1 saw to rule them all - ULTIMATE Fret Saw Comparison
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- Опубліковано 7 лют 2025
- In this video we check out: the Knew Concepts 3" and 5" MK IV, Knew Concepts 8" titanium, Blue Spruce Ultimate Coping Saw, and 3 Jewelers saws - a $15 Amazon one, a Grobet, and an Olson. This is a review and comparison to help you pick one and to show you which one I think is the best fret saw on the market today.
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I have the Knew Concepts 3" titanium fretsaw. I'm a forensic locksmith and I use the saw for sectioning locks. It works great. Interestingly a number of engineers I work with went gaga over my saw. Several of them went to their offices at break time and ordered their own saws.
I can deff see engineers LOVING the titanium frame saws on the design alone! The bonus is it works! Hahah
I'm stoked that the algorithm brought me to your channel after joining CIHI! You and Dave Corinth have the best UA-cam videos. I also appreciate that you're genuinely honest about what you're reviewing. I'm so tired of watching sponsored content and only finding out at the end that it was sponsored.
Thank you!! And I agree! I fell pray to sponsored reviews a lot and it was very frustrating. Didn't help me figure out which tool I wanted or needed. I'm hoping to change that the best I can!
Dave Corinth is awesome! Great guy!!
Too bad you didn't review the Katz Moses coping/fret saw. I'm thinking of getting it and would like to see some reviews on it.
Check this one out, my friend reviewed it and I trust this opinion plus it's only $40. I'm going to get one myself
Review on Amazon: I’m impressed a.co/d/iXiVPEr
I ordered my KM scroll/Fret saw! Can’t wait to try it out
Great info, helped me lock in which saw I want. In exchange for your knowledge, here's one for you. There's a better way to tension those low budgets. @2:52 you mention the screw at the bottom right. That's intended to shorten the length of the frame so that you can use a broken blade. IE if my blade breaks, and I have a 1/3 length and a 2/3 length, I can use that finger bolt to shrink the frame, and use the 2/3 broken length as a short blade. For tension, checkout "Jeweler's Saw Blade Tension Adjustment" video by Doug Napier, it shows how jewelers tension blades - handle to chest, pressure against bench, check the tension by sound.
That is awesome!! Thank you for sharing!!!!
Excellent comment Travis, I'm a model making hobbyist and tighten my blades the same way. There are some jewelers/piercing saw frames, GreenLion and Eclipse PS51 & FS70 come to mind, that have no frame adjustment and rely entirely on flexing the frame to fit the blade and maintain tension.
Great review! I have a Knew Concepts saw that I bought used from a gentleman about 10 years ago. Sadly, I can't remember if it's the 3" or 5". I'm pretty sure it's the 5". I rarely need to use a coping/fret saw and I'm not even sure where I stored it 😳. I do remember the frame flexing, so it's possible I have an older version that was not as robust as some of the newer ones.
I had thought about buying a Blue Spruce saw a while ago, it's just so sexy, but I'm glad to see I didn't make that mistake. I hope he gets the issues sorted out.
You very well may have an older version no flex in the current ones.
I was sad about the blue spruce also. It is beautiful and I love that it can do both but..... it is also very frustrating, esp at that price tag :(
Cool video ! Personally I can't justify the price of the Knew Concepts saw, so I went with the Bahco coping saw, simple to adjust, very reliable and also very cheap !
I was in the same boat till I got tired of multiple cuts and chiseling left over but you are 100% correct, it works and they all work! I guess I can say I'm lazy so I balance that with spending more at times hahahaaha
I've been using a cheapo Stanley coping saw and it gets the job done, but you've convinced me to add a Knew to my wishlist. My favorite tools and tricks are the ones that make work more enjoyable.
I agree with you! I don't like chiseling out waste but it works, I'm not a fan of the coping saw because of multiple cuts but it works. I enjoy dropping the blade down the kerf and sawing along the line :)
Love your video. I use the Olsen Fret 13" saw (more like 12") I do scroll work with them by hand and many of my pieces final product is up to 17". I had my first one from high school and thought it was a "Deep Coping Saw". I used it as such and boy do I laugh at my self now! It took thirty years of just having it around before I learned it's true purpose. Now I am on the verge of my own sellable product. I really wish I had information like your video 30 years ago.
That is awesome! Thank you!!! Are you making or own saws?
@@BatCaveCreations I don't make my own saws yet but look to someday. I would love to make one that's about 18"to 21" but it might be too cumbersome.
@larryblackmon2341 talk to Albert Kleine. He is one of our teachers for Plane Wellness and a boss at marquetry. He just taught a course this past weekend and was talking about fret saws and how there aren't really affordable options for deep throat ones!
