Bad Axe 12" Stiletto Dovetail Saw

$418.00

Shipping calculated at checkout

Extra Small
Small
Regular
Large
Extra Large

Current lead time:  6-8 weeks depending on customizations. Call or email info@badaxetoolworks.com for more accurate lead times.

Introducing the Bad Axe 12" Stiletto Dovetail Saw, a revolutionary tool tailored for serious dovetailing tasks. Crafted with precision, this saw is engineered to provide unparalleled accuracy, potentially making it the only dovetail saw you'll ever need.

Featuring an extended two-inch throw, the Stiletto offers increased reach and flexibility. Its lightweight design and perfect balance ensure optimal control, guaranteeing precise cuts with every stroke. The saw's results-driven action delivers clean and accurate results that surpass expectations.

Prepare to be impressed by the advantages of a longer tooth line paired with a lighter, elongated saw. This powerful combination enhances accuracy, reducing the risk of deviation. Feel the unique biofeedback as the Stiletto's hammer-set tooth line effortlessly bites into the wood, providing a tactile sensation akin to a serrated razor.

Versatility is the Stiletto's forte. It effortlessly handles gang-cutting dovetails up to 8/4 combined thickness, crafting sliding dovetails, and achieving precise cuts with minimal strokes, even on 3/4 stock. Additionally, it excels at ripping smaller tenon cheeks in thin stock. This highly efficient tool enhances both accuracy and productivity, streamlining your woodworking projects.

In essence, we've designed a 12" long, open-handled dovetail saw with a thin (.018) plate and just enough clearance below the back to facilitate longer, more precise cuts with fewer strokes, promoting efficiency and accuracy akin to long rifle precision.

Drawing inspiration from the symbolic fighting knife of Special Operations Forces worldwide, such as the WWII-era V-42 adopted by the joint US/Canadian 1st Special Service Force, aka 'The Devils Brigade,' the Stiletto embodies the same principles of precision and purpose. Just as the V-42 was renowned for its ability to penetrate the toughest barriers with ease, the Stiletto Dovetail Saw melds comfort, confidence, and effectiveness, ensuring it becomes an indispensable tool in your woodworking arsenal.

  • 15 ppi (Pitch per Inch)
  • Recommended Filing: Rip
  • Plate Thickness .018"
  • Kerf of .027"
  • Depth of cut - 1 7/8"
  • Perfect for furniture and cabinetry 
  • Great for cutting dovetails in 1/4" to 8/4" stock.

Plate & Filing: We often hear that our saws glide effortlessly through wood, akin to riding on rails. This seamless experience owes much to our unwavering commitment to the hammer-set method for tooth setting. Consider this: while our design may feature less metal depth under the hood, it compensates by extending the toothline by an additional two inches, effectively mitigating heat build-up. The outcome? A remarkably sturdy plate with ample reach, capable of tackling materials exceeding a mere half-inch thickness without hesitation. Opt for our 15 ppi rip filing on the .018-gauge plate, and you'll find yourself questioning why dovetail saws shorter than 10 inches even exist. Furthermore, employing the Half-Blind Dovetail with a .015-gauge plate filed at 16 ppi offers the same performance, albeit with a finer kerf, enhancing precision even further.

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: Inspired by the timeless design of the 1876 Disston-pattern open 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. All handles are dipped in natural Watco Danish oil with the exception of Walnut, which is dipped in black walnut Watco, followed by Tripoli and finish buffed with carnuba wax.

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"