Backsaw saw back mortises: Tight or loose, which is better?

jeudi 27 novembre 2014

In my collection of saws I have noted a very wide range of closeness of fit of the saw back to the mortise in the saw handle. Thus I have a question: Which is better, loose and sloppy or tight? I can see arguments both ways. Sloppy looks messy but it may have the very useful characteristic of allowing the saw back to move about while the saw is in use without placing stress on the sides of the mortise thus reducing the risk of breaking out the upper cheeks of the handle. Tight may also be of utility, particularly with thinner saw plates, in that it holds the back more rigidly in line with the cut preventing wandering. Most of the makers on the Forum cut tight mortises. What's better and why?

Here are some examples. First a series of Disston backsaws of varying era.

This is an old Disston #4. Nice and tight and the blade slot does not project back into the handle.

Disston #4.jpg

Old miter box saw. Again the back is fitted nicely.

Disston miter #1.jpg

A newer miter saw. Mortise is tight but the blade slot cuts deeply into the face of the handle.

Disston miter #3.jpg

And what looks like the newest Disston, terrible fit of the back in my opinion.\

Disston miter #2.jpg

Now for maker #1. Saw 1 perfect fit.

Maker #2 saw 2.jpg

Likewise for saw 2.

Maker #2 saw 1.jpg

And for saw 3.

Maker #2 saw 3.jpg

Maker #2 saw 1 perfect fit.

Maker #1 saw 2.jpg

Saw 2 is also perfect.

Maker #1 saw 3.jpg

Saw 3 however has a slight over-run of the blade slot into the handle, back fit is excellent.

Maker 1 saw 1.jpg

Maker 3, sloppy fit of the back to the mortise and a deep cut into the face of the handle. This is also the saw with the soft blade I discussed in my thread on hardening saw plates ()

Maker #3 saw 1.jpg

So what do you think? Tight or loose? Why?

Attached Images