I have read some good reviews on the new Veritas dovetail saw. It is being compared to the L-N dovetail saw but at half the price. I spent some time with Rob Cosman a couple weeks ago and he has his own saw coming out soon that he says is better then the L-N saw but is going to sell it for $200.00. I have been the Japanese pull saw route but would like to try a Western saw, has anyone bought the new Veritas saw and how do you like it. Rob Cosman's new saw will have 20 TPI in the first couple inches to help get your cut started and the rest of the saw will be 15 TPI. Since using a Western style saw will be new, what experience do you hand tool guys have.
I tried this saw at the Woodworking in America conference in November. My first impression after trying it was that it was a great saw at a great price. I ordered two at the conference, and now, after using it for several months my initial impressions have been proven.
It cuts a thin, clean cut. Cuts stright and fast. Feels good in the hand. And the price can not be beat.
I stared at it long and hard last weekend.
This weekend, I bought one at the show. 10% off and free shipping pushed me over the edge. Fantastic cutting/ugly saw.
I say ugly, as its different than a traditional made saw.
It'll probably be here the end of the week.
__________________ *I doubt I get invited to sit at the Royal Table*
TowMater 2/9/09
Not traditional maybe, but I don't see the "ugly" there.
That's right Dave, That's the one. It isn't ugly, it just isn't conventional, and people have not warmed to it's look. The look I feel is very reminiscent of other products in the brand. It is however well suited to the work and the price is very nice for a western dovetail saw.
Dave - I'll agree there. The thing is, this dovetail saw is cut right from the same cloth as the new block planes. Kind of aerodynamic, but not traditional.
This of course is coming from a guy who has neither....but would like to have either...
Time will tell whether Veritas has made the right choice to break from the pack in looks.
Time will tell whether Veritas has made the right choice to break from the pack in looks.
Veritas did. Traditional looks isn't possible at that price point. The traditional dovetail saw is a back saw and backsaws are very labor intensive. The veritas design eliminates the labor a great deal, and as such, you can buy in for about half as much Moolah...
That is a Wenzloff Dovetail Saw. Pre-Medallion, and the last Cocobolo that will ever be worked by the Wenzloffs. They are now deathly allergic, particularly the sons. The saw though, it's the product of cutting out a piece of steel and hand sharpening teeth onto it, cutting, milling and mounting the brass back. The handle has a number of cutting, rasping, filing, and sanding operations. Fitting the handle to the blade is quite a piece of doing for a perfect and tight fit.
Some of what this traditional replica saw is is hard to automate. As such it is hand made by some people who have some pretty special skills, when you consider they have to make a lot of saws as fast as they can. That is why it costs twice as much as the Veritas... Still it is the traditional saw you can't buy anywhere else. The Veritas is a Saw that puts woodworker into a western style saw. Woodworking for the want of a saw.
I gotta agree with Rob - I think this is a very smart move on Veritas' part. It's a performance DT saw at half the price of (almost) anything else on the market. The only thing even close is the Gramercy kit - which I think is a steal, but you have to like making tools - or at least handles...
For a complete, ready-to-go saw at this price, i think the looks really don't matter at all -- well, as long as it's not chartreuse with candy-cane stripes or something. I don't really like the looks of the Veritas a whole lot, but if you close your eyes, it's a phenomenal DT saw. Course, your kerf may wander, but...
There are a lot of people out there who really don't care AT ALL about the looks of a tool. This is perfect for them. There are also a lot of people who can't see spending $140 or so for a DT saw. This lets them get in the same performance range for $65. People who also like tools for appearance (and I'll admit to being one of them) will pony up the extra for a traditional model.
Veritas dovetail saw
10% off and free shipping pushed me over the edge. Fantastic cutting/ugly saw.
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