In this article we review, what we believe to be the best tenon saws, currently available on the UK marketplace. These are a type of "back saw" and it's the biggest in the range. They are so named because they have a rigid back that usually made from brass.
These are a very handy item to have in your tool collection if you want to make accurate cuts that need to be perfectly straight and be of a good finish. They are often used along with a mitre block to get perfect angles cut in wood.
There are quite a few of these available as you will see when you read on. Just before we do that, it is worth just a little time to explain, what they are and what they are used for.
We know you are busy, so if you're in a hurry, just go straight over to Irwin 10503534 Jack Hardpoint Tenon Saw 12 inch as we found this to be the best Tenon Saw available in the market right now.
What Is a Tenon Saw Used For?
This particular style of saw is used for cutting fairly small pieces of wood and typically for doing joints.
It is a type of hand saw that uses its stiff edge to keep the saw blade totally straight and rigid while cutting. The edge of the tenon saw can be made from metal or wood and the blade usually has about 13 teeth for every inch of blade so it can do very precise cuts.
The handle of a tenon saw is called a pistol grip. These handles are available with open or closed grips though I always find that the closed grip is much more safe and you always tend to find the open grip more often in the smaller back saws.
A good tenon saw will cost around £10 - £20 though they can be as cheap as £5 and as expensive as £50. With this type of saw I was always recommend spending that bit extra as the type of work you will be doing needs something that's precise and that gives you the same cut time after time.
I found this video very helpful in explaining the different types of these back saws
Best Rated Tenon Saws
Just below you will find a table, where we have placed the tenon saws in order. The order we have used is the highest buyer rated first. In other words we have placed the saws in the order, of what buyers judged their quality to be.
We have also included average UK prices, but be aware that these are always subject to change. Always check on the exact date and time when you are making any purchase. The ratings we update on a regular weekly basis.
if you click on the product name, you will be taken to Amazon UK, where you can read other buyer reviews. In this table we have included the rank, hand saw name, an average price, our rating and a grade.
Please note the prices are averages as they change regularly. Always check any price if you decide to make a purchase. The Rating is out of 5 stars.
Rank | Name | Rating | Price | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 4.8 | £9 | A+ | |
2 | 4.8 | £6 | A | |
3 | 4.7 | £14 | A | |
4 | 4.6 | £21 | A | |
5 | 4.2 | £10.50 | A- |
As you can see, these cost anything from £6 up to £21.
Tenon Saw Summary Reviews
Underneath, we have completed short and concise reviews, on these top 5 products. That way you can see at a glance, which one is the best choice for you.
No 1 Choice - Irwin 10503534 Jack Hardpoint Tenon Saw 12 inch
Xpert range of handsaw
Optimises cutting performance on both the push and pull strokes
Soft-grip handle for user comfort
Comfortable handle
Ideal choice for fine carpentry and can be used with a mitre box
No 2 Choice - Draper Redline 80213 250 mm Soft Grip Hard Point Tenon Saw
Steel blade hardened and tempered
11/12tpi tooth design to allow fast cutting
Sawdust removal in both forward and reverse action
Shock absorbing ergonomic soft grip handle
No 3 Choice - Spear & Jackson B9812 12-inch Predator Tenon Saw
15tpi - fine cut for a smooth, clean cutting action
Solid steel back for maximum rigidity
Ideal for cutting out a tenon and cutting pelmets, moulding, dowelling, coving, skirting, architraves
Comfortable handle - Suregrip soft-feel ergonomic grip with finger guide
No 4 Choice - Spear and Jackson Traditional Brass Back Tenon Saw
Universal teeth for general use - cuts along and across the grain
Brass back for maximum rigidity
High carbon steel blade,
precision ground teeth which can be re-sharpened
Comfortable wooden handle, riveted for a secure fix
No 5 Choice - Stanley Faxmax 14 inch Tenon Saw
Check the price on Amazon
Reinforced back for extra rigidity
Handle screwed to blade for extra strength
Triple edged teeth cut on both push and pull
Size: 350mm (14 inch) Teeth: 11 tpi
Tenon Saw Buying Guide
No one manufacturer dominates the market when it comes to tenon saws. You do have quite a few choices to make, so hopefully this buying guide will help. There is nothing fancy about them, it really just comes down to three things.
- The handle
- The blade
- The back
Which Type of handle?
Although it doesn't do any actual cutting the handle is very important to consider when choosing a folding saw. As you will be holding the saw important that the handle is comfortable and be able to withstand wear and tear. A good saw should have an ergonomic handle that you can hold comfortably for a good period of time.
The handle needs be made from a quality material. It should be comfortable and slip resistant like rubber or grooved plastic. Wood is seldom used nowadays in most saws but the tenon saw is the most likely place you will still see it. I actually really like a wooden handle.
What blades Are Available?
The blade is the most important part of the saw as it does the actual.Therefore, when selecting a tenon saw let the blade be your number one concern. What you need to look for is the number of teeth per inch / centimetre on the blade. Typically you should look for around 20 teeth for every 25mm, this will give you the ideal cut.
You will probably see the abbreviation TPI on some of the saws. This stands for teeth per inch and this should be around 13. Most of the saw blades are made from high carbon steel and this is what you should be looking for in this type of saw
Most of these saws cut on the push stroke only but there are some exceptions. If you can get one that cuts both ways then you only have to do half the strokes. You will notice that our number one rated saw cuts both ways.
Which Type of back?
The back is very important as it keeps the saw perfectly straight and adds weight to the saw to help with the cut. Always go for a metal back and avoid plastic or wooden ones totally. I prefer brass or steel if possible.
Video - How to Use a Tenon Saw
I found this useful video, which explains how to use a tenon saw properly. There is a method where you can avoid any risk of an injury, especially cutting your hand.
Safe Use of a Tenon Saw
If you have never used one of these saws before, then please watch the video above. There is a knack to using these so as you do not want to cut yourself or damage the wood you are cutting. You have to learn to let the blade of the saw do all the work. If you find it really hard to cut then you are doing it wrong, it should be smooth and easy.
If you are still not sure then remember that we are recommending the Irwin 10503534 Jack Hardpoint Tenon Saw 12 inch as we found this to be the best Tenon Saw available in the market right now. Also have a look at our review on the Best hand saws.
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If we should typically look for 20tpi, why are you reviewing saws with only 11 or 12 tpi? Is there a tenon saw with 20 tpi
You don't mention one of the big considerations with a back saw which is the blade height. Since the spine on the saw blade prevents the blade from passing completely through the wood, the height of the blade limits the depth of cut you can make or the thickness of the material you can cut through. Good tenon saws such as the Veritas range come in a range of blade heights.