12 ELEMENTARY WOODWORKING 
That this tool will not cut so readily across the grain 
may easily be proved by again resorting to the narrow 
chisel and attempting to repeat the first’ experiment. 
The wood will act as shown in Fig. 10 at 0, splitting 
along the grain in both directions. It is quite evident, 
then, that a tool for cutting across the grain must be 
constructed in some other way. 
Continuing this experiment, let us cut the fibers with 
a knife point in two parallel lines across the grain, 
Fic. 11. The Saw 
close together, as at c. It will be found that the wood 
between. these lines may now be easily removed with the 
narrow chisel. This fact is made the basis on which 
we construct the crosscut saw. Every tooth is sharp- 
ened to a point, one on the right side, the next on 
the left, giving two parallel lines of sharp points 
designed to cut the fibers, as was done in our experi- 
ment with the knife. Fig. 12 shows the end view of the 
crosscut teeth enlarged. Observe that not only are 
the alternate teeth sharpened on opposite sides, but 
