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There has been a lot of confusion around the very popular Excalibur scroll saw. They disappeared for awhile without any word. Then several saws started showing up that looked like the Excalibur, but all under different names. It turns out there was a bunch of movement between brand rights, design rights, and distribution rights that gets a little sticky. Peter Kennedy from King Canada helped shed a little light on how all of this shakes out. Hopefully you'll find it interesting and understand this confusing topic a little bit better. - - - - - - - - - - Hi Travis, thanks for getting back to me. I will try to make this as simple and painless as possible. It is very convoluted so I think point form time lines will tell the story best. My biggest concern is scroll saw enthusiasts, knowing the reputation of the original Excalibur scroll saw, will be unaware it is still available as well as parts and help if required. Please note, my dates may be off by a bit but you will get the idea as to how things have evolved. FYI, King Canada is the largest supplier of wood and metal working machinery in Canada. We are almost 40 years old and are just now entering the US market. 1982 - Somerville Design introduces the Excalibur scroll saws manufactured in Toronto Ontario 2003 – General International acquires the assets of Summerville Design including the Excalibur brand. G.I. sends the 21” scroll saw to Taiwan to be manufactured and adds the 30” version. 2008 + or – G.I. adds the 16” version. 2010 – EX-21 awarded “Editor’s Choice” by Scroll Saw Woodworking and Crafts magazine. 2012 - the EX-21AE 30th anniversary edition is introduced. 1000 units available. Color changed from green to black and dust collection added to the table, stand and foot switch are included. 2012-13 – G.I. goes back to the models EX-16, EX-21 and Ex-30 retaining the black color and other Anniversary options on all saws. No more General green.. 2014 + or – G.I. is sold to DMT holdings of Seattle WA. Including the Excalibur brand but not the manufacturing rights for the scroll saw. They are held by the manufacturer in Taiwan. 2015-16 - JPW (Jet)designs their 22” saw and has it manufactured by the same Taiwan maker as the original Excalibur saws. 2016 + or – The original Taiwanese manufacturer seeks new North American distribution for the original design scroll saws. 2016 – King Canada is granted distribution rights to the original 16”, 21” and 30” saws for the Canadian market. They are branded Excelsior in Canada and King Industrial in the U.S. 2016 - Due to design similarities of the Jet 22”, the manufacturer restricts King’s U.S. distribution to the 16” and the 30” versions. 