For big, rough work, the former is the common way, the worker holding the material in place with one knee, because this method enables him to exert his greatest strength.

A convenient way for rip-sawing a small piece of wood is to insert it in the vise, Fig.

89, with the broad side of the board parallel to the vise screw, and the board inclined away from the worker who stands upright.

The start is easy, the sawdust does not cover the line, and the board is not in danger of splitting.

The board, however, has to be reversed after it is sawn part way thru, in order to finish the saw cut.
The _back-saw_ or _tenon-saw_, Fig.