Fast-Cutting Backsaw Does it all

I use backsaws frequently in my work, and I’m always curious about what’s new on the market. Lie-Nielsen, Lee Valley, Gramercy, Wenzloff, and Adria make high quality saws. But after using the new Bad Axe hybrid backsaw recently, I think these high-end sawmakers have some serious competition. Bad Axe Tool Works has been around for a while, but not many people know about them. They offer a lot of saw choices, and each type can be customized to your liking, from the handle material and size to the blade back and hardware. The hybrid saw I tested was very comfortable to hold. The custom-sized handle fit my hand well, and the saw was well-balanced. The folded blade back holds the thin plate in tension, which helps keep it firm and rigid.

What’s most impressive is the hybrid tooth pattern (14 tpi), which is a cross between a rip and a crosscut. The saw starts easily, tracks a line effortlessly, and cuts fast and smooth, both with and across the grain. I also like the 12-in. length. I gang up parts for dovetailing—when I’m making a bunch of drawers, for instance—and the long stroke easily handles the thicker mass of these paired-up boards. All Bad Axe saws come with a one-year warranty and offer a sharpening service for a nominal fee.

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