2016 – Woodcraft commits to national U.S. distribution of the King Industrial 16” and 30” scroll saws. 2017 – Seyco introduces their version of the saw manufactured by the same maker as the Excalibur, Excelsior, King Industrial and the JPW saws. 2017 - The European saws Azxminster, Pegas Etc., are all made by the same Taiwanese maker. These saws were previously supplied to them by G.I. 2018 + or - General International (DMT Holdings) begins to market a Chinese made version of the 21” saw under the Excalibur name and model number. Summary, The only original Excalibur saws are now branded either King Industrial (U.S.) or Excelsior (Canada). At this time, there is no original design 21” available in the U.S. The Seyco and the JPW (Jet)saws are designed after the Excalibur saws with proprietary differences. So, the King Industrial/Excelsior saws are the original design with a different name and the saw branded Excalibur is a different saw with the original name. The many manufacturing nuances and extreme tolerances make these saws virtually impossible to copy and have them function as they were originally designed. Note, when I use the term “original”, I refer to original manufacturer, original design, original components, parts, motors, and specifications. North American Model #’s Original EX-16 is now Excelsior XL-16 in Canada Original EX-16 is now King Industrial KXL-16 in the U.S. Original EX-21 is now Excelsior XL-21 in Canada (not available in the U.S.) Original EX-30 is now Excelsior XL-30 in Canada Original EX-30 is now King Industrial KXL-30 in the U.S. General still uses model #EX-21, “made in China” on the box and 16” or 30’ no longer available. Seyco Model ST-21, 21” no other sizes available to my knowledge Jet Model #727299K, 22” no other sizes available to my knowledge I hope this gives some clarity to the situation.

The Janka scale is used to determine the relative hardness of particular domestic or exotic wood species. The Janka test measures the amount of force required to embed a 0.444" steel ball into the wood to half of its diameter. Woods with a higher rating are harder than woods with a lower rating. The Jenka scale is measured in pounds-force. This chart has been created by combining data from a number of sources. The left side is arranged alphabetically by species, whereas the right side is sorted by hardness. Janka Hardness Scale Species (sorted alphabetical) Janka Species (sorted by hardness) Janka Abarco 1020 Cuipo 22 Acacia 1750 Balsa 100 African Mahogany 830 Ceiba, Kapok 281 African Padauk 1725 Aspen, quaking 337 African Pearlwood / Moabi Sometimes: Brazilian Cherry "Lite" 3680 Buckeye, yellow 350 Afromosia 2524 Jelutong 357 Afzelia / Doussie / Australian Wormy Chestnut 1810 Basswood, American 367 Alder (Red) 590 Gumbo Limbo 370 Amberwood 2200 Cottonwood, eastern 377 Amendoim 1912 Eastern White Pine 380 Amendoim, Ybyraro 2947 Pine, lodgepole 402 American Beech 1300 Redwood 402 American Red Elm 860 Fir, white 407 American Cherry 950 Obeche 408 Anchico 2524 Basswood 410 Andiroba, Virola 1130 Aspen, bigtooth 420 Angelim Pedra, Amburana 3040 White Pine 420 Angelin 1750 Spruce, black 422 Angelique 1290 Okoume, aboon 431 Angico, Vermelho 3020 Poplar 432 Aniegre 980 Cypress, Mexican 460 Apple 1480 Hemlock, mountain 467 Ash (White) 1320 Butternut, Whate walnut 490 Ash, blue 2030 Hemlock 500 Aspen, bigtooth 420 Maminha-de-porca 