sending back a Knew Concepts saw

[Tom M King]

Part of it is my fault, but not all. I've never had any trouble using a normal coping saw, or jeweler's saw, but decided I'd get one of these. I ordered a 5" Mk IV off of Amazon.

The my fault part is that I didn't look close enough to see that they made ones that the blades didn't turn. Not having ever used either a coping saw, or jewelers saw that didn't allow multiple positions of the blade, I didn't give any thought to it. The one I got only allows the blade to face in line with the frame. Now, I've been using regular ones for at least 46 years, but I can't remember a single time using one with the blade in line with the frame.

One that only allows the blade to be in line with the frame is useless to me. I can't think of any reason to own one.

But that is not the only problem. It came in an Amazon box, with just a little brown paper around it. It was in a ziplock bag, but the bag wasn't large enough to also enclose the handle. Not that either of those mattered, if it arrived here okay, but it didn't. The blade was broken. Now, I wouldn't worry about a single jewelers saw blade getting broken, but the end is broken off in one of the blade holders, that doesn't turn, and I couldn't get it out without resorting to using some tools that I didn't have right there. The broken end is still in there.

I emailed Knew Concepts, and did get an automated response (this was all last week), but haven't heard anything back from them.

I have until Sept. 18 to return it to Amazon, which I think I'll do. Still haven't used one of these. The handle is worse than the stock Disston handle on my oldest coping saw, but that doesn't bother me much.

[mike stenson]

So, another $25 to be able to turn the blade? BTW, I agree having a blade in alignment with a coping/fret saw renders it pretty useless.

[glenn bradley]

Amazon Returns shouldn't give you any trouble about it. It is always a sort of "stop the world" moment when we run into something that is very familiar but, just plain different than expected. I wonder what people who cope use a fixed blade frame for?

[Jim Koepke]

I wonder what people who cope use a fixed blade frame for?

All kinds of things. Before the KnewConcepts saw only one of my fret saws had an ability to rotate the blade:

440161

My KnewConcepts saw was purchased before the introduction of their saw with a full 360º rotation:

440162

My purchase would have been put on hold if it was known they were coming out with a better version, even at a higher price.

BTW, what many have done when they need a blade at right angles to the frame is to give the blade a twist with a couple pairs of pliers.

That is one reason for having more than one frame.

jtk

[Clifford McGuire]

Yes, I'd return it if I were you. If nothing else, that packing is unacceptable.

About 5 months ago I ordered the 5" directly from Knew Concepts. It arrived well packed in a box. I did get the swivel model, but haven't needed it yet. I do smaller dovetail boxes, so the reach is enough with the blade aligned to the frame.

It's been a game changer for me. They're not cheap, so you should expect more than what you recieved.

And I agree, the handle is poor. Especially compared to the quality of the rest of the saw.

[Derek Cohen]

Part of it is my fault, but not all. I've never had any trouble using a normal coping saw, or jeweler's saw, but decided I'd get one of these. I ordered a 5" Mk IV off of Amazon.

The my fault part is that I didn't look close enough to see that they made ones that the blades didn't turn. Not having ever used either a coping saw, or jewelers saw that didn't allow multiple positions of the blade, I didn't give any thought to it. The one I got only allows the blade to face in line with the frame. Now, I've been using regular ones for at least 46 years, but I can't remember a single time using one with the blade in line with the frame.

One that only allows the blade to be in line with the frame is useless to me. I can't think of any reason to own one.

But that is not the only problem. It came in an Amazon box, with just a little brown paper around it. It was in a ziplock bag, but the bag wasn't large enough to also enclose the handle. Not that either of those mattered, if it arrived here okay, but it didn't. The blade was broken. Now, I wouldn't worry about a single jewelers saw blade getting broken, but the end is broken off in one of the blade holders, that doesn't turn, and I couldn't get it out without resorting to using some tools that I didn't have right there. The broken end is still in there.

I emailed Knew Concepts, and did get an automated response (this was all last week), but haven't heard anything back from them.

I have until Sept. 18 to return it to Amazon, which I think I'll do. Still haven't used one of these. The handle is worse than the stock Disston handle on my oldest coping saw, but that doesn't bother me much.

Tom, I really wonder why they sell the fixed blade model? It seems so far from what is not only available but what most prefer! I worked with Lee Marshall to design the fretsaw for woodworkers. It was actually my initiative that started the ball rolling, but Lee’s creativity and enthusiasm that drove it along. The story is here ...

http://www.inthewoodshop.com/ToolReviews/KnewConceptsFretsaw.html

The later, birdcage version, is here: http://www.inthewoodshop.com/ToolReviews/KnewConceptsBirdcageFretsaw.html

These are the fretsaws. The coping saw is in the middle, below ...

https://i.postimg.cc/bvt3cXz9/saws1.jpg

My favourite fretsaw, in Titanium, with my custom handle ...

https://i.postimg.cc/m2bVvZYc/New-handle3.jpg

Here is a video of the fretsaw removing dovetail waste - how to use it for accuracy ...


https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=M6O4rY_0zQs

Regards from Perth

Derek

[Mike Henderson]

And I agree, the handle is poor. Especially compared to the quality of the rest of the saw.

