Bad Axe D8 Hand and Panel Saws

$485.00

Shipping calculated at checkout

Custom Order Lead Time: 6-8 weeks

Read Chris Schwarz's article about our Panel Saw here

Introducing the Bad Axe D8, affectionately dubbed the 'Henry Disston' in honor of the legendary sawmaker himself.

After years of careful development, we are proud to offer a saw that seamlessly blends tradition and innovation. The Bad Axe D8 features a meticulously tapered grind achieved through advanced grinding techniques, ensuring a strong, agile blade that performs reliably under pressure.

What truly sets this saw apart is its thoughtful design. The ergonomic handle maximizes grip and leverage, while the reinforced plate is tough enough to tackle even the hardest hardwoods. Plus, the saw’s aesthetics are customizable to suit your personal style.

Our lineup includes 22", 24", and 26" taper-ground hand and panel saws, inspired by the iconic Disston D8 and Simonds skewback handsaws. While we honor the classic design of the Disston D8, we’ve also incorporated the pre-1928 Simonds handsaw let-in mounting pattern for added versatility, offering both standard and thumbhole-grip versions.

Plate Configurations:

  • 22" – 10 PPI Crosscut or 7 PPI Rip
  • 24" – 9 PPI Crosscut or 6 PPI Rip
  • 26" – 8 PPI Crosscut or 5.5 PPI Rip

Plate Specifications:

  • Plates are taper-ground from .04 at the toothline to .025 at the spine, with the toe end measuring .034. This design clears more material from the kerf as you cut, reducing resistance and ensuring a smooth cut.
  • Plates are evenly wet-ground to retain temper and rigidity, resulting in a hammer-tensioned, stiff plate for confident, stable cuts.
  • Crafted from Blue Tempered US 1095 spring steel with a Rockwell hardness range of 49-52, our sawplates are hammer-tensioned with a hammer-set and sharpened toothline for optimal hardwood performance. We can adjust the set for customers primarily working with softwood.

Plate Size:

  • 26" Plate: 7 1/4" at the heel, tapering to 2 5/8" at the toe.
  • 24" Plate: 7" at the heel, tapering to 2 5/8" at the toe.
  • 22" Plate: 6 3/8" at the heel, tapering to 2 7/16" at the toe.

Fit Recommendations:

  • 24"-26" Panel Saw: Best for those who are tall with a longer wingspan.
  • 22" Panel Saw: Ideal for shorter users with small wingspan.

Handle:

The Bad Axe D8 Panel saw features a traditional 1887-1896 Disston-pattern closed handle, widely regarded as the most elegant design Disston ever created at the peak of handsaw craftsmanship. Available in both standard and thumb-hole grip options, this handle offers comfort and precision. Left-handed sawyers need not worry—Bad Axe can reverse the contours of the thumbhole-grip for a perfect fit.

While the thumbhole-grip is traditionally used for rip-filed saws, many woodworkers prefer it on crosscut-filed saws, showcasing the versatility of this design. At Bad Axe, we’re happy to customize your saw with the handle and wood species that suit your personal preference.

Each Bad Axe handle is meticulously crafted from full-heart quartersawn stock in a selection of premium North American 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.

Handle Finish-

All handles are dipped in natural Watco Danish Oil, except for Walnut handles, which are finished with black walnut Watco Oil. Each handle is then polished on a Tripoli buffing wheel and sealed with a layer of carnauba wax for a smooth, durable finish.

Fasteners:

We offer four fastener options to complement your saw: Brass, for a classic, polished look; or Black, Nickel, and Niter-Blue, which are steel fasteners coated for enhanced durability. All fasteners feature a slotted nut design, allowing you to easily use a flathead screwdriver for easy adjustments.