Thread: S+J Tenon Saw ($61) - is it a decent saw

Or perhaps this one from "Footprint"?

Its $106

Footprint 256 Brass Back Tenon Saw 10in : Amazon



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Rex Kruger does a review of (probably) that S&J saw; initially he panned it but after reshaping the handle and knocking off most of the set he made it work.

Make a budget backsaw AWESOME. Total upgrade! - YouTube

Hi WP,

The S+J is my first and only tenon saw, also bought from amazon.

Inspired by Rex Kruger video, I've also re-shaped the handle and replaced the pins with slotted screws - post #18 on the following link Saw Handle. Bear in mind that the factory set isn't crash hot, the kerf on mine was too wide with an odd pattern (repeated groups of 3 teeth in a left, right, straight pattern) - post #32. Fortunately, IanW kindly helped me with the initial sharpening and adjustment of the amount of set.

Considering the price I'm happy with the saw. It's my workhorse, though mostly used for cross-cutting and rough dimensioning.

Cheers,
Andy

I bought that S and J saw as well, I also modified it inspired by Rex Kruger, see my post here AJ's Projects

I am pretty happy with it. At the time I found Bunnings to have the best price, mind you I never have and probably never will buy anything from Amazon.

Cheers Andrew

I got mine from Bunnings (special order). It cuts timber and I resharpen it... Does what a saw should do! I have not bothered changing the handle. Maybe one day!

Hi WP. Pretty sure Paul Sellars has given them good reviews too.

Originally Posted by woodPixel

Is this Tenon saw by Spear and Jackson a decent sort of saw? ...

I looked at an S&J tenon saw a couple of years ago, and finally did not buy it for two reasons:

• The handle was a little small for my hand size, and
• The arrisses (see arrows) are uncomfortably sharp and prominent.

Tennon Saw - S&J.jpg

Eventually I bought a Lynx saw by E Garlick and Sons; essentially the same criticisms apply! And eventually I will replace the handle. ... eventually ...

Tennon Saw - Lynx.jpg
In retrospect, I should have bought a good second hand saw and fettled it as per Rex Kruger plus IanW and Bushmiller in this Forum. Most saws are $5 each at local tip shop!

Then there is the Bad Axe tenon saw at a trifling $475 each, for their entry level model!

Tennon Saw - Bad Axe.jpg www.thetoolworks.com.au/product-category/the-toolworks/bad-axe-saws/

The BadAxe ones are crazy expensive.

I also follow Heritage Saws and Skelton Saws which are also a TAD more than I'd care to pay.

I see the art in them however. They are beautiful.


For now I need something more... economical

WP if you're going to be knocking the set off the teeth and refining the handle, you may as well get a second hand one to refurb. You're going to have to sharpen the new one eventually anyway - may as well get it over with now. It is surprisingly easy sharpening a rip cut pattern. I've only sharpened a handful of times but even after the first admittedly not so great sharpening, the beaten down old Disston back saw was transformed. Now that I've got a Wenzloff cross cut, I tend to use that where I can -just because- but previously I'd use a 14tpi rip cut to crosscut without thinking much of it.

Originally Posted by GraemeCook

Most saws are $5 each at local tip shop!

Maybe it's just Brisbane but it's a struggle finding second hand backsaws here (or I'm doing something very wrong). Or Bushmiller has bought them all.

The S&J tenon saw is a good enough saw and as others have said the handle can be reshaped a bit if you feel like it. I got the footprint one a few years back and while a fine saw dont expect it to work right out of the box. There was so little set on it that it would bind in the cut. A touch up sharpen and applied a little set now its really good.
Regards
John

I had a look around at the various option on Ebay and Gumtree.

Man o man do some people think some old junk is "worth something".

Pitted like the moon surface, as rusty as the Titanic and more kinks than a Formula1 track.

Junk. Absolute junk... but $150 BeCaUsE My DaD uSeD iT.....



I thinking about how much I enjoyed the thread Bushmiller did on making a rather handsome saw...

Originally Posted by woodPixel

I thinking about how much I enjoyed the thread Bushmiller did on making a rather handsome saw...

Huh, there he goes, down another rabbit hole.

One other option would be to buy one of the commercial saws, an junk there handle completely, an make a handle that fits you perfectly, in shape fit an your desired timber choice.

Cheers Matt