I had planned to do an un-boxing type of post – however, I’m impatient, and I’ve been looking forward to these for a while now. I’ve been using a 10″ carcass saw that I got from Mark Harrel (BadAxe Tool Works)some time back – and I absolutely love it. I had a 16″ and 14″ tenon and sash saw that I got from Lie-Nielson, but I always went back to the carcass saw at my bench. There was something about the way the saw worked for me that I just can’t put my finger on. I don’t know if it’s sharper (Mark sharpens the saws for the wood I use – mostly cherry and white oak) or if its the handle, or the hang, but the BadAxe saws just feel better.

Now, don’t think I’m panning the LN saws – they are good saws. I use them in my classes, and hands down they are better than most of the saws that come my way in there. However, this week I got my BA Tenon and Sash saws. OMG! The Tenon saw I tried out first, and after getting used to the fact that I needed to stay
off the 1″ of toe when I was into the cut – It sliced through the cherry beautifully. I made several vertical endgrain cuts, and was delighted with the tracking and kerf (just the right width to keep the blade in place, with no binding. I cut off the piece on one side, reversed it, and laid it back in place. The joint between the pieces had no gapping – it fit snuggly against the original cut. (This is a trick I learned from Rob Cosman, to check the smoothness of a cut for dovetail saws).

Next I flipped the board I was cutting on over on it’s side, and made a similar set of crosscuts. I really don’t have words to describe this – Mark had done some magic or something. It really doesn’t feel like sawing – the blade just leaps through the board, and with little or no effort or vibration – the experience is just breath taking. I was so giddy that I ran up stairs to tell my wife (she acted interested, because she loves me, and she feels that is what she is supposed to do) and then went back down and made several more cuts. This is so sweet!

I still have a place for my 10″ cross cut saw, but I suspect the sash saw is going to get more work in the future. I will also fess up that the two new saws are significantly heavier than the 10″ saw – which is to be expected. I’m ok with that, as for the most part, I expect the saw to do the work, and me to just sort of be there watching it. The new saws cost more than their LN counterparts, but for me, I am happy to made the investment.

For those that are interested, here are the specs on the two new saws

Bad Axe 16″ Tenon Saw
Item# Bad Axe 16″ Tenon Saw, Filing: Rip-cut – Standard , Pitch: 12 ppi, Gauge Plate: .025 , Back: Black-Oxided Carbon Steel , Species: Texas Honey Mesquite (add $25) , Fasteners: Brass Slotted-Nuts , Size: (R)

Bad Axe 14″ Sash Saw
Item# Bad Axe 14″ Sash Saw, Filing: X-Cut , Pitch: 13 ppi , Gauge Plate: .02 , Sawback : Black-Oxided Carbon Steel , Species: Texas Honey Mesquite (add $25) , Fasteners: Brass Slotted-Nuts , Size: (R)

And my original carcass saw:

Bad Axe 10” Carcase Saw Deposit
Item# BATW10C , Handle Preference: Open Disston Pattern , Wood Species Preference: American Black Cherry – standard , Back Preference: Brass – add $20 , Points Per Inch: 14 ppi , Filing Preference: X-Cut , Fastener Preference: Brass Slotted – standard