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Online Exclusive:
A Classic Bowsaw
This low-tech tool still has appeal
by Tom Begnal
Once upon a time, before we learned to harness the power of electricity, the bowsaw was a workhorse in any woodworking shop. Then along came power tools, and, for the most part, the bowsaw was relegated to extended periods of hang-time in the darker and dustier places of the shop. But for woodworkers who enjoy using hand tools, the bowsaw remains valued even today. Not only does it rip and crosscut, it can also resaw and cut joints. And you can use it all day long without adding a penny to your monthly electric bill.
As you might expect, bowsaw manufacturers are few and far between these days. So I was interested to learn that Woodjoy Tools has recently begun making them.
Using a traditional design, the saw is available in two sizes; 18 in. and 24 in. The handles, sides and stretcher are made from hard maple. A 3/8-in. wide, 6 tooth-per-inch (tpi) steel blade mounts to a 3/8-in. dia. brass pin on the end of each handle, creating sturdy attachment points.
Small bowsaws often use a loop of rawhide, twisted by a hardwood tab, to apply tension to the blade. But, in my experience, rawhide has a tendency to break. Woodjoy addressed the problem by substituting some 50 individual pieces of waxed twine for the rawhide. As a result, I could apply plenty of tension.
Also, the key has a neat feature found only occasionally on old bowsaws. It's made from two parts, what I call a housing and a tab. With the two-part feature, the tab slides inside the housing, so the tab doesn't get pinched by the cord. That a plus because, when pinched, it's difficult to slide the tab behind the stretcher in order to "lock" the key in place.
In use, the blade cuts aggressively, ideal if you're looking to cut quickly. A finer-tooth blade would be a nice option for those occasions when I want a smoother cut. But, at this point, only the 6 tpi blade is available.
The 18-in. saw I tested weighed in at just about 2 lb., so weight isn't a big issue. As bowsaws go, the grip felt reasonably comfortable in my average-sized hands. The finish, along with the general construction, is excellent.
Both the 18-in. and 24-in. sizes bowsaws sell for $98. For more information, contact Woodjoy Tools at 508-669-5245 or www.woodjoytools.com.
Tom Begnal is an associate editor for Fine Woodworking.
Photo: Tom Begnal
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