Thread: New D8 - BadAxe

As a Disston saw enthusiast and owner of sever D8s, I have mixed feelings.

I'm extremely happy to see one of the high end manufacturers stepping up to the plate and finally being willing to sell a hammer tensioned, taper ground hand saw. That's been a long time coming and I am genuinely excited to try one. I may have to make a trip to a show some time to try this out.

I think they should offer it in apple. Right off the bat I don't like that it's not an option. Apple may not be easy to source, but it's not like you can't find it. Charge appropriately, of course, but if you're going to outright call it a D8, you've gotta have apple to win me over.

I also think it's a bit weird to call it a D8 in general. I don't see the need to replicate. Homage is one thing, but copy seems unnecessary.

But, ultimately, I'm probably just being a bit of a wanker about my own personal appreciation for Disston saws. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and I guess it was only a matter of time until someone did it. I'm sure it will be great. Hell, if Bad Axe lives up to their reputation for quality then it may well be the best full sized hand saw in production today.

I'll be excited to read someone's review, but I'll stick to the centenarians hanging in my wall cabinet for future sawing needs.

Cheers,
Luke

Oh, and another thing... Why is it not offered in a 28" length!?!? The 28" thumbhole 5tpi D8 is one of the most classic Disston models ever.

"Sad!"

Originally Posted by Luke Maddux

I'm extremely happy to see one of the high end manufacturers stepping up to the plate and finally being willing to sell a hammer tensioned, taper ground hand saw. That's been a long time coming

Not as long as you may think.

Disston D-8 replica

Luke

The pricing at $375 is for a 24" saw with the standard handle. Go to a thumbhole and 26" and you are over the $400 mark and if you select a different timber it is more again. Interestingly if you provide your own timber it is an extra $50. Ummm. I don't think they want to fiddle with that.

Regards
Paul

Originally Posted by Bushmiller

Luke

The pricing at $375 is for a 24" saw with the standard handle. Go to a thumbhole and 26" and you are over the $400 mark and if you select a different timber it is more again. Interestingly if you provide your own timber it is an extra $50. Ummm. I don't think they want to fiddle with that.

Regards
Paul

I hear you. The fact that it costs more to supply them with the lumber for the handle is strange. I assume they are using a CNC to make the handles and milling down one specific piece to fit the machine is time consuming? Or maybe the CNC is designed to make multiple handles in one run, and doing a run of only one handle takes time? There must be a reason.

I guess there are just people out there who can't seem to face the idea of buying a used, antique tool. Anxiety about sharpening/retoothing likely has something to do with it as well. I'm sure they'll sell a lot of these and the owners will be very happy with them. It's a shame that some of the many unused and unloved D8s will miss out on adoption, but I guess that's more for you and me, Paul.

Cheers,
Luke

Did anyone else notice the design weakness within the Bad Axe Thumb Hole saw handle. http://www.badaxetoolworks.com/pdf/2...Newsletter.pdf

People are odd animals.

Despite what some people are trying to charge for them, the real thing is hardly a rare item and can be had for well under 100 bucks retail in good condition.

Or if you are prepared to go out in the mud looking yourself, for a lot less than that.

Call my a tight azz, but the thought of shelling out 400 bucks for a copy is just plain wrong.

AND. If the market was prepared to pay even half of that 400 for the real thing, then people like me who do go out in the mud would be inclined to save a hell of a lot more saws than we do.

As things stand, I will walk past any D8 which is not an outstanding candidate for a rebirth. Perfect handle, full plate, good even teeth, full etch. Because the demand is not strong enough to make it worthwhile.

Originally Posted by planemaker

Did anyone else notice the design weakness within the Bad Axe Thumb Hole saw handle. http://www.badaxetoolworks.com/pdf/2...Newsletter.pdf

Nope, Stewie. It looks pretty close to identical with the genuine article I own. Can you enlighten me?

I have enough dinky-di Disstons to see me out, so I won't be rushing out to buy a Bad-axe hand saw any time soon. But I'm glad someone is making more 'real' saws. Usage, neglect & our arch-enemy rust mean we must run out of usable oldies at some point. So for the few hand-toolers working the last bits of available wood in another 100 years from now, at least there might still be a few good saws available......

Cheers,

Cheers,

This is a typical D8
P1000827.jpg



I think the two points marked in red are significantly thinner on the Bad Axe saw.

P1000828_LI.jpg


Is that what you had noticed Stewie? I only saw this after you had pointed it out. I don't dislike the look and it may still be strong enough, but I agree the timber has been "reduced" there. The real weakness of all timber handsaws is the horns. Not much you can do about that if you wish to retain a semblance of style and we all like a little razzmatazz.

Regards
Paul

Paul; those 2 areas of the handle you highlighted concern me on the Bad Axe version.

Stewie;

I would say that there are a number of areas of reinforcement. The strength comes from a combination of points.

Plus, frankly I cannot see any difference in that area ....



Further, I cannot see any issue with the saw nuts - they are in the same position, the thumb hole looks essentially the same (I do not see the lowered entry on the side to be an issue of weakness as one pushes from the palm/rear of handle), the hang looks the same ...

Regards from Perth

Derek

Originally Posted by Bushmiller

The pricing at $375 is for a 24" saw with the standard handle. Go to a thumbhole and 26" and you are over the $400 mark and if you select a different timber it is more again.

If the blade grinding is being outsourced and is done on a surface grinder I think the price may reflect the cost of production. A piece of 0.042" steel big enough to make such a saw runs about $35 if bought in small lots.

The Lie Nielsen panel saws are also taper ground and though I haven't mapped one they look to be surface ground. They go for $225 and are relatively small at 20". The 0.030" stock that they're made from is around 30% less expensive than the 0.042". Pax handsaws are also done on a surface grinder and LV sells them for $109 for a 22".

I have a D-8 that was made sometime after 1928 but before the end of WW2 that is the least consistent in terms of blade hardness of any other Disston saw I have. It has a number of hard spots that go up to HRC 56 or so.

Originally Posted by IanW

But I'm glad someone is making more 'real' saws. Usage, neglect & our arch-enemy rust mean we must run out of usable oldies at some point. So for the few hand-toolers working the last bits of available wood in another 100 years from now, at least there might still be a few good saws available......

Indeed Ian. If nobody is currently making large saws then those skills will die, and they'll never be made again. Can't have that can we?

Originally Posted by derekcohen

......Plus, frankly I cannot see any difference in that area ....

Me too neither. I compared the pic of the Bad Axe with a pic of my on saw & it looked too close to call. I wouldn't be surprised if they made their template from an old Disston handle - it looks nearly identical, if you allow for slightly different shaping.

Those areas do look skimpy, I'll allow, but I guess the proof of the pudding is that I've not seen a handle broken at that point (has anyone else?). On the other hand, an awful lot have had their top horns traumatically amputated.....

Cheers,