The Gyokucho/Razorsaw 'Blue Hard' ryoba
(double sided saw) is an updated incarnation of the 'Blue Cloud' with
an eye to improving balance and reducing the weight to make the saw a
little easier to use for the professional and amateur alike.
By reducing the width of the saw plate, the blade's weight is reduced and by shortening the respective handle to return the centre of gravity to it's correct position, the overall weight is reduced making for a saw that is less fatiguing and as a result, allows the user to work to a higher standard for longer. The reduction in materials used also lowers the cost a little. The combination of features make this saw a worthy contender for the title of 'most popular saw in Japan'.
(This saw also accepts 'Blue Cloud' blades.)
Rattan wrapped solid wood handle with screw-lock blade retention (Gyokucho specific).
This saw also has a feature that may or may not be beneficial to you depending on how you plan to use the saw. The rip cut side of the saw has teeth that are not all the same height, making every second tooth pair a little lower than the previous pair. This is intended to allow these lower teeth to act as 'rakers' to help keep the saw kerf clear of debris. As a result, the saw rip cuts very fast but the cut is rougher than you might expect. This is not necessarily a defect as the feature is 'designed into the saw' but some users feel otherwise and you should be aware of it.