Dovetail Saw recommendation-- LN or Veritas

Z

ZenMystic

Member
Joined
Dec 28, 2010
Messages
20
Hi All,

Looked through the forum but didn't see much info on the dovetail saws used by the members. I'm taking a furniture class in a few weeks and need to get a good dovetail saw. Presently I'm looking at the LN and Veritas. I tried the Crossman and LN this past weekend, but don't think I can afford the Crossman along with the other tools I must purchase. A friend uses Veritas and I wanted to get a little more feedback.

Can anyone who has tried the Veritas and LN give me a opinion as to the one you like best? This may sound silly but I just can't get past the way the Veritas looks. I know it all in the way the saw performs as opposed to looks, but the LN just has that classic look that wins me over. [embarassed]

--Jeff
 
I can only comment on the Lie-Nielsen dovetail saw as that is the one I've owned over 10 years.  I like mine very much.  When learning from Frank Klausz, it was his recommendation so I got it and let him hone it to perfection.  He tried it out, was very happy with it after his "tuning" and off I went using it.  I also got the leather snap on case to protect it.  For that amount of money my advice is to get the added protection.  Don't forget there are some nice Japanese models out there.
 
TBH I've been using the "Small Rip Dozuki" for hand cut dovetails. It's cheap and gets the job done nicely. It's not going to last like the Lie nelson or lee Valley though but it's done me some service...i like it
 
A friend has the LN and I have the Veritas, when tried side by side in the same piece, they performed almost identical, both feel good. I personally don't think you can go wrong with either one.

John
 
I would try the Lee Valley first.

1.  Less expensive but reviewed just as well as the LN.

2.  Return policy is fantastic.  If you don't like the tool, they pay for you to ship it back and return your original shipping cost too.
 
I'm very happy with my Lee Valley saw. It comes with a blade guard fyi.

 
Jeff,

I'm a hand tool guy who is trying to scale back a little of my hand tools in order to buy some Festool equipment.  I just haven't bothered to list my tools anywhere.

I can offer you a brand new L-N Dovetail Saw, still in the original paper wrapping and original box.  It was manufactured a year ago.  Price is 30% off L-N's current price and I'll ship for free.

Also, I can make you a much better deal on Japanese chisels.  The Matsumura chisels are good entry level tools, but I'll sell you a very high-end 10 piece (3mm = 1/8 inch through 42mm = 1 5/8 inch) set limited production hand made Iyoroi white steel with the folded striated wood-grain soft steel backing.  Iyoroi makes a wide range of chisels.  These are at his highest end and are rarely offered.  These will be excellent workers and will serve you for many years without any need for upgrading.  They will cut all woods better and longer between sharpening than the Matsumuras.

Each chisel has high quality handles (white oak from the center of the branch), hand made striking rings and the chisels themselves are each individually hand engraved with the maker's name, not a small stamped marking.  Hand-signed wooden box, etc.  The price for this is at least 75% off the usual price.  My price for these new chisels is $400.  A set from a dealer would be $1600 to well over $2,000.  At $40 each, they are probably less expensive than the Matsumuras.

Email me for further details.  This is a serious offer.

Gary Laroff
Portland, Oregon
 
Hi Gary...I would love to get those Chisels but my Matsumuras are already on the way to me. I ordered them a couple of days ago.

I spoke to my friend and he is going to meet me at a local woodcraft later this week so I can test his Veritas beside a LN. As soon as I've got my hands on both I'll drop you line. The deal you are offering is going to play into the decision for sure. I just love the way the LN looks. I'll contact you in a couple of days.

Do you have any LN planes you want to get rid of? I'm presently looking for a Low Angle Jack Plane, #4 Bench Plane and a Rabbet Block Plane as well as some spokeshaves.

--Jeff
 
Jeff,

I have a number of the L-N planes and, in general, would not sell them.

You listed some planes that are generally considered to be among their best.  The low-angle jack plane is considered one of their greats.  Aside from that one, you are correct in first getting the #4 (or the #5) and a block plane.  I have the rabbet block plane and almost never use it.  In contrast, the plane I use the most is the #102 low angle block plane.  You might want to consider it before the rabbet block plane.

If you think about the chisels and choose to return the Matsumuras and get the Iyoroi set, you won't be disappointed.

Gary
 
Another dovetail saw you might want to look at is the Glen-Drake.  They make a two handle version as well as a traditional one handle.  The teeth are in a graduating pattern to make stroking the saw smoother.
 
I agree 100% with Jeff.

I have the low angle jack from LN- it cuts like butter. My first plane was the low angle block by Lee Valley, it is indispensable. Then I bought a 4 1/2 Lee Valley bench plane. I prefer the 4 1/2 to the #4.

With these three plane sizes, there is not much you cannot do. Sure a jointer, and some of the specialized planes can be useful, but these three will accomplish most of what you want.

Enjoy the class
Richard.

 
Too bad you cant get the cosman cause it is very very nice the 22 tpi for the first 2 inches makes all the difference (in my opinion), but on that note i know alot of people are very happy with the vertias saw including Mark w. who i spent the day with a few weeks ago you should check out his site his stuff is AMAZING!!!!! his site is www.blackstonedesign.com you wont be diapionted i promise.
 
First, for the record, both the LN and the LV saws are first rate products that I wouldn't hesitate to recommend.

Having said that, first you might want to narrow the choice down to a pull saw versus a push saw.  Do you want a replaceable blade (as opposed to investing in more tools and learning how to sharpen a saw or sending it back to LN to be sharpened)?

If you are new to dovetails, I would start with a modestly priced japanese saw before committing big bucks.

You can almost get into a religious argument on japanese vs. american or pins first or tails first, but it doesn't really matter - you can get great results either way.  Just pick a method and stick with it until you have the skill down.  And yes, you will need to tune the saw.  Not hard to do, but do it before you put a lot of effort into learning on an untuned saw.
 
WoodChuckWoods said:
Too bad you cant get the cosman cause it is very very nice the 22 tpi for the first 2 inches makes all the difference (in my opinion), but on that note i know alot of people are very happy with the vertias saw including Mark w. who i spent the day with a few weeks ago you should check out his site his stuff is AMAZING!!!!! his site is www.blackstonedesign.com you wont be diapionted i promise.
Click to expand...

That is some very nice work!  Thanks for the link
 
WoodChuckWoods said:
Too bad you cant get the cosman cause it is very very nice the 22 tpi for the first 2 inches makes all the difference (in my opinion), but on that note i know alot of people are very happy with the vertias saw including Mark w. who i spent the day with a few weeks ago you should check out his site his stuff is AMAZING!!!!! his site is www.blackstonedesign.com you wont be diapionted i promise.
Click to expand...

How does he do the tree stuff?  Does he steam bend it around the stones?  Some of the designs I don't really like but the craftsman ship is brilliant.

Jmb
 
Funny I thought he bent wood also until I spent some time with him. He does not bend anything. It is pretty much all rough sawn lumber to start with and he uses a bandsaw and spoke shaves to hand shape it, then fastens it together as he goes.that staircase in his living room portfolio is one of the coolest pieces I think, if you look close you can see that the toe kicks are drawers!! And all the banister pieces are dovetailed to the handrail and stairs.
 
The Blackstone site has some amazing work. Inspirational.

Thanks for the advice on the saws Jesse. The class involves two days of sharpening/tuning before we start using any of the tools in the course. It's basically a week of hand tool boot camp!

--Jeff
 
I am waiting on the new "thin plate" lie lielson d/t saw.  Anyone used these yet ?  Was about to order the progressive pitch when i realised there was a new thin plate.

Cheers, Woodguy.
 
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