Bob Beecham | posted 11:42 AM, April 28, 2021

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Although the back saw may not be considered an essential woodworking tool, it should never be considered a luxury. The fact that the tool has changed so little over the centuries proves its efficiency in work such as sawing textures or precision tasks such as cutting dovetails. There are also some unquantifiable factors to owning a high-quality back saw. For those who like their craftsmanship, the back saw is a kind of fun to use, and provides an opportunity to hone their skills for those who like to practice.

In terms of its nature, the back saw is also one of the safest wood cutting tools. Especially the small size of dovetail saws and gentleman saws make them a good way to introduce children to woodworking (under the supervision of parents, of course).

This guide explains the different variations of these tools and will help keen woodworkers choose the back saw that best suits their needs. Read on to understand the important factors to consider when choosing a back saw, and then discover some of the top options on the market today.

The term "back saw" is a general term for any saw with a reinforced brass or steel back edge. This design is to prevent the blade from bending and therefore facilitate consistent and accurate cutting. The following section looks at the technical differences between these tools and should help optimize your search for the best back saw for a specific task.

Although any saw with a reinforced spine can be called a back saw, these tools are divided into different types.

The tenon saw is the largest of these tools, although it is often referred to as a back saw in the United States. It is a general-purpose saw, named after the tenon for cutting mortises and tenons, and is also used for sawing textures and cutting miter joints. In fact, manufacturers often sell tenon saws with miter boxes. This tool can usually be found on the job site and in the workshop.

The dovetail saw is slightly smaller. As the name suggests, it is commonly used to cut dovetail joints, although many dovetail saws are still large enough to provide good versatility. The gentleman saw (usually referred to as the gentleman saw for short) is a smaller, more refined tool used for detailed workshop work.

Back saws usually have a crosscut tooth pattern rather than the crack tooth pattern found on larger general-purpose woodworking saws. The teeth are straight up, rather than angled in the cutting direction, to make the cut cleaner, or at an angle to the grain. Teeth can be simply punched out of the blade material, although they are usually induction hardened with electric current to maintain their sharpness for longer.

The number of teeth per inch (tpi) determines the smoothness of the cut, but it also affects the cutting speed of the saw. Fewer and larger teeth are faster than more and smaller teeth. A general back saw may have 12 or 13 tpi, while at the other end of the scale, a gentleman saw may have 18 to 20 tpi.

Unsurprisingly, the universal back saw is a much larger tool than the male saw. The blade on a tenon saw can be up to 18 inches long, but 12 to 14 inches is more common. Dovetail saws are usually 8 to 10 inches, while gentleman saws are usually 6 to 8 inches long.

As the blade becomes shorter, the blade also tends to become proportionally shallower. For example, a tenon saw looks sturdy, but a gentleman's saw looks delicate. This is because the former may have to withstand considerable force when sawing, so it requires a large amount of material to be filled in the blade. In contrast, the latter is only for fine work, so the support provided by the reinforced back is sufficient.

When choosing the back saw that best suits your needs, the depth of the blade is also a factor. Remember that the depth is actually the maximum cutting depth, because the back side will prevent you from sawing deeper.

The blade is always made of steel. The quality varies, but accurate information about the type is not always available. Generally speaking, high-carbon steel blades are of higher quality, which is often reflected in the price. The reinforcing band on the back is traditionally brass, but steel is also used in the structure. Although the latter may not be so visually appealing, it is more powerful.

The back saw can have one of two types of handles. Tenon saws tend to use standard pistol grips, which provide a firm grip when sawing larger sections of material. Some are flat; others are contoured to maximize grip. Dovetail saws and gentleman saws usually have an in-line handle and do not require a lot of physical effort behind them to operate.

The processing materials vary greatly. Wood is the traditional first choice for dovetail saws and gentleman saws. Low-cost tenon saws usually have ordinary plastic handles, which are best described as functional. More high-quality tools use composite handles, which are both durable and comfortable.

Now that you have read the dimensions and specifications associated with these tools, it is time to focus on several high-quality models in a particular category on the current market. Read on to discover some of the best back saws to add precision to your next woodworking project.

