MikeWhy wrote:

Backsaws typically come unsharpened. They're not especially
difficult to keep sharp, but I don't find them worth the trouble. I
use pre-sharpened, disposable Japanese pull saws instead. One for
one, the sharper, finer saw gives the faster and cleaner cut. It's
tough to beat the cheap ryobas and dozukis. My most favorite saw
for joinery is a moderately priced rip dozuki.



I've never seen a new back saw, or any new saw for that matter, that
was sold unsharpened. Can you cite an example?


Toolsforwoodworking.com.


Hmmm. Wrong one. Try this:
http://toolsforworkingwood.com/


If by not unsharpened, you mean the tooth shaped edge on the slab of
soft steel... I have yet to see one that could cut worth a darn straight
out of the package. It's not much different from a newly bought chisel.


It looks like "Tools For Woodworking" is selling Pax and Gramercy saws.
Both are sold sharpened. Some of the Gramercy's indicate they are a
"hand-filed and hand-set saw for the smoothest action".

http://www.toolsforworkingwood.com/M...Category_Code=

The saws may not be set up the way you prefer but they are sharpened.

The quality of the steel in the saw will not change no matter how it's
sharpened.

Chisels are sold sharpened but usually unhoned. A honed chisel's edge
wouldn't fair well in shipping.

--
Jack Novak
Buffalo, NY - USA