Bad Axe 14" No. 9 Precision Tenon Saw

$360.00

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Current lead time: about 3 weeks

Welcome to Bad Axe's interpretation of the highly sought-after Disston No. 9 Back Saw with the 1874 Reagan patent ergonomic handle and distinctive ogee-curved exposed toe at the toothline. We are proud to introduce our improved version of this esteemed saw, as it marks the beginning of our revival of other treasured tools from, what we consider, sawmaking's golden age.

The Bad Axe No. 9 is meticulously crafted to excel in woodworking projects that demand precise joinery in tight spaces. The exposed ogee-curved plate at the toe end of the allows for cutting in tight places, such as cleaning out the mortises for half-lapping dovetailed joints into beams, boat-building, and other like-type requirements where the sawback will obstruct the cut, while at the same time retaining full functionality of a 14" toothline for medium tenon cheek ripping requirements, offcuts, dadoes, and rabbets. This is an incredibly versatile saw.

Featuring a pitch of 12 teeth per inch (ppi), the Bad Axe No. 9 ensures a fine and efficient cutting action. The recommended filing method of Hybrid provides the perfect balance between rip and crosscut capabilities, making it suitable for a wide range of woodworking tasks. The .025" plate thickness ensures rigidity and stability, allowing for precise control during cutting operations.

With a kerf of .032", the Bad Axe No. 9 creates a clean and narrow cut, minimizing material waste and promoting accuracy. Its impressive depth of cut, measuring 3 5/8 inches, enables you to tackle various joinery tasks with ease and precision.

While the Bad Axe No. 9 thrives in specialized joinery work, it remains fully functional as a versatile backsaw for a wide range of applications. Whether you're crafting tenons, cutting dadoes, or creating intricate detail work, this saw delivers outstanding performance and reliability.

I have a healthy dose of skepticism when it comes to 'improved' pattern tools. Sometimes the improvement is functional and sometimes it's just cosmetic. In case of this saw, I think it may be both. The historical No. 9 design certainly is beautiful and will part some with their money on that count alone, but after using it for a week I've found that it does shift the weight of the saw back toward the handle giving it a nice sense of balance. I've been using it as a sort of hybrid carcase/sash saw, and I've yet to find something to complain about. Compared to other saws, I found a higher percentage of cuts with the No.9 to be straight and square straight off the saw.

  • 12 ppi (Pitch per Inch)
  • Recommended Filing - Hybrid
  • Plate Thickness .025"
  • Kerf of .032"
  • Depth of cut 3 5/8"
  • Perfect for building larger furniture, special joinery, and workbenches
  • Great for cutting tenons, half-lap joints, large dadoes, and bench top resawing

Plate & Filing: Ogee-curved exposed toe end of the saw. The exposed two inches of the plate at the toe end of the saw ADDS to this design's functionality by allowing the user to cut into tight places for cuts otherwise constrained by a full-length sawback. For instance, deepening tenon cheeks, cleaning out large half-lap dovetails when joining cross pieces, such as deck and floor joist framing, bench-building, larger furniture pieces, or in smaller right-angle connections. One may also clean out a kerf line already established without the back getting in the way. The key thing here is accessing cuts in constrained scenarios.

We recommend 12 ppi dedicated rip or 12 ppi hybrid-cut for the .025-gauge plate, or 12 ppi crosscut, depending on your personal woodworking style. If you're new to hand tools, then the hybrid-filing is a great choice—you won't regret it, and you'll be far less inclined to knock your saw off your bench, since multiple saws compete for real estate.

Handle: Ergonomic thumb-rest handle: Based on the Disston/Reagan 1874 patent, this handle is comfortable and secure—and looks awfully danged good as well. Offered in both right and left-handed grip.

All Bad Axe handles are milled from full-heart quartersawn stock in Cherry, White Oak, Hard Maple and Walnut. Why quartersawn? Though it's the most expensive cut of wood, quartersawn stock mitigates wood movement with seasonal change, which can throw the plate out of true.

Bad Axe sources all handle stock from a family-owned business practicing sustainable lumber harvesting practices, and with whom we've done business from the very beginning. North American hardwoods: beautiful, sustainable, environmentally responsible.

Backs: Traditional folded sawback finished in black-oxide carbon steel, or titanium nitride carbon steel. Read more about this critical component for any backsaw, and why Bad Axe promotes the enduring traditional folded sawback over commonplace static-backed saws that disallow retensioning the toothline with heavy use.

