For the modern woodworker, a collection of back saws are indispensable for case joinery and other exacting cuts. The stiff steel or brass spine hold the blade rigid and the weight is handy for just the right balance to power through the cut.

Unfortunately, finding good quality vintage back saws is becoming increasingly difficult. For the most part, quality back saws ceased to be made in the US in the 1950s. England continued to make a good saw, but by the late 1980s, production there had ceased too. All that remains in current production are a few examples of specialized saws.

In general, most woodworking tasks can be completed with 3 backsaws. A dovetail saw which is

8-10" long with 14-16 ppi rip teeth, a 10-12" long back saw with 12-14" ppi cross cut teeth, and a 14-18" back saw cut with 8-10 ppi rip teeth. While the dovetail saw is used for dedicated work on carcase joinery, the back saw with cross cut teeth is for general cuts across the grain for joinery, not the least of which is tenon shoulders. The longer backsaw is ideal for cutting tenon cheeks...rip teeth are perfect for this task. Obviously, the higher the blade, the longer the tenon possible.

Also available are select mitre saws. Mire saws are usually differentiated from back saws by the ogee curve on the heel under the handle. While designed primarily for use with a mitre box, they do come in handy for certain specialized tasks such as precise cuts in timber framing . Mitre saws, as the name suggests, are used exclusively for cross cuts, and almost always are outfitted with 11-12 ppi teeth.

All the saws below are first rate saws. Condition at a minimum is good, usually good plus to fine. The price reflects the relatively scarcity and the overall condition. You should expect that all saws below have good quality blades and handles that are intact with no damage. Exceptions to this rule are noted. As with all our saws, the saws below arrive freshly sharpened and set, ready to cut. The pitch of all saws is noted. If you are interested in a saw but prefer another pitch or tooth profile (rip instead of cross cut), this can be easily done for an additional $25 charge. Expect that the blade height noted will be reduced by approximately 3/16". If you would like a pitch profile other than that which is present on the saw, please indicate your preference in the comments section of the order form when checking out.

Finally, many have saws that have served well for many years, or perhaps bought a saw at auction with a short or soft blade. If you have a saw that needs a new quality blade, we also offer this service. If you send us your saw, we will install a new high quality spring steel blade hardened to 52 rockwell and cut and filed to your preference. We have provided a table below which gives our recommendations with respect to tooth pitch and nominal blade height for each saw blade length. You can also ask us to reblade any of the saws below for the cost of the saw plus the blade cost. One you have submitted your order and payment, we will be in touch with shipping instructions and to confirm your tooth profile and pitch preferences.

If you have visited here before, you will know that most saws that are offered go quickly. This is especially true of back saws. Try one of these saws in your shop today, and turn on your band or table saw less often. You'll be glad you did!

7-8 ppi rip / 10-12 ppi cc

9-10 ppi rip / 11-13 ppi cc

10 ppi rip / 13 ppi cc

12 ppi rip / 14 ppi cc

B1 1945 era 8 point rip backsaw rates good+ overall. The blade on this saw was shot, but the back and handle were in good shape. As such, I made a new blade out of high quality spring steel which measures 52C on the Rockwell Scale...4 points harder than the original. Handle is beech with 95% finish. The 18" blade measures 4 1/8" under the spine. Great for ripping deep tenons. $240

B2 1890 era 12 point cross cut rates fine- overall. Blade measures 18" by 3 7/8" high. Blade clean with a few pits back from the edge. Apple very nice which retains much of the blade label which was glued to it when it left the plant. a nice example of an early saw $210

B3 1890 era Harvey Peace 13 ppi cross cut rates fine overall. Blade measures 18" by 3 5/8" high. Apple handle is exceptional with the patented feature of a saw bolt through the spine. Early Munger patent nuts on this saw make this a great example of the best of an early saw maker. $250