Suggestions for tenon saw

[mkat]

Does anyone have a suggestion for a not too expensive (< $70 if possible) tenon saw (12" or there abouts)? I saw the Spear & Jackson at Bunnings, any comments on that saw?

The Pax saws are too expensive for me at CT and may even be at LV due to postage costs.

[Green Woodchips]

Mate, I wouldn't be giving the new S&J the time of day.

An old one, on the other hand ...

Honestly, at the sub $70 mark you're going to have only two options worth considering (IMHO).

Either you buy something old from a dealer or a garage sale or eBay and restore it (which will prob leave you some change from $70), or you buy a Japanese dozuki (which will leave you a little change from $70 or none at all).

An old saw well-sharpened can be a real epiphany. There are lots of good brands worth considering ... old S&J, Disston, Warranted Superior, Jackson, Atkins, Sanderson & Newbould, Tyzack, Taylor, Nurse etc. Just make sure it's a straight blade with no cracks. Learning to sharpen and set a saw is a piece of cake.

If you pick up an old saw and then pick up the new Bunnies S&J, I can tell you straight away what you'll notice: the old handle is so much more comfortable (esp if it's pre-WWII).

You will certainly notice a difference between the new Bunnies S&J and a new Jap saw - namely one has a stick for a handle! But don't let this put you off. I picked up a Japanese saw for the first time about a month ago, and I've enjoyed every moment using it.

Others here have had success with some of the cheaper Crown saws etc. so I'm sure they'll chime in with their two cents' worth. Still others might encourage you to save, save, save and buy the Adria or LN or Pax or Wenzloff.

Cheers,
GW

[silentC]

Pick up an old one from a market and learn how to sharpen it. That way you wont get upset if you stuff it up. I paid $15 for mine and guess what? It cuts!!

[Farm boy]

http://collectables.listings.ebay.co...istingItemList
e bay have a few tennons for sale at the moment
cheers
greg

[mkat]

Thanks all, sounds good. I searched the forums after I posted, unfortunately, and the comments that struck me were similar to the above.

I do have a Dozuki (nice and straight), but I read somewhere that maybe the western style saws handle some of the Australian hardwood better, and I just want to use that for precision cutting only in say rosewood.

Anyway, finding even an old saw that's straight around here is proving difficult. All the saws that I looked at yesterday didn't have a straight blade except one out of 3 S & J, either did the old ones at the markets. I've also been looking on ebay.

GW & SilentC, I've read up on the Bob Smalser tutorial which is excellent. So, thanks for steering me toward the old and rusty. I should've known better...

Off to the markets again...