Have you purchased enough brass-backed saws already to know that they just don't age that well? It's a great look, but it doesn't take long for tarnish to set in, and over time a brass-backed saw deforms with hard use, wreaking havoc on your toothline. But it's traditional, right? And conveys a traditional, warm look we all like to see.

But form only goes so far before substance sets in. You very seldom see brass-backed saws longer than 12" or 14", because brass just isn't a strong enough an alloy for larger saws. Steel on the other hand presents superior strength and durability. So-we at Bad Axe made the hard choice to phase brass out of our product line, since it's difficult to work with (it has a 'springy' quality to it), doesn't form well, tarnishes, and at the end of the day, just doesn't measure up to carbon steel, which can take a variety of plating’s for aesthetic purposes.

Long a favored finish for high-end firearms, titanium nitride presents stellar corrosion and wear-resistance, Titanium-Nitride hits the sweet spot when it comes to form following function. The tone falls between the look you get between brass and bronze, so it certainly scratches that aesthetic itch you desire. And the cool thing about it? We can apply Titanium Nitride on our largest sawbacks, where the strength and durability of a steel-backed saw is paramount.

So, what are you getting for the $75 upcharge? It's obviously not cheap-because it's not a cheap plating process for us to apply. But what you get is corrosion and wear resistance, along with that deep, brass/bronze look that retains its golden luster over time. Give it a shot--this is a drop-dead gorgeous plating that will retain its deep, rich look for the generations to come.

Check out our hand size chart and measuring graphic in order to get the best fit on your new saw.

Handle Size Length
Extra Small Less than 3 1/8"
Small 3 1/4" - 3 1/2"
Regular 3 5/8" - 3 7/8"
Large 4" - 4 1/4"
Extra Large More than 4-3/8"
  • “I give you, the Bad Axe No. 9: a truly righteous blade!” — Hand Tool Woodworking Editor, Jim McConnell

  • "I could not be more pleased with the nest of saws Bad Axe hooked me up with. Four original back saws in two sizes, each in a rip and xc version. Customized to my taste, how cool is that? These Bad Axe saws are so yummy I dare you to just buy one and keep it at that, just isn’t going to happen! Seriously good saws made by seriously gifted and very nice people. I consider myself lucky to know Mark and owning these saws and enjoy them very much just about every day. Wishing you all the best from Switzerland, cheers, Bob." — Master Cabinetmaker Bob Gerritsen, Geneva, Switzerland, Menuiserie Bob Sarl

  • “I'm lucky to own some very nice hand tools, both new and old. I can say without reservation that Bad Axe saws are by far the finest tools in my shop. The saws perform perfectly—they are easy to start, cut quickly and smoothly, and track perfectly. The fit and finish of these saws, and the attention to detail is simply unmatched by any modern Sawmaker. Everything from the blade etch, saw nuts, the look and feel of the handle, even the packaging Mark uses are all first class. It will be an honor to hand these saws down to my children or grandchildren someday.”— Galoot Josh Clark, Purveyor of Fine Vintage Tools

  • “I often get emails from people asking that age 'ol question—"If I only buy one saw then what should it be?"—well let me honestly say that this is the answer. A back saw filed crosscut but rips as good if not better than some of my dedicated rip saws from other manufacturers. I'm certainly not trying to slag or disrespect any other hand saw manufacturers out there, but the proof is in the pudding. These saws are filed so sharp and cut so straight that once you finally get them in your hand, you'll know exactly what I'm talking about. The models I have been using this week are filed 12 and 13 tpi respectively and one came tricked out in walnut and the other in cherry. Whether you're a cabinet maker or a boat builder, a luthier, or a timber framer, I can't imagine why anyone serious about wood working hasn't made the investment. It'll be the last saw you'll need but I'm damn sure you won't stop at just one.” — Master Craftsman Tom Fidgen The Unplugged Woodshop, and author of 'Made by Hand'

  • “The No. 9 is awesome. I tried out the crosscut saw first on a 2" thick chunk of white oak. Went right through it, and what amazed me the most was the end grain on the piece after the cut—it was literally smooth as glass. Could not tell it apart from a cut using my forrest blade on the table saw, except for the fact that mine was crooked. Then tried the rip on some maple I had laying around, tracked right to the line, and cut FAST. These saws have already made me a better hand tool woodworker, and they are also the best-looking tools I own. Thanks again.” — Ken Blais, Foster, Rhode Island

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