Hello

I need a new Dovetail saw. I've been using a Japanese version for a few years now, but... have never felt too comfortable with them. I don't like the handles and the light weight. They have good blades though.
I grew up with pistol grip saws, with a nice, weighty brass back for balance and stability... I think it's about time I had another

I like the look of the Lie Nielsen dovetail saw.
I also looked at the Rob Cosman saws (man he can cut a nice dovetail)
I've used Pax before, but have recently heard they are slipping in quality. I don't know if this is right or not.
Lee Valley also has a new dovetail saw out. It doesn't have the brass back, but some other kind of moulded material.

I'm leaning towards the Lie Nielsen, I don't have any of their tools so any information from users here would be nice

Cheers!
Okami

I would love a Rob Cosman saw but at 600.00 I would have to be cutting dovetails everyday for the cost/benefit to work out in my favor.

I dont think you can go wrong with anything Lie Nielson so that would be the saw I would go with.

I am in the same boat as you, Okami, I am also looking to pick up a nice dovetail saw. I just dont want to give my firstborn to get a decent one. I have also used a pull saw for dovetails with decent results but am considering a western style saw as well.

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Fullerbuilt
Fine Carpentry for Custom Interiors
www.fullerbuilt.com

I was just at the craftmanstudio website and checked out the Lie Nielson dovetail saw.

i cant believe that a Cosman saw would be twice the saw a Lie Nielson would be. I am of the opinion that twice the quality will justify 4x the cost.

I am going to pick up a Lie Nielson today or tommorrow. I guess I will have to pick up another chisel or 2 as well. I have a coffee table with 8 drawers to build and machine cut dovetails will not do.

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Fullerbuilt
Fine Carpentry for Custom Interiors
www.fullerbuilt.com

The Cosman saws are $257.(U.S.) unless you want the presentation model which is $605.

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a 2009 Festool® catalog, 2010 Festool® catalog supplement requested.

"In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice there is." - Yogi Berra (1925-)

"Whether you THINK YOU CAN, or THINK YOU CAN'T, You're right!"

"When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don't adjust the goals, adjust the action steps." Confucius (551-479 BCE) philosopher

Although the Rob Cosman saw sounds great, like You mentioned Eiji, it's pretty expensive $260
I also looked at Wenzloff & Sons. Nice saws
I just ordered the Lie Nielsen My first Lie Nielsen tool I hope there's many more to come
Cheers!
Okami

Okami, I have several Lie-Nielsen tools, and I don't think you'll be disappointed.

As you know, I have a very strict policy against allowing any of my tools to actually touch wood, so I can't comment on how well any of them might perform.

However, I do know that both the quality of manufacture and the customer service of Lie-Nielsen are superb.

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John

1 Toolie, 2 XL Festool Polos

I'm sure that Fred will jump in here. I think he has an Adria saw that he really likes (though it could have been some other maker). I like the design on the new Lee Valley saw - they really think their products through, and redesign them with modern materials and methods. That being said, the LN saw looks like a beauty!

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I don't have as many Festools as Fred

Okami,

As Plerqert mentioned I do have the Adria Dovetail and Tenon saws and they are great. At the time it seemed that Lie-Nielsen and Adria were the primary choices. This was probably six or seven years ago. I went with Adria only because everything else I had was Lie-Nielsen and just wanted a little change. However they are both great tools and you will be very, very happy. I am also very anxious to check out the new Andrew Lunn saw as well as the double handled saw by Kevin Drake of Glen-Drake. Kevin's saw is very funky looking but looks like it is well worth checking out.

Now, aside from all of that, when are you going to try a Lie-Nielsen plane dude????? You must bite the bullet and get one. They are worth EVERY penny and more.

Fred

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Kapex, OF2200,Domino,TS 75, Trion PS 300, RO 150, ETS 150/5, ETS 150/3, DTS 400, RS 400, LS 130, RS 2, Deltex 93, RAS 115, CT 33, CT 22, CT Midi, OF 1400, MFK 700, C 12, LR 32 3 MFT/3s, 3 MFT 1080s, 4 Sysports, 2 Walko's, Marcou's S20A, M12, S45, VSP 40

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a 2009 Festool® catalog, 2010 Festool® catalog supplement requested.

"In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice there is." - Yogi Berra (1925-)

"Whether you THINK YOU CAN, or THINK YOU CAN'T, You're right!"

"When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don't adjust the goals, adjust the action steps." Confucius (551-479 BCE) philosopher

Ron,

I love my bevel up planes and just as Lonnie Bird's article mentions they are much easier to tune and use. I currently have my apron and block planes, my low angle smoother, jack and jointer and they are so easy to use. Get yourself at least one extra blade per each bevel up plane and sharpen it at a higher angle to give yourself two planes for each plane.

Fred

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Kapex, OF2200,Domino,TS 75, Trion PS 300, RO 150, ETS 150/5, ETS 150/3, DTS 400, RS 400, LS 130, RS 2, Deltex 93, RAS 115, CT 33, CT 22, CT Midi, OF 1400, MFK 700, C 12, LR 32 3 MFT/3s, 3 MFT 1080s, 4 Sysports, 2 Walko's, Marcou's S20A, M12, S45, VSP 40