523 Aspen, quaking 337 Tamarack 526 Avodire 1250 Chestnut 540 Azobe 2940 Poplar 540 Balau 1642 Catalpa 550 Balsa 100 Hura 558 Bamboo 1450 Willow 568 Bamboo, timbergrass 1642 Cypress, Southern 570 Banak, Kirikawa 911 Cedar, yellow 580 Bangkirai 1798 Alder (Red) 590 Bangkirai, Amang besi 1987 Larch 590 Basswood 410 Silverbell, Carolina 590 Basswood, American 367 Quaruba, Copaie 593 Beech, Australian; Blackbutt 1569 Cativo 625 Benge, Muteneye 1983 Western Juniper 626 Black cherry 788 Sassafras 630 Black Cherry, Imbuia 950 Pine, spruce 647 Black Walnut/North American Walnut 1010 Determa 657 Blackwood, African 1720 Douglas Fir 660 Bloodwood 2900 Embira-branca 669 Bocote, Cabreuva, Santos Mahogany 2200 Southern Yellow Pine (Loblolly and Shortleaf) 690 Boire 940 Silver Maple 700 Boire, Bodowood 1326 Shedua 710 Bolivian Cherry 3650 Boxelder 720 Boreal 1023 Chinkapin, giant 730 Boxelder 720 Limba 731 Boxwood, Buis 2730 Larch, western 745 Brazilian Eucalyptus / Rose Gum 1125 Ilomba 749 Brazilian Koa 2160 Elm 769 Brazilian Mesquite / Carapa Guianensis 1220 Sycamore, American 770 Brazilian Olivewood 3700 Keruing, Apitong 775 Brazilian Redwood / Paraju / Massaranduba 3190 Parana-Pine 780 Breu 980 Laurel, California; Myrtle 784 Brushbox 2135 Black cherry 788 Brushbox 3025 Cumaru 790 Bubinga 1980 Primavera 799 Bubinga, African rosewood 2628 Mahogany, Honduran Mahogany 800 Buckeye, yellow 350 African Mahogany 830 Buckthorn, Cascara 1040 Lacewood, Leopardwood 840 Bulletwood, Balata, Macaranduba 3070 Sweetgum 850 Butternut, Whate walnut 490 American Red Elm 860 Cambara 941 Tupelo, gum 861 Cameron 1940 Southern Yellow Pine (Longleaf) 870 Camphorwood 930 Hackberry 880 Canarywood 2000 Oak, Asian; Rubberwood 890 Carbonized Bamboo (represents one species) 1180 Cedar 900 Caribbean Heart Pine 1280 Eastern Red Cedar 900 Caribbean Walnut 1390 Sande 900 Catalpa 550 Meranti, dark red 908 Cativo 625 Paper Birch 910 Cedar 900 Banak, Kirikawa 911 Cedar, Spanish 1006 Cuangare 911 Cedar, yellow 580 Ekop 915 Ceiba, Kapok 281 Camphorwood 930 Chechen, Black poisonwood 2200 Boire 940 Cherry 995 Cambara 941 Cherry, tropical/Mayan; Machiche, Cerezo 3190 American Cherry 950 Chestnut 540 Black Cherry, Imbuia 950 Chinkapin, giant 730 Red Maple 950 Cocobolo 1136 Soft and Ambrosia Maple 950 Coconut palm 1600 Aniegre 980 Coffee Bean 1390 Breu 980 Copaiba, Bacana 1470 Mango 980 Cottonwood, eastern 377 Imbuia, Imbuya 982 Cuangare 911 Roble 987 Cuipo 22 Cherry 995 Cumaru 790 Hevea 995 Curupixa 1018 Pink ivory 995 Curupixa 1490 Sakura, Chinese birch 995 Cypress, Australian hard 1375 Magnolia, southern 1000 Cypress, Mexican 460 Teak 1000 Cypress, Southern 570 Cedar, Spanish 1006 Degame 1816 Black Walnut/North American Walnut 1010 Determa 657 Curupixa 1018 Dipteryx odorata / Cumaru / "Brazilian Teak" sometimes: "Brazilian Chestnut," "Tiete Chestnut," "South American Chestnut," "Southern Chestnut" 3540 Abarco 1020 Dogwood, flowering 2150 Holly, American 1020 Douglas Fir 660 Boreal 1023 Doussie 2103 Teak, Brazilian; Tatajuba 1038 Eastern Red Cedar 900 