Reply To: Zona Dovetail Saw
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I bought one some time back to play with. I think I got it for $10 including the shipping.
1) very fine teeth so works better on material thinner than 1/2″ and cuts better in hardwood than softwood
2) even though it looks like a back saw, it cuts on the pull stroke
3) crappy handle, too small for my hand and I don’t really like the “gents saw” style anyway
4) saw plate very thin, good for fine kerfs, bad for not accidentally kinking the plate — don’t loan it out like I did
I’d suggest you either keep looking for a nice vintage one that doesn’t need much restoration or consider the LeeValley dovetail saw, 14TPI & rip. Get on LV’s mailing list so you will be notified of free-shipping days (I’m assuming you are in the USA or Canada, don’t know if free shipping applied in the UK).
Probably the biggest down side to the LV saw is that the handle hang seems a little high to me. I’ve borrowed other “modern” saws from friends and used some vintage ones that had a lower hang and it felt more natural. But for $70 new, I’ve adjusted to it and it doesn’t bother me the way it did when I first got it.
Fixed pitch but simple enough to gradually create a progressive pitch during sharpening if you are so inclined. I’m not as it starts just hunky-dory for me. YMMV.