Knew Concepts Woodworker’s Aluminum Fretsaw

These American made fretsaws are a favorite of fine woodworkers, jewelry makers, artisans, metal-smiths, luthiers, model builders, serious home hobbyists and “makers” of all types.Woodworkers find these handsaws excel at cutting out the waste on hand cut dovetails, for fine scroll / curved cutting and for general small scale sawing tasks.

An innovative truss structure creates a very rigid frame without adding a lot of weight.The light weight makes them comfortable and easy to handle, so you can cut with improved accuracy. The unique blade mounting system lets the blade seat firmly at 90 degrees for straight-ahead cutting and also rotates, angling the blade, which provides the frame’s back more clearance (useful when sawing the baseline of a dovetail).

The amount of blade tension is easily adjusted with a large knurled knob, while a unique cam lets you apply or release blade tension instantly with the simple flip of a lever.

The 5″ fret saw is the most popular size for removing dovetail waste.

What’s the difference between Mark 3 (Mk3), Mark 4 (Mk4) & Mark 5(Mk5)saws?

Mark 3 – now discontinued and available while supplies last

Mark 3 saws are from thin lightweight 1/8″ thick anodized aluminum. The blade swivels 45° to the left and right of straight.

Mark 4

Mark 4 saws are made from 3/16″ thick powder-coated aluminum. They generate substantially more tension than the Mark 3 saws, but weigh about 50% more than the Mark 3. The blade swivels through 360°.

Mark 5 – new upgraded replacement for the Mark 3

Mark 5 saws are also made from lightweight anodized aluminum with the triangular truss design originally used in from the Mark 4 saws. The tension is about 10% higher that the Mark 3 saws, but the weight is still less than the Mark 4 saws. They also have upgraded the blade clamps for better grip. The blade swivels 45° to the left and right of straight.

Knew Concepts Fret Saw Weights
Saw Depth	Mk3	Mk4	Mk5
3″	4.6 oz (130 grams)	6.7 oz (190 grams)	5.0 oz (141 grams)
5″	5.1 oz (144 grams)	8.0 oz (226 grams)	5.5 oz (157 grams)
8″	n/a	9.8 oz (278 grams)	n/a

Knew Concepts Fret Blade Tension
Saw Depth	Mk3	Mk4	Mk5
3 “	55.5 lbs	60.0 lbs	tbd
5 “	40.0 lbs	54.0 lbs	tbd
8 “	n/a	58.4 lbs	n/a

Which saw is the right one for you?

If you want the lightest weight saw, go with the Mark 3 or Mark 5. If you want more tension, go with the Mark 4.

Blades

Each Knew Concepts fret saw comes with a single #7 skip tooth – 15 TPI blade.

Important Note:

Knew Concepts Fret Saws use premium 130mm (~5 inch) scroll or fret type blades with plain ends.They are compatible with our Olson Scrollsaw blades.Other blades may not be compatible with Knew Concepts Fret Saws.A #5 12.5tpi skip tooth blade is recommended for removing dovetail waste.