Hasegawa

As advertised

OK, I have not used these saws to scribe panel lines just yet, but my review is a comparison to the Tamiya saw kit I already own and have used.So the other kit is similar in the fact that it is also a PE set of razor saws, with different shapes that look strange at first, but make sense once you have them in your hand. That is where the similarities end.The Tamiya kit is very thick by comparison, probably better for 32 and 24 scale, but too thick for panel lines in 48 and a destructor in 72 scale. Another difference is where the teeth are located. While the Tamiya has teeth only on the straight edged side of the oddly shaped saws, the Hasegawa has teeth on curves, IMO, giving them much greater latitude and functionality. Again, the Tamiya set is thick by comparison, these saws are razor thin, care must be taken while using them, but the blade kerf makes them ideal for panel lines in 48 and probably even 72 scale. Another difference in the set, are the number of teeth per inch. When I ordered the Tamiya set, I had nothing to compare it with, and probably bought the wrong set, thinking they were all the same, the only variation in the shape of the blades, that is probably incorrect. But, buying the Tamiya set gave me a base line to work from and guide me in future buys. The Tamiya set has visible teeth, again only on the straight edge side of each saw. The Hasegawa saws have teeth on curves sides, so small that I can see them with my eyes from 6 inches away. These are tiny teeth, which I use feel to find them. So they are super fine and very sharp. Pretty sure I can make quick work of any styrene or resin, even a finger if so inclined.Bottom line, if you need to scribe new panel lines on your kit, this is a good place to start. With some quick tests on sprue, they cut very easily, making them easy to control. Care must be taken though, making slow cuts using a guide to keep the blade running straight is important, with the flex of these ultra thin blades, it would be easy to damage the blade and injure a finger or two, if care is not taken while using these saw/scribes.I have absolutely no doubt that these blade will be used for years to come, and in the unlikely event that they wear out, I would be happy to buy them again.

This made it much easier to re-scribe panel lines after sanding. Before I was using a scribing tool but something always wrong. You might take too much off and make one panel line look different. It could slip off the line even when using a guide. This has made a big difference. I can slowly and more accurately re-scribe or add new lines. I don't always need a guide because the saws don't remove much on one stroke. I just sand it a little to remove the mistake and just keep going.

I use many tools for scribing lines in my models, including dental picks, Squadron scriber, knife blades, and pins depending on the situation. Most lines look good, but take more effort than I would prefer. These simple micro saw like blades allow for starting very straight lines. After which, if I need to widen or deepen them, I turn to my Tamiya scriber. These Hasegawa scriber saws have saved me so much time (and profanity).

I have few uses for this tool:One is pretty standard: restore panel lines that were lost during sanding/filling process or add panel lines that were not present on the kit.Second is less common: majority of my models I build in takeoff/landing configuration. For majority of models that means cutting out control surfaces, cutting and modifying configuration of landing gear and adding scratchbuilt from styrene sheets pieces to the control surfaces and landing gear. Saws from this set are really great for that since it is making a thin cuts that would work out even for models in 1/144 scale.

Great for rescribing lines in airplanes of all types.

A very useful addition to the plastic modeler's toolbox. The extremely thin photoetched metal and fine teeth make these saws the perfect thicknees for adding scribed panel line detail to older model kits.

Used on my many model builds and works great