First dovetail saw

Robert Sobieck: I have never cut a dovetail by hand. I would like to start. I have nice Marples blue chisels but lack an adequte saw. I would like a recommendation on something to start with that is good but not too expensive. I have seen the brand Zona as inexpensive models, not sure if this cuts the mustard though.

Bill Tindall: I saw students at College of Redwoods using the Zona saw. I found that I didn't like pull saws and got the dovetail saw from Lie-Nielsen. Its attributes have aided me greatly in accurate tracking. The video is very helpful too. When we do a dovetail class, in general the students find it easier to saw accurately with these saws than the cheap alternatives they show up with. On the other hand, for thin stuff I do use the Zona saw. Using it today, in fact. I am sure that there are some reconditioned old saws that will do as well. In any case I think you will find that a quality saw makes a significant difference, especially for a beginner.

Dan Donaldson: Woodcraft sells a small backsaw that works well if you take a stone and remove some of the set. It is not as good as a LN or other, but it works surprisingly well (especially for $10). I have done several of them for people that I showed how to cut dovetails and did not have much money to spend. Another alternative is the smaller Japanese saws, depending on whether you prefer pull or push stroke. If money does not matter so much, then a LN is a good one. I prefer the straight handled one, but others like the regular handle.

Paul Womack: At the risk of being a heathen, I just don't see the need for super dovetail saws. As long as the blade is not warped (easy to check), and the set is minimal (easily achieved by stoning), there is so little actual cutting going on that your skill (which comes from technique and practice) is far more important. I use an old Tyzack that I sharpened. Not a great or famous saw brand, but the limiting factor is still me, not the saw. If you want to invest, I would say this offers more DT bang-per-buck than anything I know of.

Scott Burr: I think the Tyzack's a great saw. They can be picked up somewhat less than the cost of a Disston, too. I have a few Tyzacks, but they need a little help to get cutting well. By the way, Norm has used Tyzacks if that matters…

Bill Tindall: The Tyzack was the first dovetail saw that I bought, and have since sold at a substantial loss. It seemed well made and pretty to behold. But, I could not saw a line with it. The teeth were way too small and the handle too clunky to gain any sort of tactile feeling of what way the saw was pointed. As far as reworking a saw, consider the original post. This is a beginner. He doesn't need to steepen the learning curve by having to learn to tune a saw as well as saw a line.

Pam Niedermayer: Don't know, Bill. I cut my first dovetails in 1981 with a then new Tyzack from Woodsmith, they were perfect, saw cut like a dream.

Glenn: At Rosewood Studio they use the Zona saw but reverse the blade so it becomes a push saw rather than a pull saw. The instructor got fabulous results using the Zona saw in this fashion. I myself have a LN dovetail saw—never used the Zona—and love it but I was not getting the results the instructor was. I have to agree with others that your skill level will have a bigger impact on your dovetails than your saw. If you are looking for a first saw I think the Zona is a good choice for several reasons: 1. low cost; 2. can be configured for either push or pull, and 3. can be used out of the box or with very minor fettling (I think this is a big positive especially for someone starting out).

Jonathon Kaplan: At some point, you'll have to decide whether to go with a Japanese-style pull saw or a western-style push saw. Obviously, people achieve superb results with both sorts of saws, and one sort is not obviously better than the other. That said, I started off with pull saws and enjoy using them. For DT's, I prefer a Japanese Dozuki with rip teeth. There are many good ones available—I've heard very good things about the Lee Valley version. It isn't cheap, but it is supposedly a very nice saw. I've not used it myself. Nor, come to that, have I used any of the Zona saws…