Hobby Knife Blades – Blade Guide
When it comes to precision in crafting, the right tools make all the difference. The Hobby Knife is a cornerstone tool
Picking the right saw starts with two numbers
Zona has made razor saws, miter boxes and saw frames in the United States since the 1950s, and the lineup has grown to dozens of saws and blades. If you have ever looked at two razor saws that seem identical and wondered which one you need, the answer almost always comes down to two specs: teeth per inch (TPI) and kerf width.
Our new Miter Box & Razor Saw Guide lets you filter every Zona saw, miter box and blade by what you are cutting, TPI and kerf width. This post covers what those specs mean so you can pick with confidence.
Teeth per inch: speed vs. finish
TPI is the number of teeth along one inch of the blade. Fewer teeth take bigger bites, clear sawdust faster and move quickly through thick, soft stock. More teeth take smaller bites, leave a cleaner edge and keep thin or hard material from chipping or tearing.
Zona saws fall into three ranges:
| TPI range | Best for | Zona examples |
|---|---|---|
| 14–18 | Thick, soft stock where speed matters | 35-350 Woodcraft Saw (14 TPI), 35-400 Flush Cut Saw (16 TPI), 35-380 Dovetail Saw (18 TPI) |
| 24–32 | General-purpose cutting in wood, plastic and styrene | 35-300 Woodcraft Saw (24 TPI), 35-560 Deluxe Fine Kerf Razor Saw (24 TPI), 35-500 Fine Kerf Razor Saw (32 TPI), 35-200 Ultra Thin Kerf Razor Saw (32 TPI) |
| 42–52 | Thin, hard or delicate material where a clean edge matters most | 35-550 Fine Kerf Razor Saw (42 TPI), 35-150 Ultra Thin Kerf Razor Saw (42 TPI), 35-050 Ultra Thin Kerf Razor Saw (52 TPI) |
A good rule of thumb: the thinner the material, the more teeth you want. You should have at least two or three teeth in the material at all times, or the saw will grab and chatter.
Kerf width: how much material the cut removes
The kerf is the width of the slot a saw leaves behind, and it is set by the blade thickness. A thinner kerf removes less material and leaves a finer line. A thicker kerf cuts faster and tracks straighter in heavier stock.
| Kerf | Blade thickness | Choose it when | Zona saws |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ultra thin | .008″ | The saw line itself would show: fine joints, inlay, delicate model parts | 35-050, 35-150, 35-200 |
| Fine | .010″ | You want a clean edge with enough stiffness to stay on line in harder stock | 35-550, 35-500, 35-560 |
| Standard | .015″–.020″ | You are cutting thicker wood and want speed and a straight track | 35-300, 35-350, 35-380 |
For most hobby and model work, a fine kerf saw is the safest all-around pick. Go ultra thin for the most precise work, and standard when you are cutting thicker wood.
Matching a miter box to your saw
A miter box holds your work and guides the saw so the cut comes out square or at a set angle. The key is that the slot has to match the blade. A slot cut for an ultra thin blade will not take a thicker one, and a slot that is too wide lets a thin blade wander.
- 35-250 Mini Miter Box: sized for Zona’s ultra thin kerf saws (35-050, 35-150, 35-200)
- 37-240 Thin Slot Miter Box: made for the fine kerf saws (35-500, 35-550, 35-560)
- 35-260 Wide Slot Miter Box: takes thicker blades like the 35-300 Woodcraft Saw
Starting from scratch? A saw-and-box set takes the guesswork out, since the saw and slot are already matched: the 35-251 Mini Miter Box & Saw Set, the 35-221 Deluxe Razor Saw with Miter Box, and the 35-241 Aluminum Miter Box and Fine Kerf Saw.
One saw or interchangeable blades?
Most Zona razor saws are built as a single unit, with the blade bonded to a steel back for stiffness and accuracy. When the teeth wear, you replace the saw.
If you would rather swap blades, look at the multi-saw sets. The 35-130 4-in-1 Razor Saw with Deluxe Handle and the 35-140 4-in-1 Razor Saw Set take replacement blades like the 36-050 (52 TPI) and 36-555 (32 TPI). The 35-450 Saber Saw Set takes 36-406 Keyhole Saber Blades. One handle covers several jobs, and you only replace the blade when it wears.
Quick picks by material
- Wood: Match the teeth to the thickness. The 35-350 Woodcraft Saw (14 TPI) and 35-380 Dovetail Saw (18 TPI) handle thicker stock. The 35-300 Woodcraft Saw (24 TPI) covers everyday work, and the 35-400 Flush Cut Saw trims dowels and plugs flush with the surface.
- Plastic and styrene: These chip or melt with a coarse blade or a fast stroke. Use a thin kerf and a high tooth count, like the 35-050 (52 TPI) or 35-550 (42 TPI), and let the saw do the work.
- Brass and copper: The fine kerf saws (35-500, 35-550, 35-560) have the stiffness for soft metal tubing, rod and sheet.
- Steel: The 35-600 Mini Hack Saw and 35-680 Junior Hack Saw are built for small metal cuts.
- Precious metal and intricate shapes: A jewelers saw frame (SF63523 or SF63525) with jewelers saw blades handles piercing and detailed cutouts.
Find your saw
Still deciding? The Miter Box & Razor Saw Guide lists every Zona saw, miter box and blade in one place. Pick what you are cutting, the TPI range and the kerf width, and the list narrows to the saws built for the job.
Questions about a specific project? Call us at 800-272-2885 and we will point you to the right saw.
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