Buckthorn, Cascara 1040 Eastern White Pine 380 Teak 1075 Ebony 3220 Peruvian Walnut 1080 Ebony, Brazilian 3692 Makore 1100 Ekop 915 Siberian Larch 1100 Elm 769 Brazilian Eucalyptus / Rose Gum 1125 Embira-branca 669 Andiroba, Virola 1130 Etauba, Itauba 2900 Cocobolo 1136 Faveira 2895 Teak 1155 Fir, white 407 Thuya, Thuja, Arar 1155 Freijo 1627 Maple, hard-rock 1156 Garapa, Goldenwood 1700 Juniper 1160 Golden Teak 2330 Nyatoh 1171 Goncalo Alves / Tigerwood 1850 Carbonized Bamboo (represents one species) 1180 Goncalo Alves, Tigerwood 2160 Larch 1200 Grapia 1658 Kapur 1205 Greenheart 2593 Brazilian Mesquite / Carapa Guianensis 1220 Grenadilla, Mpingo, African blackwood 2940 Yellow Heart Pine 1225 Grey Ironbark 3664 Movingui 1230 Gum, spotted; Australian hickory 2185 Pine, Caribbean 1240 Gum, Sydney blue 1273 Avodire 1250 Gumbo Limbo 370 Yellow Birch, Iroko 1260 Hackberry 880 Gum, Sydney blue 1273 Hard / Sugar Maple 1450 Ramin 1274 Hemlock 500 Movingui, Ayan 1278 Hemlock, mountain 467 Caribbean Heart Pine 1280 Hevea 995 Angelique 1290 Hickory / Pecan, Satinwood 1820 Mersawa 1290 Highland Beech 1686 Red Oak (Northern) 1290 Holly, American 1020 Walnut, Mansonia; Imbuya 1290 Honeylocust 1548 Makore, African cherry 1294 Hophornbeam, Ironwood 1860 American Beech 1300 Hornbeam, American 1780 Manni, Chewstick 1304 Hura 558 Ash (White) 1320 Ilomba 749 White Ash 1320 Imbuia, Imbuya 982 Boire, Bodowood 1326 Ipe / "Brazilian Walnut" / Lapacho 3684 Sourwood 1326 Ipe, Lapacho 3342 Oak, white 1333 Ironbark, red 2470 Ribbon Gum 1349 Ironwood 2299 Kauri, Agathis 1350 Ivorywood, Pau marfim 1987 Tasmanian Oak 1350 Jarrah 1910 White Oak 1360 Jatoba, Brazilian cherry, Coubaril 2350 Cypress, Australian hard 1375 Jelutong 357 Natural Bamboo (represents one species) 1380 Juniper 1160 Sepetir 1382 Kaneelhart, Ajoewa 2464 Caribbean Walnut 1390 Kapur 1205 Coffee Bean 1390 Karri 2010 Kentucky Coffee Tree 1390 Karri 2030 Mahogany, African, Khaya 1395 Kauri, Agathis 1350 Mahogany, Royal 1400 Kempas 1710 Santa Maria 1410 Kempas, Thongbueng 1797 Sapele 1439 Kentucky Coffee Tree 1390 Louro 1441 Keruing, Apitong 775 Tulipwood, Pau rosa 1441 Kiiat, Muninga, Mukwa 1564 Bamboo 1450 Koa 1551 Hard / Sugar Maple 1450 Kurupaya 3840 Madrone, Pacific; Manzanita 1460 Lacewood, Leopardwood 840 Copaiba, Bacana 1470 Lapacho 3640 Sweet Birch 1470 Larch 590 Apple 1480 Larch 1200 Curupixa 1490 Larch, western 745 Pau-santo, Angelica 1490 Laurel, California; Myrtle 784 Mahogany, sapele 1500 Lignum vitae / Guayacan / Pockenholz 4500 Maple, Brazilian 1500 Limba 731 Tauari 1500 Locust, black 1700 Sapele / Sapelli, Kupa'y 1510 Louro 1441 Witch hazel 1530 Lyptus 1796 Honeylocust 1548 Macadamia 2300 Koa 1551 Macawood 2406 Peroba 1557 Madrone, Pacific; Manzanita 1460 Kiiat, Muninga, Mukwa 1564 Magnolia, southern 1000 Tree-of-heaven, Ailanthus 1568 Mahogany, African, Khaya 1395 Beech, Australian; Blackbutt 1569 Mahogany, Honduran Mahogany 800 True Pine, Timborana 1570 Mahogany, Incensio, Cariuva 2200 Zebrawood 1575 Mahogany, Royal 1400 Coconut palm 1600 Mahogany, Santos' Cabreuva 