Bad Axe vs. PAX panel saws

[Kentexian]

Question for the group:

Is the Bad Axe D8 twice as good as the PAX panel saw? Because it’s definitely twice the price.

I am in the market for a pair of panel saws. I’ve bought a dozen old Disstons from various years and I’m just not happy with them. I’m always worried about blowing out a handle. I always wish the plate was polished to help align and orient the cut. Both of these are the “good case” scenarios, because 2/3s of what I find are unusable due to kinked blades and I honestly believe they probably cut smoother when new because of corrosion and pitting.

Now, I really want them both in 20” length…I like the compactness. I’m not using them for heavy carpentry. The Bad Axe can be had in this length but the PAX seems to be only 22”…I could live with it.

The Bad Axe is crazy expensive, and I absolutely HATE the company name (not that this has anything to do with the performance).

For me it comes down to this: which saw has the better materials (is one of a superior metal?), which saw has the better craftsmanship (does one have a better taper-grind, better handle material, more stable hardware?), which company has the better customer support (does one company warranty their saw to a greater degree)?

I’d love to hear everyone’s opinion, especially if you used one or both of these saws.

Thanks!

 

[2feathers Creative Making]

I have only used older saws. Why not refurbished the plate, reset the teeth, and make yourself a new quartersawn hickory handle? Surely that beats just buying something ready to use...

 

[2feathers Creative Making]

Sawmillcreek has a few reviews of Pax. Not at all, fully favorable... you may want to check there as well if nobody here has used these saws. I, (poor boy), got the sawsets at garage sales for 2 to 5 bucks. I like the old stuff. A LOT!

 

[Kentexian]

I have only used older saws. Why not refurbished the plate, reset the teeth, and make yourself a new quartersawn hickory handle? Surely that beats just buying something ready to use...

I had planned to do exactly that, I even managed to pick up a foley-belsaw retoother and a few auto setters.

I enjoy restoring and using old tools as a hobby, but I’d also like to have something new exactly to my specification, ya know?

 

[2feathers Creative Making]

I would go for the test drive if I could find them both. Time it, use wet wood and dry wood in your test. At least 3 cuts each to get a good feel for the handle and the saw itself.

 

[ripjack13]

@Schroedc may have inside scoop on this...

 

[woodtickgreg]

@Schroedc may have inside scoop on this...

That's right! I think he worked for them for awhile.