Customer Reviews

Brass Back Tenon Saw

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The Paragon company makes great saws that are reasonably priced, but you will need to sharpen them if you want the best possible performance. I re-sharpened and used this saw as a crosscut saw. Once it was properly tuned-up, it cut as well as saws that cost two or three times as much.

The handle is not fancy, or made of expensive wood, but it is comfortable and sturdy.
The blade is made of VERY good HARD steel.
The "back" or "spine" of the saw is straight and strong.


My friend has this and the smaller Paragon dovetail saw (which some call a "French tenon" saw) and they are both VERY high-performance. After I sharpened these for him, they cut every bit as well as boutique saws. The only noticeable differences are the cosmetic details.

SO, if you want the performance of those premium saws, you can get it from these lower-priced but fine Paragon saws. You will need to sharpen them. Of course, all Western saws need sharpening eventually.

This is a great brand of hand saw for those of you who are interested in FINE woodworking with traditional tools, but do not want to spend a fortune. To make it sing like the pretty-saws, you must sharpen it and practice using it. Of course, you'll have to do that anyway, no matter what brand you buy or how much you spend. Even a Steinway grand piano won't sound good unless you tune it and practice.

Many fine craftsmen prefer the practical, plebeian appearance of these Paragon saws to the fancy-handles, pretty brass-screws and polished backs of boutique saws. Exotic wood looks great for a tool you put on display. If you are planning to actually use a saw, you might not want the pretty-boy rich-kid stuff. Craftsmen are esteemed for the quality of their work, not how much they pay for tools.

Now that I think of it, none of the craftsmen I've met, ever look at the handles of a saw while sawing.