Irwin 10503534 12T/13P XP3055-300 Jack Tenon Saw, 12, Blue, 12"

Product Information

Looking at a tenon saw and a dovetail saw side by side, you could be forgiven for thinking that they were the same thing. There are some similarities between them but they do have some subtle differences.

For the most part, a tenon saw will be used to make tenons that are used in mortise and tenon joints. This is where the saw gets its name. They are very similar to the dovetail saw in that they have a stiff blade and are designed for making precise, straight cuts. But we will look at this comparison in a little more detail later on.

Irwin Jack Xpert 10503534 300mm / 12" 3055 Ultra Fine Tenon Saw

You can read more about the different types of saws and how they perform in our recent article about the 21 Types of Saws You Should Know. The tenon saw is designed for cross-cutting and its unique design is perfect for this type of cut. When you are looking to make very precise crosscuts, the rip-filed teeth of the tenon saw allow for much greater accuracy and neatness across the grain. What Is The Difference Between A Tenon Saw And A Dovetail Saw? If you’re just getting started and initially setting up your workshop, there are a lot of things you’ll need to buy. This may mean that you don’t want to break the bank on any particular item but it’s also important not to compromise where quality is concerned.

The great thing about the tenon saw is that it is so versatile. Regardless of the type of wood, you are cutting, your tenon saw will be up for the challenge. These tools can be used to cut both hard and softwoods. If you are in a real fix and have no other tool for making a dovetail joint, then you may be able to get away with using your tenon saw for this. That said, most woodworkers would agree that you’d need a tenon saw that was on the smaller side for the best results. When it comes to handles, you’ll find that the best tenon saws have pistol grips. These grips hold the blade in a solid and steady position, allowing you to control the cut.If you need to perform a rip cut, along the grain, then a tenon saw is not the best tool to use. For this, you will need something like a rip saw or a panel saw. The 300mm blade with 80mm cutting depth places this Irwin model on par with the Draper 49280, but it’s much lighter at 330g. While there are differences between individual tenon saws, you will find that, for the most part, these saws have between 10 and 14 TPI. This means that they typically have more teeth per inch than other types of saw which allows them to create a much neater finish. In addition to this, the greater number of teeth per inch means that cuts are achieved more slowly. This provides you with greater control over the cut, again giving a more smooth, even and precise finish.