English and Americans have developed the saw on the opposite principle, namely, that it should cut on the pushing stroke.

As a matter of fact, the crosscut-saw cuts somewhat on the back stroke.

The pushing stroke necessitates a thickening of the blade sufficient to prevent buckling,--a not uncommon occurrence in the bands of a novice, in spite of this thickening.

But tho this requires more force, and involves more waste, there are the compensations that the arm can exert more pressure in pushing than in pulling, especially when the worker stands upright or stoops over his work, and the stiffer wide blade acts as a guide to the sawyer.

Each method has its advantages.