2600 Olive, Brazilian; Taxi 1600 Mahogany, sapele 1500 Yew, Pacific 1600 Makore 1100 Quina 1611 Makore, African cherry 1294 Peroba de campos, White peroba 1624 Maminha-de-porca 523 Tualang 1624 Manbarklak, Black kakaralli 2890 Freijo 1627 Mango 980 Red Pine 1630 Mangrove, red 2940 Walnut, tropical; T'zalam 1630 Manni, Chewstick 1304 Wenge 1630 Maple, Brazilian 1500 Wenge, Red Pine, Hornbeam 1630 Maple, hard-rock 1156 Balau 1642 Marblewood 2532 Bamboo, timbergrass 1642 Maria-preta, Arvore-da-chuva 1668 Roxinho 1650 Marishballi 2967 Shedua, Amazakoue 1650 Mastic 1770 Merbau 1654 Meranti, dark red 908 Grapia 1658 Merbau 1654 Zebrawood 1658 Merbau 1712 Maria-preta, Arvore-da-chuva 1668 Merbau 1925 Highland Beech 1686 Merbau 1925 Patens 1691 Mersawa 1290 Garapa, Goldenwood 1700 Mesquite 2345 Locust, black 1700 Moabi, Guajara 2100 Kempas 1710 Mora 2424 Merbau 1712 Morado 2400 Blackwood, African 1720 Movingui 1230 Piquia 1720 Movingui, Ayan 1278 Opepe 1724 Narrah, Amboyna 2170 African Padauk 1725 Natural Bamboo (represents one species) 1380 Acacia 1750 Nyatoh 1171 Angelin 1750 Oak, Asian; Rubberwood 890 Mastic 1770 Oak, live 3200 Hornbeam, American 1780 Oak, white 1333 Rosewood 1780 Obeche 408 Shorea 1780 Okan 2780 Lyptus 1796 Okoume, aboon 431 Kempas, Thongbueng 1797 Olive, Brazilian; Taxi 1600 Bangkirai 1798 Opepe 1724 Sandalwood 1798 Osage Orange 2040 Serviceberry 1800 Osage orange 2400 Afzelia / Doussie / Australian Wormy Chestnut 1810 Padauk, African 2219 Degame 1816 Paper Birch 910 Hickory / Pecan, Satinwood 1820 Para-angelim 1958 Goncalo Alves / Tigerwood 1850 Paraju, Brazilian redwood, Jutahy 3500 Hophornbeam, Ironwood 1860 Parana-Pine 780 Purpleheart 1860 Patagonian Rosewood / Curupay / Angico Preto / Piptadenia Macrocarpa / Brazilian Tiger Mahogany 3840 Tarara 1860 Patens 1691 Yellowheart, Anan 1878 Pau ferro, Brazilian ebony 2713 Jarrah 1910 Pau-santo, Angelica 1490 Amendoim 1912 Pearwood, African; Aboga 2732 Merbau 1925 Peroba 1557 Merbau 1925 Peroba de campos, White peroba 1624 Tallowwood 1933 Persimmon 2254 Tualang 1938 Peruvian Walnut 1080 Cameron 1940 Pilon, Angelim 2020 Para-angelim 1958 Pine, Caribbean 1240 Bubinga 1980 Pine, lodgepole 402 Benge, Muteneye 1983 Pine, spruce 647 Wallaba 1986 Pink ivory 995 Bangkirai, Amang besi 1987 Piquia 1720 Ivorywood, Pau marfim 1987 Poplar 432 Canarywood 2000 Poplar 540 Tallowwood 2007 Pradoo 2170 Karri 2010 Pradoo, Burma padauk 2267 Pilon, Angelim 2020 Primavera 799 Sydney Blue Gum 2023 Purpleheart 1860 Ash, blue 2030 Purpleheart, Amaranth, Pau roxo 2713 Karri 2030 Pyinkado 2369 Osage Orange 2040 Quaruba, Copaie 593 Moabi, Guajara 2100 Quebracho Colorado 2470 Doussie 2103 Quina 1611 Brushbox 2135 Ramin 1274 Sucupira sometimes "Brazilian Chestnut" or "Tiete Chestnut" 2140 Red Mahogany, Turpentine 2697 Dogwood, flowering 2150 Red Maple 950 Brazilian Koa 2160 Red Oak (Northern) 1290 Goncalo Alves, Tigerwood 2160 Red Pine 1630 Narrah, Amboyna 2170 Redwood 402 Pradoo 2170 Ribbon Gum 1349 Gum, spotted; Australian hickory 2185 Roble 987 Amberwood 2200 Rosewood 1780 