Which way to mount a hacksaw blade?

A hacksaw blade is normally mounted with the teeth facing forward as shown in the following illustration:

Sawing is an alternance of two phases: 

• The push: this is the cutting phase (the material is removed), it must be directed forward with moderate downward pressure (to allow the cut).
• Withdrawal: this is the phase where the saw is pulled back to the initial position. It is not a cutting phase: it is advisable to slightly relieve the saw to reduce the pressure on the saw to release the blade from the material.

You should not try to cut in the withdrawal phase, the cut is made only during the push (provided that the blade is mounted in the right direction).

A hacksaw blade is normally mounted with the teeth facing forward as shown in the following illustration:

Sawing is an alternation of two phases: 

• The push: this is the cutting phase (the material is removed), it must be directed forward with moderate downward pressure (to allow the cut).
• Withdrawal: this is the phase where the saw is pulled back to the initial position. It is not a cutting phase: it is advisable to slightly relieve the saw to reduce the pressure on the saw to release the blade from the material.

You should not try to cut in the withdrawal phase, the cut is made only during the push (provided that the blade is mounted in the right direction).