Stanley Fatmax is a 14-inch universal back saw designed for efficient cutting of wood, plywood and composite materials. It has 13 tpi, which provides a good compromise between fast cutting and a clean surface. This is a very popular tool for businessmen, and it is also useful for DIY or in home workshops.

The blade is made of steel and the back is also steel, which increases support and durability. The sturdy bi-material handle has been carefully sculpted for a firm grip and all-day comfort.

Although the Stanley Fatmax back saw is technically a disposable tool because its induction hardened teeth cannot be sharpened, it should still provide an excellent service life.

One of the most common uses of back saws is to cut the joints of wood at a precise 45 degree or 90 degree angle. To make this a quick and easy task, manufacturers usually pair back saws with miter boxes. The back saw is installed in the prefabricated slot, so the work only takes a few minutes. Of course, the user can also operate the back saw without a miter box, so the versatility is not limited.

The GreatNeck reinforced steel back saw uses a 14-inch blade with 12 tpi and is designed for fast cutting. The high-strength plastic handle provides good durability and comfortable grip. The miter box is made of sturdy high-impact polystyrene with a maximum depth of 3 inches.

Although this is not a tool for picky joinery, it does provide excellent value for those who may want to make country furniture, and is invaluable for DIY or renovation work.

Making high-quality dovetail joints requires care and precision. Therefore, a high-quality dovetail saw needs to provide excellent control while still being able to easily cut hard hardwoods. Zona dovetail tenon meets these needs at a price far lower than many competitors.

The 8-inch blade has a steel back design and provides 18 tpi. The manufacturer calls it a "thick" blade, which may be correct compared to some other blades, but the cut is only 0.020 inches thick. Zona also uses the term "razor blade" to mean its fast cutting ability, and the blade has enough strength to apply firm pressure when necessary.

The saw has a wooden handle and is comfortable to hold, but it is not excellent in terms of grip or comfort. In general, this is a dovetail saw that is very suitable for craftsmen and amateurs.

The structure of this Crown gentleman saw is made of high-quality materials. The 8-inch, 17-tpi blade is made of high-carbon steel, which is hard and maintains the edges well, but can be sharpened if necessary. The back is traditional solid brass, as is the ferrule where the blade fits the handle. The classic mahogany handle has been carefully crafted for a comfortable grip and excellent controllability.

Gentleman Crown's saw has a design that has not changed for generations because it is very effective. Although there are cheaper gentleman saws on the market, few offer comparable performance.

Spear & Jackson has been making exquisite woodworking tools for nearly 200 years, so when they referred to dowel saws as "traditional", they had experience to support this claim. In other words, high-carbon steel blades and other aspects indicate that the manufacturer has also incorporated the best modern metal technology into the structure of this back saw.

The blade is 12 inches long and has a tpi of 15. The deep brass backrest provides excellent support. Although this is a compact saw, it can provide fast cutting when needed. The "universal" tooth profile is also suitable for cutting along the grain or transversely, enabling precise sawing regardless of the task. The comfortable wooden handle is secured with three rivets instead of the usual two. The Spear & Jackson Tenon Saw is an investment, but it is a good tool that should last a lifetime.

After reading through our notes and carefully reviewing some of the most acclaimed options, you can now better choose the back saw that best suits your needs. In other words, you may have unanswered questions. The following sections cover many of the most common queries.

Generally speaking, the back saw is a woodworking tool, but you can occasionally use it to cut soft metals such as aluminum, brass, and copper. If you need to cut metal, especially steel, on a regular basis, you should buy a hacksaw.

If you use a back saw often, it may eventually need to be sharpened. Fortunately, this is not difficult. For practical help, you can refer to the article here. Back saws with induction hardened teeth cannot be sharpened because they are too hard. However, their service life is indeed much longer than that of blades with punched teeth.

It is relatively easy to keep the back saw in its best condition. Occasionally wiping the blade with a paste wax will help prevent rust. You can use light engine oil, but it may be transferred to your workpiece. If possible, provide your own storage area for the rear saw so that the saw teeth will not hit other tools. If the saw has a wooden handle, like many people, keep it as dry as possible and wax it occasionally.

Even if it is used frequently, the back saw should be used for at least a few years. Some of the best dovetail saws and gentleman saws can be considered "heirloom" tools. With a little care, they can last a lifetime.

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