Why should you own a bowsaw? Why not? You have many other tools that you use only when you need them. Seriously, if you make 18th-century-style furniture, or you make furniture with hand tools, you should own a couple of bowsaws.
In my shop, which has all the machines you can imagine, I use bowsaws. If I cut dovetails in material thicker than 1/2″, I reach for my bowsaw. I keep my material behind my shop in a pole barn. If I have to crosscut a board for one piece, the fastest way is with a bowsaw. I put the board on a couple horses, cut it, put the leftover back on the rack and take the piece in the shop. There’s no extension cord or machine to put away.
Old methods work best. New bowsaws are tensioned with a rod and thumbscrews, but I prefer twine and a toggle. The loose end is wrapped around and through the twine to hold it in place.
In my native Hungary, I grew up without electricity. Therefore in the shop, the bowsaw was the main tool used for crosscutting, ripping, dovetailing, for mortise-and-tenon joinery and more.
My father came for a visit to the United States in 1974, and he spent some time working with me in my shop. He started looking for the frame saws. I told him, “Sorry Dad, this is America; we cut wood with machines.”
Watching Frank cuts his dovetails with two frame saws was very enlightening! Are the saws described here the same ones used in his video from your online shop classes? I would like to get a set, and/or build my own. Much appreciate the fine info you all provide. Thanks