A good dovetail saw is an essential woodworking tool that every prepper should have in their toolkit. This guide will cover how to choose a rugged dovetail saw made to last decades even with heavy use.
What is a Dovetail Saw Used For?
A dovetail saw, also called a backsaw, is a small handsaw designed for detailed woodworking tasks like cutting dovetail, comb, and box joints. The thin blade and fine teeth allow it to make precise, clean cuts for joinery.
While mainly used for cutting dovetails, a quality dovetail saw works great for other precision cuts:
- Cutting tenons
- Making stopped dados, grooves, and rabbets
- Cutting small pieces of wood accurately
- Trimming wood pegs and dowels flush
For survivalists and preppers living self-sufficiently, this versatility makes a good dovetail saw invaluable for constructing and maintaining wood structures and tools. The ability to neatly join wood opens up more possibilities for building furniture, shelters, containers, and other necessary items without relying on modern adhesives and fasteners.
Need To Know What Other Rugged Off-Grid Wood Working Tools To Get?
Choosing Durable and Rugged Materials
When picking a dovetail saw for off-grid use, the most important factor is durability. It needs to stand up to regular heavy use and sharpening for years or even decades. Prioritize these characteristics during selection:
Blade Steel
Look for spring steel blades with high carbon content (at least 0.95%) which resist warping and stay rigid. Softer low carbon steel is more prone to bending. Blade thickness should be around 0.020 inches for the right amount of stiffness without being too thick.
Tooth Hardness
The ideal hardness for dovetail saw teeth is between Rc50-Rc60 on the Rockwell scale. This balances tooth durability for longevity against brittleness. Avoid very hard teeth over Rc65 that can crack during sharpening.
Set
A minimal tooth set of 0.003 inches or less is best for fine joinery saws. This reduces the width of the kerf (slot) to help the blade track straight. Teeth that are stamped out leave an uneven set compared to individually filed teeth.
Handle Material
Traditional wood handles can crack or loosen over time. Modern handles made of fiberglass reinforced plastic will stand up to heavy use without breaking. Wood handles should have brass or steel bolts rather than glued joints.
Blade Tension
The blade needs even tension across its length to prevent distortion. Poor quality saws often have blades that slip in the spine leading to inconsistent cuts. Quality dovetail saws use a steel back or thick brass back to keep the blade tight.
Sharpenability
Any saw blade will eventually dull with use. Ease of re-sharpening is essential for a long lasting dovetail saw. Softer Japanese saw steel is difficult to sharpen compared to Western saws. The blade should be easy to remove from the handle for sharpening and tooth setting.
Recommended Durable Dovetail Saw Brands
Many major saw brands offer dovetail saws, but only a handful meet the above criteria for ruggedness and durability. Here are some reputable options to consider:
Lie-Nielsen
This small American company is known for premium quality traditional woodworking tools. Their dovetail saws feature rigid brass or steel backs, cryogenically treated spring steel blades, and comfortable rosewood handles.
Bad Axe Tool Works
Specializing in heirloom grade saws, Bad Axe offers custom configured dovetail saws with durable materials and hand filed teeth. The steel back and exotic wood handle are built to last.
Veritas by Lee Valley
The Canadian brand Veritas makes innovative yet affordable dovetail saws ideal for survivalists. The advanced polymer handle and fiberglass reinforced spine shrug off rough handling in the field.
Gyokucho Razor Dozuki
Japanese saw maker Gyokucho is renowned for extremely sharp and precise saws. Their dozuki saws have ultra thin blades to cut efficiently with less effort. The handle-less design reduces weight.
Rob Cosman Signature Series
This line of professional woodworking saws combines high tech modern and traditional materials for exceptional longevity. The pistol grip handle and rigid steel back makes precise cuts easy.
While expensive, these saws will serve any off-grid woodworker well for many years. Saving up for a premium dovetail saw is worth the investment over cheaper tools that won’t last.
Maintaining a Dovetail Saw for Decades of Use
With proper care and maintenance, a high quality dovetail saw should stay sharp and usable for decades. Here are some tips for keeping your dovetail saw in top condition:
Clean Regularly
Wood resin and grime will slowly build up on the teeth which hampers cutting. Use a saw cleaner paste and nylon brush to remove residue after each use before rust develops.
Oil the Blade
Wipe a thin coating of camellia oil on the blade after cleaning to prevent corrosion and rust. Camellia oil also helps keep sap and pitch from sticking to the teeth.
Store Properly
Keep the saw in a toolbox away from moisture to avoid rusting. The spine should lay flat to prevent warping. If hanging on a wall, support the entire saw length.
Inspect for Damage
Check for loose, bent or broken teeth regularly. Joint and re-set damaged teeth promptly to maintain cutting efficiency. Look for cracks in the handle or back that indicate metal fatigue.
Sharpen When Needed
As soon as cutting slows down or requires extra force, it’s time to sharpen. Use a saw vise and specialty files to re-establish sharp, consistent teeth. Setting and jointing ensures they cut freely.
With periodic sharpening and tooth setting, a quality dovetail saw should only need replacement after 15-20 years. Caring for your dovetail saw helps preserve a vital survival skill for future generations.
The Drawknife: A Historical Dovetail Saw Alternative
Those living off-grid may want to consider using a drawknife in addition to a dovetail saw for woodworking. This two handled cutting tool dates back thousands of years but can still replace certain functions of a backsaw.
A sharp drawknife excels at shaving down small wood pieces quickly. It’s ideal for handcrafting round dowels, spindles, pegs, arrows, and even bows requiring little stock removal. The thin flexible blades also work for finer tasks like chamfering delicate chair parts.
While unable to match the accuracy of a dovetail saw’s thin kerf for joinery, a drawknife is still useful for rough cutting recesses for through mortise and tenon joints. It can rapidly remove waste wood when fitting joints by hand.
Together, a quality dovetail saw and sharp drawknife form a woodworking system that can handle most survival needs without power tools or shop machines. Learning to use these traditional hand tools is a worthy investment for those committed to an off-grid self-reliant lifestyle.
Conclusion
Choosing the right dovetail saw is a long term investment for any prepper living off the grid. Seek out quality over price when buying a dovetail saw built to handle years of rugged use. Properly maintained with sharpening and rust prevention, a good dovetail saw will serve you and your descendants for generations as a vital woodworking survival skill.
Citations:
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