Types of backsaws
– Tenon saw
– Dovetail saw
– (UK) Sash saw
– Mitre saw
– Carcass saw
Design
– Backsaw requires a thin, stiff blade
– Stiffening cap is swaged or spot welded over the top edge of the blade
– Back is made of metal, usually brass or steel
– Back extends into the handle to prevent blade bending
– Thickening of the back limits cutting depth
Associated tools
– Backsaw used with a mitre box for angled cuts
– Bench hook commonly used as an accessory
– Marking knife used for cleaner lines and cutting wood fibers
– Pencil not ideal as it lifts fibers and leaves a ragged edge
References
– Young, F., ‘Every Man his own Mechanic’ (1881)
– Oxford English Dictionary (1978) ISBN 0-19-861212-5
– Hazra Choudhary, ‘A text book on workshop technology’
Footnotes
– In North America, sash saw refers to a frame saw used in sawmilling
– Note 1 Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Backsaw
A backsaw is any hand saw which has a stiffening rib on the edge opposite the cutting edge, enabling better control and more precise cutting than with other types of saws. Backsaws are normally used in woodworking for precise work, such as cutting dovetails, mitres, or tenons in cabinetry and joinery. Because of the stiffening rib, backsaws are limited in the depth to which they can cut. Backsaws usually have relatively closely spaced teeth, often with little or no set.
