The Knew Concepts Birdcage Fretsaw: a critical look
For
reference, if unfamiliar with past reviews, there is an article I
wrote about the development of the KC fretsaw for use in woodworking.
This details how it came about and how it evolved, and is really
essential reading if interested in but new to the KC fretsaw:
http://www.inthewoodshop.com/ToolReviews/KnewConceptsFretsaw.html
Having
been there from the start of the woodworking models, it is not
surprising that I am still interested in its progress even though I
no longer have input into the design. My good fortune is to have a
great friend in Lee Marshall, who sends me saws and asks my
opinion.
Here
is the new (left) and the original (right) versions of the 5"
fretsaw:
New (bottom) and original (top) ..
The
change in the construction of the titanium model was forced upon Lee
by the cost of the material. Lee had to find a better way of using it
- a one-piece construction was too wasteful of titanium sheets and
too expensive to manufacture in this form. And so the "Birdcage"
design came about (my name for it is the "Eiffel
Tower" ).
I
raised concerns (from photos) with Lee even before I had a chance to
try it out: the reason why the original fretsaw has been such a hit
is partly because the frame is so stiff to create high blade tension,
and partly because it is so light to create great control. The new
saw design threatened to maintain the stiffness but at the expense of
the lightness where it counted - at the back of the frame where it
would affect the balance.
Lee
sent me a fretsaw (actually, he sent me the new coping saw as well -
photo later), and I had the opportunity to put it through its paces.
This was now several months ago, and it was used in my then current
project, the Kist-of-many-dovetails.
After
using the fretsaw to remove the waste on about 60 through dovetails
in hard and interlocked Curly Marri, my opinion was that the back of
the saw did noticeably weigh more and that it indeed changed its
balance negatively.
It
must be pointed out that this would likely go unnoticed by those who
did not have the opportunity to use the two saws side-by-side. The
differences are not great, but are nevertheless real. I thought that
the new saw was not as nice to use as the original version.
The
other change in the new saw was a slightly improved blade adjustment
mechanism courtesy of a wider knurled knob. I think that the knurled
knobs for the blade were made standard a while ago, but they were
originally T-bars, which did not look nearly as nice or work as well
as the knurled knobs.
Old
above, new below ...
What
appears improved further is the blade tension. The original saw
created high tension. The new version goes a little better. More
tension is good tension.
How to use the new fretsaw
It
dawned on me that I could – and should - use the saw in a different
way for dovetail waste removal. One of the factors that stirred my
thoughts was my preference in handle design.
The
original saw came with a handle that I considered to be short ... but
then I like longer handles in my chisels, so that should not come as
a surprise to those who have read my comments on chisel handle
design. Lee agreed that the (original) fretsaw handles could be
improved, however he saw this as an improvement in looks/materials
and not design or ergonomics. If you want a handle made from a more
exotic wood, Elkhead
Tools
make
them, and they are indeed stunning!
There
is no doubt that these fretsaw handles are in the same class as the
Dave Jeske's Blue Spruce chisel handles, which I consider some of the
best around. But the Elkhead are not my design of choice in this
instance since they are not actually much longer than the originals
(having stated this, they may well now have alternate designs
available).
My
preference is for a longer handle. Here you can see the KC handles
alongside one I made ...
It
was this handle that gave me the idea to use the new fretsaw with two
hands rather than one ..
What
a difference! Now the saw was completely rock solid and balanced.
I
have used this grip on the KC coping saw as well. Again it creates a
solid, balanced saw for great control ..
The
double-handled grip may be used with the existing handles on the KC
saws. They do not need to be changed out. However, the double-handed
grip is easier with a longer handle. Easy enough to make if you
prefer this. Or get one made (try Elkhead). If others agree, I will
work on Lee to offer an optional longer handle.
Bottom
line: if you have the original version, you have a great saw. If you
have the new version, you have an improved version of a great saw.
Regards
from Perth
Derek
December 2013