Which is Your Favorite Japanese Dovetail Saw

[AgGEM]

And why?
With many to choose from, I dont know where to begin.
Your experience is appreciated!
Ag

[Herebrooks]

I bought a handmade Japanese dovetail saw in 1983 from Robert Meadow. He was one of the first people bringing in quality tools from Japan. To this day, it works beautifully. Something not realized by many is that the action of cutting dovetails is a ripping operation and requires a rip tooth. Any quality Japanese saw like from Hida tools or Japan woodworker will probably work better than most expensive western saws(boy I'm asking for it here). The trouble I find is Japanese saws get no respect. Because most are throw away blades, you tend to throw them in a drawer unprotected from hitting other metal, or using them to clean up gluey joints. Treat them well and they will last years and a relatively cheap price.

[Aram]

For hardwoods, I love this one.

Mitsukawa for hardwoods

Use it with a light touch and it leaves a beautiful, clean kerf -- even in very hard, gnarly wood. I like the length for long strokes once the cut gets going. Feel, balance, I like everything about it.

[Guest]

URL=http://s50.photobucket.com/user/hankknight/media/Woodworking/image_zpscur8ezvg.jpeg.html][/URL]
I have a Mitsukawa rip dozuki. It works just fine for hardwoods and is excellent for dovetails.

[JimBelair]

This one from LV. Just the right size and cuts very smoothly. I bought the bare blade and made my own handle out of cherry.



http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.as...&cat=1,42884,50663

[Paul-in-Plymouth]

http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.as...&cat=1,42870,42884,42898,70898

I’ve used this saw from LV for the past year or two on small-scale things. With an 8-mil plate and 10-mil kerf, it requires a light touch, but it cuts so fast and precisely that it doesn’t need any help beyond a light touch. The cuts are crisp, straight and smooth. And fast. It’s a pure pleasure to use.

[dustyrag]

I've had this one from Lee Valley for about 5 years. It is a saw in enjoy using.

http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.as...&cat=1,42884,42898&ap=1

[Wilbur Pan]

As far as disposable blade Japanese saws for dovetailing go, I haven’t found one better than the Gyokucho #372 dozuki. It’s not a true rip tooth dovetail saw. It has crosscut teeth with raker teeth every so often. (Think the tooth profile on an ATB table saw blade.) It’s fantastic for dovetails.

[Herebrooks]

Hida Tools lists the 372 as a rip cut dozuki, but your input is always appreciated. I'll try one for sure.
Bill

[SteveS]

I'm pretty ignorant when it comes to japanese saws. I got this dozuki rip from lee valley. I've used it in hard maple and walnut to make dovetails and like it as much as my lee valley crosscut dovetail saw. It takes a bit of getting used to but it makes a very nice thin kerf cut with very low surface roughness.



standard dozuki