Bad Axe D8 Panel Saws

I have been unimpressed by modern handsaws and panels saws for the most part.¹ None have had the balance, comfort and control of vintage saws (which are also a lot cheaper).

This year, I am beginning to change my tune.

In January, I bought a Bad Axe D8 panel saw: 24" blade (24-1/4" if we are counting), 9 ppi, quartersawn oak handle with brass nuts. It’s a monster of a saw – much taller than my old panel saws, so I was a bit leery of it. Would it be good for furniture work? Did I just flush about $400 down the toilet?

The Bad Axe has been (whew) hugely impressive. It is, without a caveat, the best modern panel saw I’ve used. I like it so much that I keep it deep in my tool chest, out of reach of students and coworkers. Let’s talk about why.

The blade is just right. Like old saws, the Bad Axe’s blade is taper ground. It is .025" thick along the spine and .035" thick above teeth. This tapering allows you to steer the saw and prevents it from binding in the cut. They got it just right.

The teeth are set .005" to either side of the sawplate. The teeth are well formed and come incredibly sharp. Today I pushed the saw to cut through 16" of mahogany to make some sliding dovetails. The saw shone like crazy. The gullets did their job, the saw flew through the material and the kerf was immaculate.