Hey everyone! I'm getting into cutting my first tenons and I'm wondering about the best type of saw to use. I came across the Pax Tenon Saw at Lee Valley, which is listed as a crosscut saw, but the image shows it being used for a rip cut. Is this normal, or would a true tenon saw typically be rip cut? Should I have both kinds of saws, or is a crosscut saw enough for cutting the cheeks and shoulders of tenons? Thanks for your help!
5 Answers
Definitely start with a rip saw. It’ll do most jobs well. When you're making crosscuts, just score the wood first. And trust me, sharpening a brand new saw is a good way to learn. Just keep a steady angle when you're filing, and it'll be easier than you think!
I personally opted for a rip-tooth saw for all my joints, including tenons. Rip teeth usually handle crosscuts better than the reverse. I originally bought a simple rip saw, but then ended up with a dozuki that has a hybrid tooth pattern—not too bad on the wallet! Just a heads-up, sharpening saws can be pretty intimidating though.
Yeah, buying an expensive saw does put some pressure on you to get it right eventually! But it might be worth it!
Just stick with a rip saw. I've tried the Pax saws, but honestly, I don’t like the handles—they feel a bit off. But no worries, you can always modify it or make a new handle if that’s the case!
I've always just used a rip-tooth saw for tenons. You can make good shoulder cuts if you mark around the waste with a knife and then chip away with a chisel. This method helps prevent any breakout when you’re cutting.
A tenon saw is usually a backsaw that's filed to rip, so it's pretty odd to see one advertised as crosscut. For the best results, you'll definitely want a rip-cut joinery saw. Historically, most saws were filed rip, so the crosscut design came later, but if you're aiming for accuracy, rip is the way to go.
I totally get you! Saw sharpening seems really daunting. My plan is to invest in a good saw so I'm kinda forced to learn how to sharpen it myself later!