8 Best Dovetail Saws – Top Picks & Reviews 2023

The dovetail joint is a common yet challenging cut that almost every serious woodworker will struggle to perfect. Many people don’t realize how vital the right saw is to complete the job.

We’ve chosen eight types of dovetail saws with reviews to show the best available models. We’ll go over what we like and don’t like about each brand so you can see what kind of features appeal to you. We have also included a short buyer’s guide where we look closely at dovetail saws to see what exactly they are and what you should look for while shopping.

Please keep reading while we discuss handle comfort, teeth pitch, removable blades, and more to help you make an educated purchase.

A Quick Glance at Our Favorites in 2023

Rating	Image	Product	Details
Best Overall		Ryoba 2436515 Dovetail Saw	Impulse hardened teeth 4″ blade Accurate cuts	CHECK PRICE
		Dozuki “Z” Saw 7029 Dovetail Saw	Ideal for precision joinery Removable blade High carbon steel blade	CHECK PRICE
Best Value		Okada Japanese Saw 110/7010 Dovetail Saw	Rigid blade back Kerf-creating tooth Wooden handle	CHECK PRICE
		IRWIN Tools 213104 Dovetail Saw	Flexible blade Polymer handle 22-pt tooth count	CHECK PRICE
		Robert Larson Two Cherries Dovetail Saw	10-inch blade 15 teeth per inch German steel	CHECK PRICE

The 8 Best Dovetail Saws

1. Ryoba 2436515 Dovetail Saw – Best Overall

The Ryoba 2436515 Dovetail Saw is our pick as the best overall dovetail saw. It features impulse-hardened teeth that will last many years with proper care. This double-edged saw can make several accurate cuts and is a modern variation of the Japanese pull-stroke saw.

We enjoyed using the Ryoba 2436515 Dovetail saw and were amazed at the accurate cuts we could make. The only real downside was there were no English instructions. Some people may not like how much patience is required to cut. It cuts very slowly, and trying to rush it can result in broken teeth.

2. Dozuki “Z” Saw 7029 Dovetail Saw

The Z-saw Dozuki 7029 is our runner-up for the best dovetail saw. This saw is ideal for precision joinery, and you can use it to make extremely accurate cuts. The rigid back handle helps you keep a firm grip while manipulating the high-carbon steel blade. The blades are removable for easy cleaning and replacement.

The Dozuki “Z” Saw 7029 Dovetail Saw is a nice tool, but the teeth dull too quickly for our liking. Like the top brand, this saw cuts very slowly, and once the blades dull, it’s impossibly slow. If you use this saw, expect to purchase plenty of replacement blades.

3. Okada Japanese Saw 110/7010 Dovetail Saw – Best Value

The Okada Japanese saw 110/7010 is our choice for best for the money. It is smaller and more affordable than the Dozuki but is the same in many ways. It features an easy-to-remove blade, which helps when it needs cleaning or replacing. It’s lightweight yet well-balanced, and the rigid back helps you keep a firm grip during delicate, precise cuts. The saw is extremely durable, and only the blade will need to be replaced.

The Okada Mini-Dozuki Panel Saw’s downside is that it is too small, especially when compared to the top two saws on this list. Shallow cuts, less than 2 inches, are all that’s possible with this precision saw. Another problem is that it’s slow and only suitable for softer woods. Harder woods tend to dull the teeth quickly.

4. IRWIN Tools 213104 Dovetail Saw

The IRWIN Tools 213104 is a lightweight saw that features a comfortable polymer handle and a 7¼-inch flexible blade. It has a 22-tooth count, and it’s exceptionally sharp. We found it works well for all cuts and excels in interior trim work.

The primary downside of the IRWIN Tools 213104 Dovetail Saw is that no replacement blades are available. Once the teeth on the saw begin to dull, you will need to purchase a new saw. While we appreciate a flexible saw, we felt this one flexed a bit too much and came across as flimsy.

5. Robert Larson Two Cherries Dovetail Saw

The Robert Larson Two Cherries 520-6020 is not the best dovetail saw on the market, but it features a large 10-inch blade that comes pre-sharpened. It’s German steel and has 15 teeth per inch (TPI). It’s an attractive-looking saw and features a comfortable wooden handle.

