D-Handle vs Barrel Grip Festool Carvex. Which one should you buy?

It's Carvex vs Carvex on today's video. I had the rare opportunity to compare a barrel grip Carvex to the D-handle Carvex side-by-side. And I was able to determine "which version of the Festool Carvex do I want?
Model Numbers are:
Festool Jigsaw PS 420 EBQ-Plus CARVEX - 576181
Festool 576531 Cordless Carvex Jigsaw PSBC 420 EB BASIC w/ Systainer3, Tool Only
Product Links
Corded Barrel Grip: texastoolcraft...
Corded D-Handle: texastoolcraft...
I recommend cordless!
Cordless Barrel Grip: texastoolcraft...
Cordless D-Handle: texastoolcraft...
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[@toolchuck]

Robert, the blade guide adjustment is very critical on these, not only for performance but for overall fitment and wear on the blades and guides. If you are seeing sparks, 🤦‍♂️ it was probably because the guides were too tight, and the carbide guides were cutting/grinding into the blade. You should always give a quick wiggle check of the blade after changing or switching them to ensure that there is enough play in the guide. Too loose will only affect the cut quality, but too tight can damage the blade and cause excessive wear on the guides. All the Best, Chuck P.S. my jigsaw skills suck too. 😎

[@DaileyWoodworks]

Yep those guides definitely have a small “Goldielocks zone”

[@Jtx_Tools]

Thank you for making this video Very informative. I will be buying the D Handle also

[@stenmoeller]

It very much depend on the size of your hands/length of your fingers. Also, if you use it on a properly fixed flat surface, the increased distance from the surface doesn't matter. Me, I've got fairly short fingers and much prefer the D-grip because I get a much firmer grip on the tool. Then there is also the thing you are mentioning, the much faster access to the trigger.

[@brentprosser7293]

I don't understand why cordless if you've already got a vacuum hose hooked up. I tried the battery track saw and with the hose, it doesn't make sense to go cordless. And the reason I get festool is for the dust extraction superiority. I guess each to his own.

[@DaileyWoodworks]

I’m not always in a shop, I don’t always have power immediately available, sometimes cords are just annoying.

[@julienpcntt2401]

Thanks for this review, I was tossing between the two and I was going for the barrel grip (the style I have now) but as you said it it doesn’t have a trigger so when you need control the D handle is probably the best option as you still have the on button for longer cuts but also the finger trigger for the more delicate cuts. I like the fact that you can still use the D handle a little bit like the barrel one.

[@Tool-Meister]

The video didn’t show you adjusting the blade guide. It needs set for each individual blade. Likewise for the splinter guard.

[@MLillo-h8k]

I purchased the barrel grip several years back. The model I have is not variable speed beyond the dial setting. The main difference is the loss of variable speed the handle type provides with the trigger pull. I have had occasions where the saw bites prematurely or unexpectedly and it pushes out of the work pice. That rarely happened with my D handle type. The barrel is shorter so it helps with clearance sometimes. Overall I wished I purchased the D handle.

[@ourpeople-g7r]

Probably commented a hundred times here but what is the advantage in cordless tools when you have a bloody big dust extraction hose hooked up to the tool anyway?

[@mjrudisill]

Ability to go cordless and not use dust collection when you want/need.

[@toolchuck]

Robert, I have the cordless barrel grip Carvex. I chose it because I decided to try a barrel grip when I bought my Bosch JS470EB jigsaw a couple of years ago. I liked the barrel grip, but sadly not the jigsaw so much. I haven't used the Carvex a lot, but I have used it enough to know that it is much better than the Bosch JS470EB in cut quality and smoothness, and it costs a buttload more as well. 😎 Curious to hear what you have to say about these two. All the Best, Chuck

[@We.R.Comics]

I was just about to buy the Bosch, you wouldn't recommend it?

[@toolchuck]

@@We.R.Comics JS470EB = Good, JS572EBK = Better, CARVEX PS 420 EBQ = Best, IMHO. It depends on what you are using it for and your expectations. I can elaborate on the differences if you'd like.

[@We.R.Comics]

@Nanoqx yes plz. If you say the 7.2 is worth the extra price I'd get it but it didn't seem much better solely based on specs but if the handling and better at staying with your line I'd have no problem getting it.

[@We.R.Comics]

@@toolchuck email sent

[@andre1987eph]

My Bosch 470 D handle doesn’t spark. You’re straight lines are amazing tho

[@Bigdog1787]

I don't think barrel grip would be good on a jig saw the handle would give you more control I think.

