Official Luthiers Forum!

I had my old, unnamed backsaw for years that I picked up at the hardware store. I hit some staples in some wood and ruined it. It would cost more to get it sharpened than a new one. Stopped at Lowes and got a Kobalt--piece of junk and won't cut. Any recommendations for a decent brand?

A good hand saw is more than a piece of steel . I have an old Stanley . I don't use them much . I do use a small razor saw .

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John Hall
blues creek guitars
Authorized CF Martin Repair
Co President of ASIA
You Don't know what you don't know until you know it

A Japanese Dozuki is my favorite.

I started out mostly with Japanese saws, but in the last 10 years there has been an explosion of availability in quality western style saws, and as long as the saw is well made the results are up to the sawyer. While there are all these custom and boutique saws available today, I find the Lee Valley saw they brought out recently is as good as some and a lot cheaper, also warmer in the hand in a cold shop. That said, I only tried/own their dovetail version, haven't tried the crosscut. But I would be confident. For a long time the woodworking tool business consisted of supplying tools that didn't work. That has changed and the better makers now supply the real goods.

I don't remember why any more, but I cut fret slots with an eclipse hacksaw. The slots are undersized and get enlarged with a "proper" fretsaw. I think the eclipse teeth (these days all eastern rip offs) are just the right size for getting such a long flat cut underway.