The Robert Larsen Two Cherries 10” Brass Dovetail Saw has a few negative aspects. The blade dulls very quickly, and after a few cuts, we noticed that the handle felt loose, and there was no way to tighten it. The blade is too large for the number of teeth per inch, and while we found a few good uses for it, it was neither precise enough for intricate work nor sharp enough for large cutting jobs to keep around.

6. Spear & Jackson 9540B-91 Traditional Brass Back Tenon Saw

The Spear & Jackson 9540B-91 Traditional Brass Back Tenon Saw is an old-fashioned saw with a high carbon steel blade for extra sharpness and durability. The brass back helps reinforce the steel and adds to its attractive look. Universal teeth are perfect for general cuts and projects.

While we reviewed the Spear & Jackson 9540B-91 Traditional Brass Back Tenon Saw, we felt the handle was too small. When cutting several boards, the handle becomes uncomfortable and prevents you from finishing the job.

7. PAX Thomas Flinn 1776 10 Inch Variable Pitch Dovetail Saw

The PAX Thomas Flinn 1776 10 Inch Variable Pitch Dovetail is a brand of saw made by Thomas Flinn of Sheffield, England, which is the last traditional saw and plane maker in the UK. This saw features a variable pitch tooth design that begins with teeth at 20 TPI and ends with 10 TPI teeth. This variable pitch allows you to start cuts easier with one end of the saw while cutting faster using the other. The Thomas Flinn saw is hand-sharpened and polished to a mirror finish.

The primary downside of the saw is that it is quite expensive, and you can purchase several other saws on this list for less money. We also found the handle uncomfortable on this brand, and the sharp point hurt us a few times

8. Rob Cosman’s Dovetail Saw

Rob Cosman’s Dovetail Saw is the final saw on our list, but it’s far from being a bad saw. This saw was created by Rob Cosman, who is a professional woodworker and teacher who is very popular among student woodworkers. This brand uses a unique design that features a heavy brass back.

The extra weight provides the downward pressure you need to make better cuts, and the saw also features a variable pitch teeth scheme. The teeth close to the end of the saw are 22 TPI to help make it easier to get cuts started, while the teeth near the handle are 15 TPI, allowing the saw to remove more material with each stroke.

Rob Cosman’s Dovetail Saw’s downside is it’s unbelievably expensive. So much so that it’s unlikely to be your first saw. Woodworkers who spend this kind of money on a saw know precisely what they are looking for and why.

Buyer’s Guide – How to Choose the Best Dovetail Saw

Let’s find out what a dovetail saw is and what we should look for while we shop.

What is a dovetail saw?

A dovetail saw is for applications that require precision cuts and a clean appearance. The saw makes joints like the dovetail, where two pieces of wood must fit together snuggly.

Blade

Dovetail saws have skinny blades with a varying number of teeth. The blades are somewhat flexible and can get into tiny spaces. The blade is usually short and usually only cuts on the push stroke, though more brands use a pull stroke instead.

Teeth Per Inch – TPI

The teeth per inch, or TPI,  is a count of teeth per inch on a given blade. More teeth create a smoother cut, while teeth spaced further apart can remove wood faster and cut quickly, but the blade can leave jagged marks in the wood.

Most dovetail saws have blades with between 12 and 22 teeth per inch. Many modern saws use a variable TPI blade, and the teeth closer to the handle will be spaced further apart for faster cutting.

The Handle

The handle is an often overlooked but vital part of any hand saw. Even gentle sawing can create a lot of stress on the hands, and the wrong handle can make any job more difficult. There are a few common types of handles, and we recommend getting familiar with each to determine which kind you like best.

Conclusion

The Ryoba 2436515 is the best dovetail saw on our list due to the second side for ripping and its thin and precise blade. The Z-saw Dozuki 7029 is our runner-up due to its easy-to-change blades and sturdy design. The Okada Japanese saw 110/7010 is our choice for the best value, including a sturdy blade with a woodpecker tooth and rigid back, all for a great price.

Hopefully, our reviews have helped you learn more about dovetail saws. Now that you know what makes for a great dovetail saw, you should able to find the model that works best for you and also comes at a price that you’ll love, too.