the trick to traditional Western saws is to loosen your grip. next time you use one and it starts binding, just loosen your fingers while pushing with your palm and let the saw do it’s thing. it also helps if you take a step back from your work piece. I’m not exactly sure why this works . I think it’s something to do with the angle between your arm and the saw that makes it easier to move smoothly when the work piece is a little bit further away from you

but, I do love the Japanese pull saws as well. I still find myself going to the western. saw for detail work though