This test evaluated 11 Western-style dovetail saws, from $10 to $125. I used each one extensively in cherry, oak, and maple, making cuts with the grain and across it. I observed how fast each saw cut, the ease with which it started a cut, how smooth the saw was throughout the cut, and how well it tracked a line. I also checked the saw’s quality of construction and ergonomics. 

Although it took me a while to get used to the hang of the Adria saw, once I did, the tool was impressive. The factory sharpening job is superior, making it the fastest-cutting saw of those tested, in spite of its short length. It left a thin, clean kerf and tracked a dead-straight line. The tradeoff with its speed is that the saw was slightly more difficult to start. The Adria is my choice for best overall in the pistol-grip category.  

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