Another great video! I have the 5 inch Knew Concepts saw and really like it. While at Handworks , I tested the Blue Spruce saw and loved the feel and weight of it. For me I feel the weight in the handle area which makes it seem more substantial. It seemed to power through the dovetail waste cuts. I bought it at Handworks and have used it several times. It has a great feel but the mechanism is finicky as you described. I think if I keep fiddling with it, I can get it to lock down in the desired position and keep it there.
Let me know if you learn it and get it down pat. It just kept frustrating me hahahha
as a coping saw, the blue spruce is pretty nice, but way too fiddly as a fret saw.
Great video, cleared up a lot of questions I wanted answering, the knew concepts in the uk are much dearer but gonna put the 5 inch on my Christmas list as I’ve been a very good boy this year! Lol, keep up the good work mate !
Thank you!! And I hope Santa comes through!!! :D
Love to see you kicking out saws 😜 - however, I do have the first one you threw out and (hope you are sitting down for this) I am satisfied with its performance. 😮 There is a trick I use for tensioning the blade... As you figured out, pulling the frame while tightening the frame screw does not work. How I do it: I set up everything just like you did. Then I loosen both the frame screw and one of the blade screws. Then, lengthen the frame by, let's say 3/8 or maybe around 1/2", and tighten the frame screw. Hold the handle vertical and push the opposing end of the frame down on your bench to tension the frame. Now tighten back the blade screw using your other hand. And voilà you have a workable saw ... Probably it will not produce as much tension as the Knew Concepts (rated at up to 250 N afaik), but well enough for some decent work! Remind me to put some scale under while I tension it next time, so I'll know how much tension it can hold 😉
Thank you for becoming a member!!!! oooh i still have that saw i am going to have to try that! That may be dumb but.... should i worry about braking or bending the saw in tensioning that way? haha my brain goes to a dark place thinking about that like.... what if it breaks and jabs right into my hand? hahah
@@BatCaveCreations I think its frame is made out of steel so there should be a significant amount of deformation before (if any) breaking would happen 😀. Do not give in your full body weight though 😄
@@BatCaveCreations Hope you actually receive some of the $3 that the platform charges? I once attended a live meeting where donations were collected until I figured out that YT charges 30% (ish?) of the amount... that is ridiculous imo! 😤
@timoe2469 ya they collect a HEAFTY amount. I'm not sure on the percentage but for example for $10 a month member I get $6.99. Most of my members are patreon but I like for people to have options some don't like patreon and visa versa. Either way I appreciate the support!! Thank you!!!
@@BatCaveCreations Should have gone for Patreon as well then (next month I shall do so). Looks like 30% is the "usual" YT charge for supplying their payment services 😞
Great video! Your honest opinion and reasons why are great
Thank you!!!
Specific info that really saved me some bucks on metal smith equip. Really needed this video. I don’t do wood work but I’m still liking and subscribing. Bitchin.
Thank you! And I'm happy it helped!!
I've fought with my high school quality coping saw long enough to finally buy a scroll saw...now I want a fret saw too, lol.
ps - love the fast forward struggling montage!
Haha I did the opposite, I got the fret saw and now my uncle gave me a scroll saw!
And thank you! I liked that too hahaha
nice! how about a video using the saw, changing the blade, adjusting it, etc.?
In the works :)
You need to review the new Katz Moses combo Fret saw/Scroll saw! I ordered one, still waiting for mine
I was wondering why this video was getting attention again haha didn't know he was comming out with one till today lol
Nice comparison video
I bought the MK IV KNEW CONCEPTS a few years ago. I could tell the almost exactly same story as you. I did not such an in depth analysis as you did, but I do not regret my choice. I do not use the saw that much, manly for cutting out the wast of my dove tails, but when I use it, it just does the job very well. And this is the hurdle my tools have to take if they shall have a place in my workshop: the should do the job and should be a joy to use.
SPOT ON!!! Esp when it is tools we don't use offten. If it's a tool you use one a month and it sucks you'll avoid using it and try to cut corner or ull have a bad day hahaha
I have the 8” Knew. The 8” depth may seem like overkill, but I find that I follow cut lines much more easily when the frame of the saw is parallel to the blade-likely due to my lack of skills (and aim). Nonetheless, it works for me. You don’t have to fiddle with pliers or blade rotation when the frame is far out of the way.
Interesting on the Blue Spruce; I've got their 'Ultimate Fret Saw', which (a) while similar in appearance, sure seems a lot less fiddly and (b) doesn't appear on their web site at this time.
