Most factory saw handles are sized for a big hand, which is one of the reasons I started making saws in the first place. This one is cut for a small hand, a palm around 85mm across. If your fingers cramp up or your grip wanders on a standard saw, the handle was probably too big for you. This one is cut so that doesn’t happen. Point your index finger along the spine, wrap the other three fingers around the grip, and the handle should fill your hand without pinching.
The handle is Rock Maple, the pale North American hardwood used for workbench tops and butcher blocks. It’s dense and fine grained, and its pale colour mellows to a honey tone with use and a little camellia oil. Under it is a dovetail saw: 250mm of 0.5mm spring steel (SAE 1080, hardened to 44 to 47 HRC), filed rip cut at 16 points per inch with an 8 degree rake, cutting to 50mm deep. That’s the setup for sawing along the grain, so dovetails, small tenons and fine joinery in general. The solid brass spine keeps the blade straight and the handle hangs at 41 degrees, which suits a short, controlled stroke.
This saw is one of my first small batch, and the brass spine was made at HNT Gordon in northern New South Wales, where I learned tool making with Terry Gordon. The split nuts are made by hand using techniques from his workshop. These saws mark where Kaz Saw started, and I’m proud of every one of them.
It arrives sharpened and ready to use. Email me to buy it and I’ll post it anywhere in Australia by registered mail.
