Bad Axe 16" Tenon Saw

$340.00

Shipping calculated at checkout

Extra Small
Small
Regular
Large
Extra Large

Current lead time: about 4 weeks for most configurations. Call or email info@badaxetoolworks.com for more accurate lead times.

Introducing our 16" tenon saw, a reliable workhorse for general tenon cutting tasks. While it may seem to be an average tenon saw, its exceptional craftsmanship sets it apart from the rest.

Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, this tenon saw showcases a 4" deep x 16" long premium-grade Swedish spring steel saw plate, ensuring reliable performance and longevity. Its pitch of 12 teeth per inch (ppi), strike the perfect balance between rip and crosscut capabilities when filed hybrid, further enhancing its versatility for various woodworking tasks. With a plate thickness of .025 inches, this saw offers stability and precision during cutting operations. Notably, it provides a generous depth of cut at 4 inches, allowing you to tackle larger projects with ease.

This versatile tenon saw proves invaluable for a range of woodworking projects. It excels at cutting tenons and is perfect for benchtop resawing, allowing you to transform thick lumber with very few strokes. Experience the craftsmanship that sets our 16" tenon saw apart. With its exceptional build quality and reliable performance, it's a tool that will serve you well for years to come. 

This is a great all-around tenon saw, where wide spans and depth of tenon cheek are a common requirement for making beds and tables. Got a workbench design in mind with a 3.5" thick top? No problem, though, I'd recommend its 18" big brother for any bench-making with tops thicker than 3.5". My advice to newcomers is to start out with this guy in 12 ppi hybrid cut, and when you're ready to purchase a dedicated ripping saw, consider the Jack saw in 11 ppi rip or the 18" Beast in 10 ppi rip.

  • 12 ppi (Pitch per Inch)
  • Recommended Filing - Hybrid
  • Plate Thickness .025"
  • Kerf of .032"
  • Depth of cut 4"
  • Perfect for building workbenches and large furniture
  • Great for cutting tenons, and bench top resawing

Filing Types: Hybrid filing is a term that refers to a filing pattern used to achieve a balance between two primary cutting techniques: rip cuts and crosscuts.

To achieve clean crosscuts, a specific filing pattern is used on the teeth of the saw. This pattern is designed to slice cleanly through the wood fibers, minimizing tearout.

The crosscut pattern is optimized for cutting across the grain and is adept at reducing tearout. However, it may not be the most efficient for ripping cuts along the grain. On the other hand, the rip cut pattern is optimized for ripping along the grain, making it faster for such cuts but not as effective for crosscuts.

Hybrid filing seeks to combine the benefits of both patterns. It's a compromise between the aggressiveness of rip cuts and the cleanliness of crosscuts. The hybrid pattern is designed to provide a good balance, allowing for relatively fast rip cuts while still maintaining cleaner crosscuts compared to pure rip filing.

Folded Sawback: Delve into the craftsmanship behind our traditional folded sawbacks, a hallmark of excellence that sets Bad Axe's saws apart from the rest. Unlike milled static backs commonly found in mainstream offerings, our folded backs embody a heritage of meticulous artistry and functional superiority.

Crafted through time-honored techniques, our folded backs undergo a precise process, resulting in a seamless, robust construction. This method not only enhances the structural integrity of the saw but also allows for dynamic adjustments and retensioning of the toothline, crucial for maintaining optimal cutting performance over time.

In contrast, milled static backs lack the versatility and resilience of our traditional folded backs. Their uniformity limits the ability to adjust tension, rendering them prone to premature wear and diminishing cutting efficiency, especially under rigorous use.

At Bad Axe, we stand by the enduring tradition of folded sawbacks for their unparalleled durability, versatility, and craftsmanship. Each saw embodies a legacy of excellence, meticulously crafted to deliver precision and reliability for generations to come. Experience the difference that traditional folded backs make in the world of woodworking – where precision meets heritage, and craftsmanship knows no compromise.

Handle: Each Bad Axe handle is meticulously crafted from full-heart quartersawn stock in a selection of premium hardwoods including Cherry, White Oak, Hard Maple, and Walnut.

Why choose quartersawn wood? Despite being the priciest option, quartersawn stock offers unparalleled stability, minimizing the effects of seasonal wood movement that can compromise the accuracy of the saw plate alignment. At Bad Axe, we prioritize the use of quartersawn wood to ensure the longevity and reliability of our handles.

Furthermore, we are committed to sustainability and environmental responsibility. All our handle stock is sourced from a trusted family-owned business known for their sustainable lumber harvesting practices. This partnership, established from the inception of Bad Axe, underscores our dedication to supporting North American hardwoods and promoting eco-conscious manufacturing processes.

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"
  • “Thanks so much for the tenon saw. It is a beauty!! It feels great, cuts great, and looks terrific. I'm definitely pleased. Think I just might start saving now for a Doc Holliday!” -Mike Kraft, Tempe, AZ

  • “This is without a doubt the finest saw I have ever used since using more and more hand tools in my woodworking. I am building 3 tables for a customer, and each has a number of tenons. Once I adjusted for the weight of the saw, it is so easy to start if you let weight of the saw do the work, I zipped through those tenons quicker than the time it takes to set up my tenon jig for the table saw. I have also used it for crosscuts in all types of wood from oak to poplar, lines marked of course with my kick-ass Bad Axe pencil.” -Rick Lasita, Humbolt, TN

  • “When I opened my new 16" Bad Axe Tenon saw, I noticed that it weighed more than any of my other saws because of its beefy construction. The more I used it, the more I really liked the weight of the saw and how it was able to plow through white oak leaving a beautiful smooth face on the tenons I was cutting. They sharpened my saw with the "hybrid cut" so it also makes a ready to dovetail surface on my crosscuts. This saw is easy to control and wonderful to use even for a newbie hand sawyer like me.” - Marilyn Guthrie, Seattle, WA 

  • “I just can't believe the control and speed I have. I've read all about your saws, which is why I chose to go with your saw over others for this purchase. But using is everything. Just for comparison's sake, I contrasted your saw with an old Disston that I sharpened about two years ago that has seen very little use. There really is no comparison. Granted, my sharpening skills leave much to be desired, but that Disston was leaps and bounds better after I sharpened it. However, it very simply cannot compare to the Bad Axe. The tracking, the speed . . . it's all just mind blowing. I must get more time in. I crave that feeling. I must get more saws! Really, thanks again. I cannot sing the praises of this saw any louder.” -Jim Burton, Denton, TX

  • “I decided to try a Bad Axe saw after reading positive reviews in woodworking magazines. I needed a large back saw that could make an angled cut over 3" deep through the side of a board to create a scarf joint for a guitar neck/head assembly. I found the Bad Axe to be ideal for this application. The saw encourages accurate work, feels comfortable in the hand, and is beautiful to look at. It has become one of my most used and enjoyed tools.” -Luthier Bart Hovis, Kirkwood, MO See how Bart makes guitars

  • “The jack saw has definitely played a huge role in the construction process of this furniture (project). All the bases for the tables are built with either 12/4 or 16/4 walnut. This stock was too thick to be cut at the chop saw or the table saw...so rock the Bad Axe!!!! We processed piles of table parts and cut them to length with the Jack Saw. The saw just eats wood for breakfast. It is perfectly tuned for fast cuts through walnut! When you cut this heavy stock in a chop saw it can get hairy, but the Jack Saw takes it in stride!”- Furniture Designer Jared Wayne, Cincinnati, OH, Reach Jared on Facebook