Replies

1. 
   BG | Dec 04, 2003 07:41pm | #1

   DougW,

   The 'gap in performance' is a function of your skill...not so much the tool.  I believe the higher quality tools (in my case the LN, but the same could be said for the Adria) helped me develop my skills better and faster...therefore my performance improved.  I have not tried it but I'd bet if I took my old Stanley saw that cost my dad $4-5 bucks back in the 50"s, and cut dovetails my performance would be equal to the LN.

   In my opinion, the LN is designed to be used correctly and perform well. What I like is it provides good feedback to the user if it's being used incorrectly.  Less quality tools don't provide that feedback...   
2. 
   RRusso | Dec 04, 2003 07:41pm | #2

   Doug,

   Check out discussion 14953.1 in the joinery section. Any decent saw that is properly sharpened will do...advantage (besides being very nice, high end tools) of the LN and Adria is that they come that way out of the box. Most lower end saws don't come sharpened the right way, let alone to the correct profile.

   If you've got the money, go ahead and spring for a LN or Adria. If not, grab a lower end saw and learn to sharpen it, or send it out to be sharpened (not very expensive, 15-25 bucks, I think).

   Either way you go, the end result will be the same. You just have to balance the money/time/effort factor.

1. 
   DSW | Dec 04, 2003 08:46pm | #3

   Thanks gents.

   BG,

   You wrote:

   "What I like is it provides good feedback to the user if it's being used incorrectly. Less quality tools don't provide that feedback..."

   Pardon my ignorance here but how does a good saw provide the "being used incorrectly" feedback that you mention?

1. 
   BG | Dec 04, 2003 11:15pm | #4

   DougW,

   I'll attempt to expalin the feedback thing. I'm sure there are others here who will say that is a lot of huey...but I think these are important to a newbie.

   First, the design of the saw handle and the way your supposed to grasp it has you pushing the saw with the palm of your hand and takes your wrist out of the action.  When your pushing with the palm and your body is in the proper position the saw cuts like a hot knife through butter.

   Second, the blade is sharp...if you push down too hard initially it won't cut.  You need to start the cut gently taking long strokes.

   Third, the saw tracks well...and the thin blade binds if I start to drift left or right.  

   Fourth, this is less important, there is a nice sound and a smoothness when its cutting well...feels solid.  I don't get the same feeling from my other saws.

   As I implied in my first post, once you have the technique down any saw would probably work well.  Most of us however, don't have the opportunity for any formal trainng and anything that shortens the learning curve is of value.     

1. 
   DSW | Dec 04, 2003 11:25pm | #5

   Thanks much BG. At the outset, I suspect there will be plenty of evidence of my lack of skill without the saw indicating my errors but what you say makes sense to me, and I can see where these things would aid in the development of my skills going forward.