The Gramercy Tools 12" Carcase Saws

The Gramercy Tools 12" carcase saws are hand filed, hammer set, and patterned after 18th century design principles. We call them "carcase" saws, which is the proper 18th and 19th century terminology, to call attention to our saws’ 18th century roots.

The carcase saws are filed either crosscut or rip. The crosscut version is used for all sorts of joinery, starting with cutting stock to length, and all joints in which where shoulders and other cuts must be made across the grain. The saw is 14ppi, hand-filed at a 14 degree rake angle and about 20-22 degrees of fleam, so that it will cut quickly with a tooth strong enough to hold an edge in hardwoods. We think you will like the smoothness of cut and the general speed at which the saw cuts.

The rip filed version is used mostly for cutting tenon cheeks and the like, but it’s also very handy for larger dovetails and for gang-cutting tails when the need arises. The saw is has 12ppi with an aggressive zero rake angle. Because we hand file the saws, you end up with a tiny bit of fleam, which will help a little on diagonal cutting. We think you will find it cuts pretty smooth and starts easy for a saw this size.

Both saws are made of .020" 1095 steel at around 48-52rc hardness. That a little harder than most modern "Swedish Saw" steel, but 1095 is closer to the early carbon steels used in saws, and we like the spring and hardness in the steel.

Both saws are canted, which means that the depth of cut at the toe (front) is a little shallower than at the heel. This makes the saw easier to track, needs less force, and overall easier to use. It’s a feature you find on all early saws until mass production took over (and even then some saws have it). Depth of cut at the toe is 2 1/8"

The carcase saw’s American black walnut handle is stronger and has a lower hang than our dovetail saw’s, and has a lower center of gravity relative to the folded brass back. These qualities help you feel when your cuts are vertical and straight and generally contribute to the saw’s responsiveness and control. Like the Gramercy dovetail saw, the carcase saw is branded with a decorative etch in the classic tradition, only this one has more detail to reflect the larger size of saw.

Available singly, as a pair, or as a joinery set with the dovetail saw and a cross-cut carcase saw. The saw is also available as a kit. Shipped sharp and ready to use. With instructions. Made in USA.

• Highly Recommended!! - 4 of 5 testers pick the Gramercy Carcase saw as their recommended saw - Woodworking Magazine Fall 2009)
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