Safety and disclaimer

Updated: October 2026

This notice is issued by Karen (Kaz) Davis, trading as Kaz Saw (ABN 37 507 635 679), Melbourne. It explains how to use the saws I make safely and what to expect from a handmade tool. It also covers the guides and posts I publish on this website.

Safe use of your saw

Every saw leaves my bench sharpened and ready to cut. The teeth are sharp and will cut skin on contact. Keep the blade cover on whenever the saw is not in use, and carry the saw by the handle with the teeth pointing away from you. Keep your saws out of reach of children.

Work on a stable, well-lit bench with the timber held firmly in a vice or against a bench hook. Keep your free hand clear of the cut line. A sharp saw needs only light pressure, so do not force it. If the saw binds or jumps, stop and check your technique.

Inspect the saw before each use. Stop using it if the handle is loose, the timber is cracked or the blade is bent, and contact me so I can look at it.

Wear safety glasses, earmuffs and a P2 dust mask whenever you file, sharpen, sand or polish. Needle files and freshly cut teeth are sharp, and filing, sanding and polishing all produce fine particles that should not reach your eyes or lungs.

Store your saw dry and lightly oiled, with the blade cover on. The Saw Care Guide explains how I look after my own saws.

New to hand tools

My saws are made for woodworkers who understand hand-tool work. If you are new to hand tools, I recommend a course or workshop before you use one. Good instruction covers how to hold the work and how to start a cut, and it is the quickest way to learn safe habits. Details of my own saw-making workshops are on the Workshops page.

Condition and fit

Each saw is made by hand from natural timber. Grain, colour and small tool marks vary from saw to saw and are not defects. A commissioned saw has its handle sized to the hand measurement you supply, so please measure carefully and contact me before ordering if you are unsure. Each finished saw lists its handle size, so please check that it suits your hand before you buy. The Maker's Journal explains how to measure your hand.

Website content

The Maker's Journal and the Saw Care Guide describe how I measure, sharpen and look after saws in my own workshop. They are general information drawn from my own practice and should not be read as professional safety advice. I cannot see your tools or your workshop, so if you follow a guide you do so at your own risk. Take your time and stop if anything feels unsafe.

Some posts link to other websites, including suppliers, books and videos. Those links are provided for convenience. I do not control the content of other websites and I am not responsible for it.

Liability

To the extent the law allows, I do not accept liability for injury, loss or damage arising from misuse of a saw, from modification or poor maintenance, or from use contrary to this notice. Nothing in this notice excludes, restricts or modifies the consumer guarantees that apply under the Australian Consumer Law. If there is a problem with a saw you have bought from me, please see the Terms of Sale and contact me.

Workshops

My saw-making workshops are open to adults aged 18 and over. Attendance is covered by a separate Workshop Policy and Liability Waiver.

Contacting me

Questions about this notice, or about using your saw safely, can be sent to me by email or phone.

Karen (Kaz) Davis, trading as Kaz Saw
ABN 37 507 635 679
Melbourne VIC, Australia
Email: info@kazsaw.com.au
Phone: 0403 593 521