Thread: Dovetail saw; which one?

Before commenting, I'd just like to say that I agree with the above sentiment that getting an old one, learning to sharpen it, and trying it out is your best bet if budget is a concern. If you spend $60 on a saw and some sharpening gear instead of whatever a LN saw costs, just think of all the wood you could buy to destroy with the saw?

But if you absolutely must buy one of the two mentioned, I'd, personally, save up my money and go with the LN. I owned the Veritas and I didn't care for it. Not only do I really not like the aesthetic, It's a super fine pitch and I found that it was more likely to bind than other saws. Granted it was my first dovetail saw, so there could be some user error biasing that comment, but it was just my experience.

The LN saw has the pitch which I currently use on my dovetail saw, which is 15tpi, and I think that is a much better toothing for all but the thinnest board stock. I want to be able to cut one side of a dovetail in about three to five good strokes in drawer-thickness material, and this one will do it. I got a really good deal on the LN saw, so I bought it, literally, just to try it out. I ultimately gifted it, but, if I hadn't, I would still be using it.

Hope that helps.

Cheers,
Luke

Luke, although I also suggested buying and restoring a vintage saw, it was low on my list of options. The problem here lies with needing to learn to sharpen a saw. It is no big deal once you have sharpened a couple, however it is a very off-putting factor until one has reached that point. For someone starting out, buying a saw that is ready-to-go is the better decision, especially when there is a Veritas available.

In case you missed this, I own and like the LN. But it is a very different kettle of fish to the Veritas, and really better for someone with experience in sawing dovetails. The LN is more aggressive than the Veritas and will saw faster. This is due to the rake angle of the teeth. On the other hand, the Veritas starts more easily.

By "super fine pitch" it sounds like you had the 20 tpi Veritas. Understandably, this will cut much slower than a 15 tpi LN. If so, you are not comparing apples with apples.

I found that the Veritas was apt to bind on hardwood. This was simply a matter of too little set. Not all the Veritas saws are like this. The fix is simple - add more set. The saw then cuts smoothly. I would not expect this to be a feature of all the saws sold.

My bottom line is that I really like the LN, but I am wary of recommending it for a beginner. I believe that someone starting out will progress faster with the Veritas.

Regards from Perth

Derek

I have two LN back saws -- a cross-cut carcass plus a dovetail. Both saws date from just after Pete Tarrant sold Independence Saws to Tom Lie Nielsen.

I also have two Veritas carcass saws -- cross cut and rip -- plus two super premium saws from Mike Wenzloff.

What I particularly like about the LN saws is their hang angle.
However, I find that I am using the Veritas saws as much as I am using the LN versions. In my fleet of saws -- the Veritas hold their own against LN and Mike Wenzloff and at a fraction of the price they are IMO a "no brainer".


If the OP is looking at new western style back saws -- and is budget limited -- they would need to have a much better reason than "looks" to not buy a Veritas saw.

OK - problem solved. Buy the 14tpi Veritas dovetail saw. Carefully mask off the blade with tape, and temporarily unscrew and remove the handle. Apply Rub 'n Buff to the black composite spine of the saw (your choice of colour, e.g. several different golds, or maybe even Spanish Copper for that retro look?)

Rub 'n Buff : Metallic Finishes : Mixed Media

Result? A low cost, high quality dovetail saw with bling and attitude......

Well, the info here has been amazing. There are definitely options. To be honest, i like the idea of finding a quality old saw and refurbishing it, after all thats how ive collected most of my hand planes.

Thanks to everyone for your help and advise, more than i anticipated, but very welcome. I can happily say i have learned quite a bit in the last few days.

Cheers

Hailey

I have recently purchased the Veritas Dovetail saw as my first dovetail saw and am finding it great to use, yes It doesn't have the same look to it as the LN or Rob Cosman or other dovetail saws but it feels fantastic in my hand to use. I found the best price for it was from https://www.thewoodworks.com.au/.
Just my 2 cents.