It's not too difficult to change the handle as long as you have a lathe to make a new one. Here's (http://www.mikes-woodwork.com/KnewHandle.htm)what I did to put a new handle on one.

Mike

[Tom M King]

I think I'll return it, and order one direct. I wouldn't be surprised if this one has not already been returned once, considering the small ziplock bag packaging.

I don't have the time to make another handle, even though I have the stuff to do it with. If I'm working, someone is paying me, and I don't expect them to pay me to work on my tools. Normal stuff, yes, but not things like making a more comfortable tool handle. This handle seems to be for a person with small hands. Even the old, cheap ones fill my hand.

[Mike Brady]

Honestly, both of the Knew Concepts saws I have came in those zip-lock bags. The bit of broken blade should come out easily. In general, they design and make great saws. You unfortunately bought the wrong one for the application. Since you are reordering, I recommend the heavier saw with the red epoxy finish rather than the original saw with the anodized finish. The beefier saw works better for woodworking; and I have used both extensively.

[Alan Schwabacher]

It is true that a coping saw that allows the blade to turn is most convenient, but the others can be used as well. To use them you don't leave the blade facing forward, but twist the blade at each end before tightening it fully, often by about 45 degrees.

[ken hatch]

If you need a turning saw a much better option than either a fret or coping saw no matter who makes it is the the TFWW Gramercy Tools 12" Bow Saw. The blade is very narrow, narrow enough to fit in a Japanese pull saw kerf unlike a coping saw blade but will not break like a fret saw blade. Because the blade is 12" long each stroke will remove more than a 6" or even 8" coping saw. It may not be as "space age" as the Knew Concepts saw and it does cost almost as much but it is also a better saw for the job of removing dovetail waste.

BTW, I have both Knew Concepts saws and the Gramercy 12" bow saw as well as the usual assortment of other makes of coping and fret saws hanging on my shop cabinet, the only one used is the Gramercy.

As always YMMV,

ken

[Clifford McGuire]

It's not too difficult to change the handle as long as you have a lathe to make a new one. Here's (http://www.mikes-woodwork.com/KnewHandle.htm)what I did to put a new handle on one.

Mike

Dumb question, but what if you don't have a lathe. Is that handle a standard size?

[andy bessette]

...I recommend the heavier saw with the red epoxy finish...

Red was an extremely unfortunate choice for Knew Concepts. The original silver color was elegant. What were they thinking?

[Mike Henderson]

Dumb question, but what if you don't have a lathe. Is that handle a standard size?

The idea, I suppose, is to replace the handle with one that better fits your hand. I don't know where you could purchase a handle that would work for the saw - I think you'd need to turn one to your specifications.

Mike

[Mike Henderson]

Red was an extremely unfortunate choice for Knew Concepts. The original silver color was elegant. What were they thinking?

I have a couple of the saws and don't mind the red color. But I'm not very color oriented. I'd probably be equally satisfied with just about any color.

Mike

[Tony Wilkins]

Dumb question, but what if you don't have a lathe. Is that handle a standard size?
Elk head tools makes handles for them (which are also available from Lee Valley).

[Andrew Pitonyak]

Mine is old, I bought it shortly after they came out and they offered one in titanium; over kill, but who cares. I purchased the Elk handle even before I brought it home; I ordered the saw to pickup at a show and I purchased the handle at the show. The Elk is much better in the hand, and it has a nice brass ferrule. The ferrule that came with my saw was kind of junk; don't get me wrong, it worked. Even if I had the ability to turn, then I would need to get a ferrule. Off hand, it looks like the newer saws might come with a better ferrule.

https://www.leevalley.com/en-us/shop/tools/hand-tools/saws/fret/71611-handles-for-knew-concepts-fret-saws

Lots of money for a handle and ferrule, but I do not regret it.

[Andrew Pitonyak]

It's not too difficult to change the handle as long as you have a lathe to make a new one. Here's (http://www.mikes-woodwork.com/KnewHandle.htm)what I did to put a new handle on one.

Mike

Mike, your link would have been useful to me years ago when I had to pull the handle from mine :-)

[Tom M King]

I noticed today, when I was packing it up for the Amazon return, that it is a 3", instead of the 5" I ordered, and received credit back for.

[Jim Koepke]

I noticed today, when I was packing it up for the Amazon return, that it is a 3", instead of the 5" I ordered, and received credit back for.

This is one of the items where my choice is usually to purchase it directly from the maker.

For me the handle isn't the best in the world but it gets the job done. One of these days a round tuit may come along and a replacement handle will be turned on the lathe.

jtk

[lowell holmes]

Actually you can make a new handle with saws and smooth them with planes, chisels, and knives, then sand them smooth.

[Andrew Pitonyak]

Actually you can make a new handle with saws and smooth them with planes, chisels, and knives, then sand them smooth.

I have considered that, especially while thinking about things such as a chisel handle. I think I saw someone do that here on the creek and I was like "hey, I could do that" :D but I never have.