Miniature saws may look cute, but they're harder to maneuver than an honest-to-goodness carpenter's saw. Go for a crosscut saw with 8 to 10 sharp teeth per inch, and choose one that's between 14 and 26 inches in length. You'll be able to take steady strokes that cut cleanly through pieces of molding, doweling, garden hose, and even the trunk of a Christmas tree. (Stanley 14-inch crosscut saw, $12 at www.acehardware.com.)