Hm I know they have the ultimate coping saw did they make a dedicated fret saw!? That I'd love to try!
@@BatCaveCreations They did indeed make a dedicated fret saw, but it no longer seems to be an option on their site; perhaps you might inquire with them. Mine looks similar to the one you have, but it's got dedicated fret saw attachment points instead of the coping saw attachment points the one you have does. Ordered it in September 2021, and it arrived in December of 2021, so it was available at least until then. It's a very nice saw, and mine doesn't exhibit the issues evident with yours. Frankly, if they've discontinued it, happy I got mine when I did, as that dual-purpose setup seems as if it'd be much more difficult to use.
Well, the Blue Spruce saw looks to be the Rubik's cube of saws when switching blade types. Thanks for the vid.
I got the Knew Mk4 fretsaw. For the money and quality and performance it’s best saw, compared to the Blue Sprue
The advantage of jeweler's saws is that they take shorter blade lengths. So, if (when) you break the blade, you can still use it. Of course, you need both.
If you like the Blue Spruce saw (which they do not seem to be listing anymore) then make one. Copyright does not apply to what you make for yourself.
I"m realativly "KNEW" to hand tool woodworking and would like to see you do a video on the application difference between a fret saw and coping saw.
Love it! Knew! Hahah
That would be a good one! Imma write it down! I think I have a coping saw somewhere hahaha
Спасибо за интересный и познавательный рассказ!!
People may think it’s stupid, but try holding the frame not the handle and see if it would balance better.
Not dumb at all! I've done that a few times. It comes in handy sometimes! It does change the balance, you really learn which ones are handle heavy and/or well balanced lol
I often hold my saws with two hands when getting cuts started or making very precise cuts to keep it from going crazy on me.
Have you tried Rob Cosman’s fret saw?
My buddy told me thats the one with the tape on it :/
I believe Rob's to be largely a good quality jeweler's saw, with the addition of hockey tape.
It is good quality, however I'm confused because it looks exactly like an Olson saw other than he added tape :/
$50+ship for a jewlers saw is steep to me esp when you can get a Knew concepts for a bit more and it has better blade holding imo.
I guess if you have to go jewlers I'd buy the Olson and just add tape lol
All of robs tools are ridiculously expensive for the quality. Not that ive personally tryed any just from what ive seen. Much better options for your money.rob coz is overrated in my opinion.i went on his website and he wants 200 for a shooting board what a joke@BatCaveCreations
Haha and I got in trouble for saying that one was the best. Happy to have you on the dark side
Ahhaa it's scary here but in giving it a go lol
I ended up in the same place.
Have a Tissot jeweler saw that I inherited.
As a woodworker, what a pain in the anus that was.
Tensioning was difficult. (Any old timer tips on how these work)
I looked at the knew Concepts saws and thought, why the hell are they so expensive for a basic design that has been around since the Industrial Revolution.
Got one and wow.
Huge improvement.
Highly recommend them now.
SAME! I was like heck no, not paying that much but man.... I'm hooked hahaha
TravisC has posted a recommendation to view the "Jeweler's Saw Blade Tension Adjustment" video by Doug Napier. I'm not a jeweler but a model making hobbyist and I've always tightened my blades the same way. Changing the frame length enables broken blades to be reused and the adjusting screw on the end clamp is to get the tension "just so".
300 dollars????? That's nuts
A bit of a rant about Blue Spruce - how the hell can a company charge so much for something that doesnt work? You are not the first one with issues using that saw. Anytime I hear about blue spruce, the first thing is the price, the second are the defects. I have no issue with butique manufacturers, if you want something nice, you pay the price for it, but every manufacturers first priority should be functionality of their tools, especially when they dont have to cut corners to drive the price down. All of their tools look nice, but nowhere near nice enough to justify the price a subpar performance.
As for the fret saws, I use a 5 inch version of the one you showed and I've been happy with it. Since I mostly cut waste with the tensioning is sufficient for me and I never had the need for anything moore. The knew concept saw does look great though.
I agree 100% about Blue Spruce. I was very disappointed with this but tried to keep it mild in the video. Trust me I recorded a rant about how disappointed I was in the saw but deleted it upon review hahahah
What the fret
Could be a good title for this video.
Hahahaha I LOVE that!
DONE! check the thumbnail haha
A coping saw is not an essential tool at all for furniture making.
True, but I don't like chiseling waste on dovetails so I got a few saw :D
I wouldn’t Fret about the right choice. Sorry couldn’t the obvious Dad Joke. 🇦🇺👴🏻
Hahaha love it!!!!