You could use a power tool to do all your carpentry jobs. It might be easier, it will definitely be quicker, but there's no real core woodworking skills needed. Using handheld tools brings you in contact with the wood, it transports you back to the days before electricity, to the days of craftsmen, when everything was done by hand. It can sometimes be quicker and easier to just take a saw off the rack and get cracking into a job, rather than having to mess around with setting up a power saw. In the modern workshop, there's a place for both types of saw.
For every type of power saw that you can buy, there's the equivalent in hand saws, or at least hand saws that make the same type of cut. The first tip on choosing a handsaw is to choose the one that fits the job. You can get very specific about the type of saw you want. There are many different types of handles for instance. Each type of saw will have different teeth, differing in number, angle and size. The teeth are the main thing which differentiates the type of work you want to do.
A general carpentry saw will have teeth spaced at about 8 teeth per inch. This type of general cross-cut saw is designed to cut deep into the wood on the forward stroke and remove that sawdust from the cut on the backwards stroke.
Other types of saw include the back-saw which, with the use of a mitre box, is a stiff saw to cut precise angles on trim and mouldings. When using this type of saw, make sure both the timber you'll be cutting and the mitre box are held firmly in place.
A coping saw is designed to cut curves. Like it's power brother, the jigsaw, the coping saw has a thin blade and is essential in making trim mouldings look very professional. This saw comes with detachable blades because they break easily when under stress, so make sure you have a plentiful supply to hand. Finally, the hacksaw is used to cut metal. It's still one of the staples of a carpenter's toolbox because it can be used to cut away fastenings or other metal fixtures.
Finally, just a quick word on practical safety. Always use saws for the purpose for which they were designed. Misusing your saws can cause damage to the tool and to you. Once your saw becomes dull, take it to a professional sharpener. It's worth the time and effort, and the small cost, to get your saw back to tip top condition.
