Crown 195 vs Irwin Tenon Saws: Brass Back vs Lightweight!

Quick verdict

Crown 195 12″ Tenon Saw delivers straighter, resharpenable performance after tuning; Irwin 12 TPI Tenon Saw is cheaper and lighter, but overall Crown 195 wins.

Also check similar comparisons:

1. Irwin 12 TPI Tenon Saw vs. Spear & Jackson 9540B-91 Tenon Saw
2. Crown 195 12″ Tenon Saw vs. Spear & Jackson 9540B-91 Tenon Saw

At-a-glance specs

Feature	Irwin 12 TPI Tenon Saw	Crown 195 12″ Tenon Saw
Blade Length	10 in (250 mm)	12 in (305 mm)
TPI	12 TPI	13 TPI
Blade Material	Welded (Hardpoint)	High carbon steel (resharpenable)
Handle Type and Material	Soft-grip handle (ultrasonic-welded)	Full handle; Fagus sylvatica (German beech) secured with screws
Spine Type	[Missing data]	Brass back
Weight	0.33 lb (0.15 kg / 150 g)	1.7 lb (0.77 kg)

Note: We don’t test products ourselves. We review user feedback and/or community discussions to recommend top options with their necessary information. This info can be susceptible to misinterpretation.

Cut Quality and Precision

• Irwin 12 TPI Tenon Saw: Sharp out of the box; gives accurate, tear-free cuts for fine joinery and mitre-box work, but thin blade can flex and needs careful technique to avoid tear-out.
• Crown 195 12″ Tenon Saw: After removing coating and sharpening, cuts are smooth, fine-kerfed, and track straight with low effort; performs like pricier saws for accurate tenons and joinery.

Handle Comfort and Ergonomics

• Irwin 12 TPI Tenon Saw: Soft-grip handle feels ergonomic and secure for short to medium sessions, though quality varies between samples and some report sweaty, cheaper plastic versions.
• Crown 195 12″ Tenon Saw: Full hardwood beech handle, screw-fastened, feels solid and comfortable, aiding control; stays secure in use.

Back Stiffness and Stability

• Irwin 12 TPI Tenon Saw: Thinner back and blade can bend under heavier cuts; stability is lower than premium rib saws and long strokes demand extra care.
• Crown 195 12″ Tenon Saw: Brass back adds stiffness and balance, helping straighter, more accurate cuts after tuning; occasional QC issues exist but not typical.

Sharpening and Maintenance

• Irwin 12 TPI Tenon Saw: Hardpoint welded teeth stay sharp but cannot be resharpened, limiting long-term serviceability for heavy users.
• Crown 195 12″ Tenon Saw: High-carbon blade is resharpenable; initial factory set and sharpness often need reworking, plus coating removal to reduce drag.

Weight and Balance

• Irwin 12 TPI Tenon Saw: Very light at 0.33 lb (0.15 kg / 150 g); easy to maneuver, reducing fatigue on small projects.
• Crown 195 12″ Tenon Saw: Heavier overall at 1.7 lb (0.77 kg), but balance and brass back improve control without excessive fatigue.

Scores snapshot

Feature	Irwin 12 TPI Tenon Saw	Crown 195 12″ Tenon Saw
Blade Length (1–10)	4	8
TPI (1–10)	6	8
Handle Design (1–10)	8	10
Blade Steel (1–10)	9	10
Spine (1–10)	6	10
Overall Score	6.6/10	9.2/10

Who should buy which?

Buy Irwin 12 TPI Tenon Saw if you:

• You want sharp, clean cuts for fine tenon and mitre-box work.
• You value strong performance at a low price for DIY or occasional pro jobs.
• You prefer a lightweight, comfortable saw for short-to-medium sessions.

Buy Crown 195 12″ Tenon Saw if you:

• You will remove the coating and sharpen or adjust the teeth.
• You mainly cut tenons and rip joinery and want a straight, low-effort cut.
• You want durable balance, a comfortable screwed hardwood handle, and resharpenable steel.

Don’t buy either if you:

• You expect perfect, tuned performance out of the box with zero variability.
• You won’t accept any chance of QC issues or inconsistent ergonomics.

Final verdict

• Choose Crown 195 12″ Tenon Saw for stiff, accurate, resharpenable joinery after basic tuning.
• Pick Irwin 12 TPI Tenon Saw when budget, light weight, and simple, occasional fine work matter most.