Josh Wolff
Member
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- 40
I have been furiously researching current hand saw makers trying to determine what is the "correct" price/performance intersection. Starting with a 10" dovetail saw as a template, here is what I find.
The least expensive of the saws that people generally claim to be high quality seem to be made by Thomas Flinn. His dovetail saws range from about $80 to about $160. As far as I can tell, the biggest complaint about Flinn's saws has to do with the handle not being shaped by hand. There appears to be some limited hand-finishing on the saws in the higher end of the range. This is also one of the dovetail saws available through Lee Valley.
Next on my list is the Lie-Nielsen. They only have one price point in traditional dovetail saws; $125. To my eyes the fit and finish of the handle on the LN looks nicer the PAX, which is Flinn's top-end model.
Next I've looked at saws by Wenzloff and Sons. There is no direct comparison, as Wenzloff doesn't carry a 10" dovetail, but his 9" Harvey Peace dovetail saw is $150 and looks as nice as the LN to me. What I perceive to be his smallest high-end model is a Disston-reproduction 14" tenon saw at $300. The Wenzloff claim to fame seems to be that they produce accurate reproductions of best hand saws from the last 200 years or so.
Next, my personal favorite so far based on the website/advertising budget/I drank the koolaid: Bad Axe Toolworks. With a dizzying array of customizable options including wood-species, sawback metal, fastener metal, custom tooth-filing and five handle sizes, this guy really gets my attention. The usual point of contention, handles, get plenty of TLC. In addition Mark Harrell makes a point about his skill as a saw-filer. This being the only comment I can recall reading that was actually about the quality of the blade - aside from a generic "highest quality" line. Prices for the 10" dovetail saw range from $225 to about $400 depending on your options.
And finally, Rob Cosman. By all accounts, he produces a very high-quality dovetail saw for just under $300, but I just can't wrap my mind around the idea of a resin saw handle.
Here's my problem: Aside from the differences in number of man-hours required to produce the saw handle and the associated perceived improvement in comfortable use, I can't really figure out how any of these sawblades are actually better then the other. They all claim to be of the highest quality.
If there is a legitimate reason, other than coolness, to buy from Bad Axe instead of Thomas Flinn, for example, I really need help sorting it out. Otherwise I need to know why I shouldn't get a dovetail saw, a tenon saw and most of a panel saw for what I would pay for one dovetail saw from Mr. Harrell.
thoughts anybody?
The least expensive of the saws that people generally claim to be high quality seem to be made by Thomas Flinn. His dovetail saws range from about $80 to about $160. As far as I can tell, the biggest complaint about Flinn's saws has to do with the handle not being shaped by hand. There appears to be some limited hand-finishing on the saws in the higher end of the range. This is also one of the dovetail saws available through Lee Valley.
Next on my list is the Lie-Nielsen. They only have one price point in traditional dovetail saws; $125. To my eyes the fit and finish of the handle on the LN looks nicer the PAX, which is Flinn's top-end model.
Next I've looked at saws by Wenzloff and Sons. There is no direct comparison, as Wenzloff doesn't carry a 10" dovetail, but his 9" Harvey Peace dovetail saw is $150 and looks as nice as the LN to me. What I perceive to be his smallest high-end model is a Disston-reproduction 14" tenon saw at $300. The Wenzloff claim to fame seems to be that they produce accurate reproductions of best hand saws from the last 200 years or so.
Next, my personal favorite so far based on the website/advertising budget/I drank the koolaid: Bad Axe Toolworks. With a dizzying array of customizable options including wood-species, sawback metal, fastener metal, custom tooth-filing and five handle sizes, this guy really gets my attention. The usual point of contention, handles, get plenty of TLC. In addition Mark Harrell makes a point about his skill as a saw-filer. This being the only comment I can recall reading that was actually about the quality of the blade - aside from a generic "highest quality" line. Prices for the 10" dovetail saw range from $225 to about $400 depending on your options.
And finally, Rob Cosman. By all accounts, he produces a very high-quality dovetail saw for just under $300, but I just can't wrap my mind around the idea of a resin saw handle.
Here's my problem: Aside from the differences in number of man-hours required to produce the saw handle and the associated perceived improvement in comfortable use, I can't really figure out how any of these sawblades are actually better then the other. They all claim to be of the highest quality.
If there is a legitimate reason, other than coolness, to buy from Bad Axe instead of Thomas Flinn, for example, I really need help sorting it out. Otherwise I need to know why I shouldn't get a dovetail saw, a tenon saw and most of a panel saw for what I would pay for one dovetail saw from Mr. Harrell.
thoughts anybody?