Specifications
Specification | Details |
|---|---|
Blade Length | 7.25 in (18.4 cm), suitable for fine dovetail and trim work |
TPI/PPI | 22-pt (21 TPI), gives smooth, even cuts |
Blade Material | High Speed Steel (HSS), works with induction-hardened teeth for longer sharpness |
Blade Thickness | Micro-thin, 0.015 inch (0.38mm), provides flexibility for flush cuts |
Handle Type and Material | Polymer handle, comfortable and stable grip for longer use |
Tooth geometry | Induction-hardened teeth, fine geometry for precise cuts; exact tooth shape not specified. |
Weight | 0.24 lb (0.11 kg), lightweight to reduce hand fatigue |
Replaceable or Fixed Blade | Replaceable, quick-release system for easy blade changes |
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.
The Good
- Sharpness: Cuts start clean and fast because the blade is very sharp, so less tear-out on small parts.
- Thin kerf: Thin cut leaves minimal waste and helps make precise, fine joinery and flush cuts.
- Flush cuts: Flexible blade lets you cut flush to surfaces with little sanding afterward, ideal for dowels.
- Lightweight: Small, light tool fits a toolbox and is easy to use for quick, on-site trimming.
- Value: Low price makes it easy to keep as a backup or replace when worn without major cost.
- Comfort: Polymer handle is reported comfortable and provides a stable grip during detail work.
The Bad
- Tooth Fragility: Teeth commonly chip or break, especially on nails, knots, or hard plywood, shortening blade life.
- Blade Flex: Excessive flexibility makes straight, controlled dovetail cuts harder and increases user error.
- Replacement Blades: Replacement blades are scarce or costly in practice, so the saw often becomes disposable.
- Short Lifespan: Many users report the blade dulls or fails after weeks to months under normal use.
- Not Heavy-Duty: Performs poorly on thick hardwoods and plywood; not suitable for heavy or repeated ripping.
- Storage Risk: Blade bends or kinks easily in tool bags or drawers, risking permanent deformation.
- Quality Variance: Some units arrive with missing or broken teeth or loose handle fit, suggesting inconsistent QA.
What did others say?
We couldn’t find any valuable quotes about this product from other review websites like us 🙁
Scores
Feature | Details | Score (1-10) |
|---|---|---|
Blade Length | 7.25 in (184 mm) | 1 |
TPI | 22-pt (21 TPI) | 1 |
Plate Thickness | Micro-thin, 0.015 inch (0.38mm) | 6 |
Tooth Geometry | Fine geometry for precise cuts | 6 |
Material | High Speed Steel (HSS) | 7 |
Overall Score | – | 4.2/10 |
How does it compare with others?
Dovetail Saw | Blade Length Sc. (1-10) | TPI Sc. (1-10) | Plate Thickness Sc. (1-10) | Tooth Geometry Sc. (1-10) | Material Sc. (1-10) | Overall Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IRWIN Marples Dovetail Saw | 1 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 4.2/10 |
5 | 2 | 10 | 10 | 7 | 6.8/10 | |
8 | 8 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 6.6/10 |
Worth it?
Buy If:
- You want razor-sharp, clean cuts on small parts and trim.
- You do frequent flush-cutting of dowels or pegs where a thin kerf helps.
- You need a lightweight, pocketable saw for quick on-site or toolbox jobs.
- You prefer an inexpensive backup/disposable blade for occasional fine work.
Don’t Buy If:
- You cut thick hardwoods, plywood, or materials that will quickly chip or dull teeth.
- You require rigid, ultra-straight dovetail cuts—blade flex reduces control.
- You expect easy OEM replacement blades or long blade life—spares are hard to find.
- You store tools loosely or need a rugged jobsite saw—the blade bends/kinks easily.
This Irwin dovetail pull saw is excellent as a cheap, very sharp tool for flush cuts, small trim, and quick detail work.
It’s not built for heavy, repeated hardwood cutting or precision dovetailing; if longevity, replaceable OEM blades, or stiff-backed accuracy matter, step up to a backsaw or higher-end pull saw.
If you see any kind of mistake in our content, make sure to reach out to us.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can it cut through hardwood?
Yes, but with important limits. Multiple users report the saw will slice hardwoods, and its thin kerf and sharp teeth make short, precise cuts possible.
However, the teeth chip or break quickly when used on dense hardwoods, plywood, or if the blade hits metal or knots.
In short: it can cut hardwood for light, short, precision work, but heavy or repetitive hardwood cutting will shorten the blade’s life markedly.
Does its blade retain sharpness over time?
Mixed, and highly use-dependent. The blade is very sharp out of the box and cuts cleanly at first.
After that: some users got many months to a year or more with intermittent, careful use; others had teeth chip or the blade become unusable after only a few uses on tougher material.
The common pattern is initial excellent sharpness followed by relatively rapid loss of usable teeth when the blade is stressed (hardwoods, plywood, nails, knots), so expect variable longevity and plan on replacement or treating it as a semi-disposable tool.
Does its polymer handle provide a comfortable grip?
Generally yes. The polymer handle is comfortable and provides a stable grip for detail work.
That said, a minority reported issues (loose handle fit or plastic failure), so while most users find it comfortable, there are occasional quality/control exceptions.
Is this easy to clean and maintain?
Cleaning specifics are not documented here. Practical maintenance that is supported: keep the blade covered when stored to prevent bending or damage, avoid cutting into metal or very hard knots, and store it so the thin blade cannot kink.
Replacement blades from the OEM are effectively unavailable, so maintenance beyond careful use and storage is limited, once teeth are chipped, the usual remedy is replacing the whole saw or sourcing aftermarket blades.
The Grain Bros was started to serve woodworkers who can’t find products for their specific use case. We found out that there are not many media outlets extensively covering this topic. That’s why, we are here, to do the research and find the perfect products for your next DIY project. So you don’t have to juggle your tools and laptop at the same time.