Bad Axe 14" No. 9 Precision Tenon Saw

$510.00

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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.

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, saw making'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 Hybrid filing 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 while sawing.

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: 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.

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. 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"