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Veritas is set to release two new backsaws in the next couple weeks that are based on the same architecture as the Canadian company’s very successful dovetail saw.
The saws were available in the Lee Valley booth at the Woodworking in America conference last weekend, and lots of the attendees gave them a test drive.
The two news saw include a fine-tooth dovetail saw with 20 teeth per inch (tpi) and a crosscut saw with 16 tpi. Both new saws have the same high-tech spine that is made from stainless steel powder and a polymer resin. The blade on the new saws is the same .02″-thick high-carbon steel. What’s different is the tooth filing.
The fine dovetail saw is filed with 20 tpi, is a rip saw and is filed with a 14Ã?° rake. The fine tooth count makes the saw optimal for dovetailing drawers with sides that are 1/2″ thick or less. The relaxed rake makes the saw easy to start. I used the saw in both 3/4″- and 1/2″-thick maple and found it a little slow in the maple. So if you are looking for one saw for drawers and carcasses, you will find this saw slow when working in 3/4″-thick material.
However, if you work in thinner materials, this saw is excellent.
The other saw is a 16 tpi crosscut saw with a 15�° rake. Think of it as a small carcase saw. It cuts quickly and smoothly. My only complaint is I wish the blade were longer, like a true carcase saw (that style of saw is in the works, according to a Lee Valley Tools official).
Both of these saws are nicely balanced and feel to the hand like a well-made 19th-century saw. They are shipped sharp, well-set and ready to go out of the box. Add to that the fact that each of these saws costs $65, and you’ll know why Veritas has had such a positive response to its first dovetail saw.
Veritas also showed a clever adaptation of its Wonder Dog. I’ll write about that product later in the week. Not because I am lazy, but because I am stupid. I left the photos in my camera at home.
– Christopher Schwarz
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I used the leev valley DT saw at show and felt it worked very well. If I didn’t already own an Adria saw i would buy one.
The more I use the saw the prettier it gets.
Scott
Just as ugly as the dovetail saw.
Thanks for the update. I’m holding off a carcase saw purchase to wait for the longer Lee Valley version (even though I don’t like the look). I just can’t afford the others, even though I’m sure they are worth the money. I want to try hand cutting tenons.