Reply To: Hand Saws

@ Jesper Thorson : re Pax Handsaws

I have one of the 28″ Pax rip saws and for the money it is a decent enough saw.  However the handle is not what I would call “good”.  I’ve been experimenting with re-shaping it and it may eventually have to come off and be replaced altogether.   I have located one other person who has tried to removed the handle and found that it was improperly attached, it seems the steel plate was drilled at the same time as the handle causing the exit burr to jam inside the handle and thus make it nearly impossible to remove (http://www.theunpluggedwoodshop.com/the-good-the-bad-and-the.html).  As I haven’t yet removed mine, I can’t say if mine has the same issue.

But the saw arrived in good order, I found the set to be OK, if perhaps a bit on the wide side.  The blade is slightly tapered but I’m not entirely certain if this is something done at the manufacture or just a coincidence with the normal manufacturing variance of the steel.  Sharp and cuts well.  Being 6′ 4″ and having arms like a spider-monkey, a 28″ rip saw fits me just fine.

But I would not recommend a full size (26″ to 28″) coarse tooth rip saw to anybody as a first rip saw.  I’d suggest instead getting one of the dirt-common 20″ to 24″ models with a good clean, straight plate for about $5 at a garage sale and file the teeth first.  You get to both practice your sharpening (easy with a rip saw) AND the shorter saws are easier to learn with and use at the bench.  But it is great fun to chew along 1″ or more per stroke with the big saws! 🙂