Fast-cutting dovetail saw

Bad Axe Tool Works recently introduced a new saw to its lineup. Named for the fighting knife used by soldiers in the Special Forces, the Stiletto saw cuts with ease, is easy to control, and has a comfortable grip.

It has a narrow 12-in.-long blade that tapers from 15⁄8 in. at the toe to 13⁄4 in. at the heel. The saw comes in two plate thicknesses, 0.015 in. and 0.018 in. I recently tried out the 0.018-in. version that, including set, produced a narrow overall kerf of 0.023 in.

I used it to cut all the dovetails in an eight-drawer chest and found the Stiletto to be ideal for the job. It cuts deeper and faster with each stroke than other dovetail saws I’ve used. And the narrow blade and low hang of the handle helped make the saw easy to control.

The saw is beautifully crafted with a nickel-plated carbonsteel back, cherry handle, gun-blued saw screws and medallion, and nicely polished spring-steel blade. In my judgment the Stiletto lives up to its name. It’s a quick-cutting saw with great control.