[@mariopllumbi3748]

Everyone can be a KZbinr nowadays 🙋🏻🤣

[@no_handle_required]

Safety is clearly job 9 or 10 here....makes for a wilder ride.

[@jbuitendam9236]

You should use an anti splinter plate, so sawing is not good, the end result is worthless

[@didanoff]

Thanks for the video, will it works with 3.1A battery?

[@aberba]

Corded tools cut better so that's can tilt the balance there

[@DaileyWoodworks]

Not with current technology. My battery tools consistently outperform their corded equivalents.

[@aberba]

@@DaileyWoodworks Corded ones have more torque/power. It's a well known fact. It's the same across the board for battery powered chainsaws etc.

[@WhangaFish]

I have a few tools that I either own or use at work that are both the corded and cordless versions of the same tool. In each of those cases the battery versions performance is at least equal to, or better than the corded version. With the exception of the heat guns. I have the corded and cordless version of the barrel grip carvex 420 PS and PSC and I'll admit that's stupid, mainly because I haven't touched the corded version since picking up the cordless one. Just as an aside Robert the sparks were probably from the guide being adjusted a little too tight. Those clear removable plastic parts are splinter guards and it's worth noting that the saw will eject those hot blades without needing to touch them. I only say this to offer help from my experience with the saws, not want trying to be a know-it-all you're doing a great job.

[@aberba]

@@WhangaFish are they both brushless or one is brushless and the other is not? Given the same motor, corded should always have more juice. What you're saying doesn't even make sense unless you're comparing totally different versions of the tools.

[@pieces94]

Thank you for your review. I’ve been back and forth on the barrel vs d-handle on the Carvex for a while. I wish the Carvex came with an angle base. Add that and this jig saw is $500. I’m looking at my DeWalt 20v jigsaw thinking “do I really need a Carvex?”.

[@michaelnichols7669]

My opinion, get the Dewalt. I have had the Dewalt 20v barrell grip for over a year and I love it no complaints at all. We have both the Carvex's at work and I honestly don't care for them. While the Festool is nice, I don't find the cuts any better or any more accurate, plus you have to have a separate base to bevel, which to me is annoying and also more money. I don't see anything that justifies the extra cost personally. You could buy a D handle and Barrell grip dewalt for less than 1 Karvex. On the barrell vs D handle debate, I by and large prefer the barrell. Im a finish carpenter so 90% of my time spent with the tool is coping with a coping foot, which is more comfortable with the barell grip as im always cutting bottom up. For general cuts I like that I can manipulate the tool from any position without having to keep engaging the trigger with the barrell grip. I hate having to keep the trigger engaged on D handles for the entire cut, I find it fatiguing with extended use.

[@michaeltran5477]

Thank you, very informative 👍

[@christianness8983]

Barrel grip is best. Blessed be the Barrel grip.

[@coloradomountainman8659]

I bought the Carvex corded barrel grip jig saw last year. Used it twice and hate the thing. Blade sits so far back I can't see where it comes into contact with the line I am trying to follow. It has a delayed start. The power switches (left and right) necessitate using your other hand to shut off or turn on the tool (terribly located, way too far forward). Lastly, there is no bevel adjustment (WTF?). Truly a waste of $400.

[@toolchuck]

Yeah, I may have been better off with the D-handle too. As for bevel, cuts, you'll need an Angle Base WT-PS 420, Item number 496134 for a mere $129.00. The good thing is it works great. All the Best, Chuck

[@christianness8983]

You're not using the line of sight correctly I'm guessing. And I have no idea why you have a problem with the power switches. It doesn't have a delayed start and also the base is fine; it's fixed for accuracy so you can quickly install it and always be guaranteed to have a square cut.

[@toolchuck]

@@christianness8983 My comment on being better off with a D-handle was for ergonomics and the trigger speed control, more of a personal preference. I should have realized that with my experience with the Bosch barrel handle saw it was replacing. It's funny, sometimes I really like the barrel handle and it feels and works well for me, and other times not so much. And the delayed start Mountain Man is referring to might be the "A" setting. Here's an excerpt from the manual; Automatic load detection is activated in position A: The stroke rate drops when idling and is adjusted to the highest setting when the workpiece is introduced. Outside of that, it is a fine saw. All the Best, Chuck

[@sethagyei4564]

I like it can send me one please

[@jbuitendam9236]

This is killing a machine, the saw guide is not set, you are not using the protection of the machine. And does not saw but let the material eat away. This is Festool unworthy use. You are setting the wrong example for others.