Replies

1. 
   Handrubbed | May 15, 2009 02:52am | #1

   I saw (!) one in person.   They are a short saw.  You might call it a toolbox saw.  I'm sure they will have a 26" saw coming up soon.  L-N saws are great, and this is one of the only modern taper ground saws made.

2. 
   RRusso | May 19, 2009 02:25am | #2

   Went to their HTE specifically to try one out. Once there, got distracted shooting the breeze with Chris and Deneb. Ran out of time but remembered, on my way out, the main reason I was there.

   Like Handrubbed said, it was small and seemed very lightweight. Nice balance, nice handle, like all their stuff. Didn't even ask if I could try it out since I was already running way late. I'm sure it cuts like it looks and feels. However...

   $225.00 makes it a luxury item for me, because it's a preliminary, roughing-out tool whose quality of cut or ease of use won't be evident when the project is finished.

3. 
   gdblake | May 19, 2009 04:34am | #3

   I made several cuts in 3/4" thick hardwood with the 7 tpi rip and both the 8 tpi & 12 tpi crosscuts at the Lie-Nielsen Hand Tool Event in Cincinnati.  The handles are nice, hate the orange stain.  All the saws cut extremely well and tracked to a line nicely.  In spite of how light these saws are, the weight of the saw is all that's needed to keep it in the curf.  The 12 tpi crosscut was nearly as fast cutting as the 8 tpi so if I were buying, given how small these saws are I'd go for the finer teeth (get a full sized old Disston for rough cuts).  The thin saw plate made for effortless sawing, but forces you to be steady and straight with your stroke or they flex very easily.  Given how small and light these saws are, I was surprised at how fast they cut.  The saws seem to be well made.  I asked Thomas Lie-Nielsen if he planned on coming out with 26" saws and he said it depends on how well the panel saws are received.

   Personally, I struggled with how short the saws are, I'm use to taking a longer stroke.  The lightness of the saws took some getting use to as well, you really need to go light on your grip to let the saw naturally hang perpendicular to the work.  I'm use to long, heavy, old saws.  I haven't ever used classic saws by another modern day manufacturer so I can't compare these to others on the market.  On another posting, Adam has made the point that the tooth configuration is what really determines how well a saw cuts.  Even though I have used hand saws for over 40 years, I am just now learning to sharpen my own saws and have a long way to go before I have a working understanding of rake, pitch, & fleam so I'm not even going to try to go there. 

   Please pardon an extra brag comment.  I told Thomas Lie-Nielsen I'd really like for him to come out with a larger tenon saw.  He offered to custom make me a 16" with 4 3/16" depth of cut, 11 tpi rip and no ugly orange stain on the handle.  I took him up on the offer and forked over the cash.  He said I should receive my custom tenon saw in about four weeks.  Thomas is a really personable, approachable guy who obviously appreciates his customers and truly cares about the quality of his products.  After having meet him, I like all of my Lie-Nielsen tools even better.

   gdblake

   
   

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   Edited 5/19/2009 12:29 am ET by gdblake

1. 
   lokiloki1 | May 21, 2009 03:35am | #4

   Thank you all for your input.  I have several other LN saws and like them very much.  For what I'm going to use it for the short length is probably going to to be a big plus.

1. 
   Handrubbed | Jun 05, 2009 10:05pm | #5

   If you like a short saw for cut offs and work around the bench, take a look at the Wenzloff half-back saw in 20-22" length. These are great because they are short, but have stiffness due to the half-length spine. They can't be beat for purpose. Some of the other boutique saw makers are offering them too.

   Edited 6/5/2009 7:38 pm ET by Handrubbed

   Edited 6/5/2009 7:38 pm ET by Handrubbed

1. 
   derekcohen | Jun 06, 2009 06:14am | #6

   Agreed.

   Wenzloff...

   View Image

   Regards from Perth

   Derek

2. 
   PADDYDAHAT | Jun 06, 2009 06:40am | #7

   Well said, I have my Daddy's Distons, a monster rip, a nice cross cut and my Atkins cc but the saw I now take back and forth from NY to Tn is Mike's #8 half back. It is a sweet saw for $189 from LV and just right for bench work when you only need a few cuts and don't want to crank up the ts or chop saw, the DC and the ear muffs. Paddy