Uploaded July 2017 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
*This video has made about $900 in YouTube ad revenue since uploading it, hence the value in the title.
I bought a Deer brand Gents dovetail saw, and really wasn't that into it. The teeth come a bit coarse (some teeth were actually longer than the others, and I had to file them down), and I couldn't seem to steer it straight.
So, I used it a few times, and then stopped. About $20, wasted. Or so I thought.
I've been wanting to buy a high-end dovetail saw, like the Lie Nielsen one, but before I pulled the trigger, I saw the Woodwright episode with Tom Calisto, where they make a beautiful dovetail saw--that was actually the 3rd time I've seen it.
That got me thinking... could I convert that cheap gents saw into a high-end dovetail saw?
In short, I think so. I started with the handle, and really did it up well.
After that, I addressed the teeth: jointed them, sharpened them, and re-set them. After about 8 hours of total work, I love it!
Watch me go from board to dovetail saw handle in this video.
Link to saw on Woodcraft: woodcraft.com/products/4140-250-straight-back-saw
Link to Woodwright's Shop episode where they make a dovetail saw:
pbs.org/video/2365309283
Link to Blackburn tools handle templates: blackburntools.com/articles/saw-handle-templates/index.html
Enjoy!
*This video has made about $900 in YouTube ad revenue since uploading it, hence the value in the title.
I bought a Deer brand Gents dovetail saw, and really wasn't that into it. The teeth come a bit coarse (some teeth were actually longer than the others, and I had to file them down), and I couldn't seem to steer it straight.
So, I used it a few times, and then stopped. About $20, wasted. Or so I thought.
I've been wanting to buy a high-end dovetail saw, like the Lie Nielsen one, but before I pulled the trigger, I saw the Woodwright episode with Tom Calisto, where they make a beautiful dovetail saw--that was actually the 3rd time I've seen it.
That got me thinking... could I convert that cheap gents saw into a high-end dovetail saw?
In short, I think so. I started with the handle, and really did it up well.
After that, I addressed the teeth: jointed them, sharpened them, and re-set them. After about 8 hours of total work, I love it!
Watch me go from board to dovetail saw handle in this video.
Link to saw on Woodcraft: woodcraft.com/products/4140-250-straight-back-saw
Link to Woodwright's Shop episode where they make a dovetail saw:
pbs.org/video/2365309283
Link to Blackburn tools handle templates: blackburntools.com/articles/saw-handle-templates/index.html
Enjoy!
