Can a Sheet of Paper Saw Through Wood?

Anyone who has ever had a paper cut before knows the excruciating pain that comes with it. First, there’s the slice and the cursing at yourself for doing it; and then comes the realization that a thin piece of paper has made you bleed. Ironically wood makes paper which is why this video from woodworker John Heisz in Ontario, Canada is so incredibly fascinating. It puts the Ginsu Knife infomercial to shame.

Heisz demonstrates that paper can cut through its mother source by replacing the blade of a table saw with a fitted round piece of paper. He then proceeds to test several objects, running them through the paper saw one after the other like a magician putting blades through a box.

First he flicks his finger through it for affect just to let you know it’s really paper.

The spinning paper does its job miraculously slicing through paper, cardboard, and a thin strip of wood without tearing into pieces. Can it make its way through a quarter-inch thick piece of wood? Over two million people watched this amazing YouTube video to find out.

If watching this puts you in the mood for another cutting project; Heisz shows you how to fashion a drawer knife from an old diamond blade. For all your woodworking and handyman needs, or if you’re a fixer upper, you can check out more of Heisz’ DIY videos on I Build It.