The right size depends on the gauge of metal being cut; thinner metal generally needs a finer blade. Blades are consumable and break regularly, so jewellers keep a supply.
What is the technique for using a piercing saw?: The saw cuts on the downstroke, so the teeth face downward toward the handle. The frame is held almost vertically against the metal, with the work supported on a bench pin, and the blade is guided with a light, steady, vertical motion. Forcing the blade sideways breaks it quickly.

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