Bocote, Cabreuva, Santos Mahogany 2200 Rosewood, Brazilian; Jacaranda 2860 Chechen, Black poisonwood 2200 Rosewood, Indian 3170 Mahogany, Incensio, Cariuva 2200 Roxinho 1650 Santos Mahogany, Bocote, Cabreuva, Honduran Rosewood 2200 Sakura, Chinese birch 995 Ziricote 2200 Sandalwood 1798 Padauk, African 2219 Sande 900 Tatajuba 2220 Santa Maria 1410 Wenge 2235 Santos Mahogany, Bocote, Cabreuva, Honduran Rosewood 2200 Persimmon 2254 Sapele 1439 Pradoo, Burma padauk 2267 Sapele / Sapelli, Kupa'y 1510 Ironwood 2299 Sassafras 630 Tornillo 2299 Satinwood 2600 Macadamia 2300 Sepetir 1382 Tamarind 2318 Serviceberry 1800 Golden Teak 2330 Shedua 710 Mesquite 2345 Shedua, Amazakoue 1650 Jatoba, Brazilian cherry, Coubaril 2350 Shorea 1780 Pyinkado 2369 Siberian Larch 1100 Morado 2400 Silver Maple 700 Osage orange 2400 Silverbell, Carolina 590 Macawood 2406 Snakewood 3800 Mora 2424 Soft and Ambrosia Maple 950 Kaneelhart, Ajoewa 2464 Sourwood 1326 Ironbark, red 2470 Southern Chestnut 2670 Quebracho Colorado 2470 Southern Yellow Pine (Loblolly and Shortleaf) 690 Spotted Gum 2473 Southern Yellow Pine (Longleaf) 870 Afromosia 2524 Spotted Gum 2473 Anchico 2524 Spruce, black 422 Marblewood 2532 Stranded/woven bamboo 3000 Greenheart 2593 Sucupira sometimes "Brazilian Chestnut" or "Tiete Chestnut" 2140 Mahogany, Santos' Cabreuva 2600 Sweet Birch 1470 Satinwood 2600 Sweetgum 850 Tigerwood, Muiracatiara 2620 Sycamore, American 770 Turpentine 2624 Sydney Blue Gum 2023 Bubinga, African rosewood 2628 Tallowwood 1933 Southern Chestnut 2670 Tallowwood 2007 Red Mahogany, Turpentine 2697 Tamarack 526 Pau ferro, Brazilian ebony 2713 Tamarind 2318 Purpleheart, Amaranth, Pau roxo 2713 Tarara 1860 Boxwood, Buis 2730 Tasmanian Oak 1350 Pearwood, African; Aboga 2732 Tatajuba 2220 Okan 2780 Tauari 1500 Rosewood, Brazilian; Jacaranda 2860 Teak 1000 Manbarklak, Black kakaralli 2890 Teak 1075 Faveira 2895 Teak 1155 Bloodwood 2900 Teak, Brazilian; Tatajuba 1038 Etauba, Itauba 2900 Thuya, Thuja, Arar 1155 Azobe 2940 Tiete rosewood 3280 Grenadilla, Mpingo, African blackwood 2940 Tigerwood, Muiracatiara 2620 Mangrove, red 2940 Tornillo 2299 Amendoim, Ybyraro 2947 Tree-of-heaven, Ailanthus 1568 Marishballi 2967 True Pine, Timborana 1570 Stranded/woven bamboo 3000 Tualang 1624 Angico, Vermelho 3020 Tualang 1938 Brushbox 3025 Tulipwood, Pau rosa 1441 Angelim Pedra, Amburana 3040 Tupelo, gum 861 Yvyraro 3040 Turpentine 2624 Bulletwood, Balata, Macaranduba 3070 Verawood 4000 Rosewood, Indian 3170 Wallaba 1986 Brazilian Redwood / Paraju / Massaranduba 3190 Walnut, Mansonia; Imbuya 1290 Cherry, tropical/Mayan; Machiche, Cerezo 3190 Walnut, tropical; T'zalam 1630 Oak, live 3200 Wenge 1630 Ebony 3220 Wenge 2235 Tiete rosewood 3280 Wenge, Red Pine, Hornbeam 1630 Ipe, Lapacho 3342 Western Juniper 626 Paraju, Brazilian redwood, Jutahy 3500 White Ash 1320 Dipteryx odorataCumaru / "Brazilian Teak" sometimes: "Brazilian Chestnut," "Tiete Chestnut," "South American Chestnut," "Southern Chestnut" 3540 White Oak 1360 Lapacho 3640 White Pine 420 Bolivian Cherry 3650 Willow 568 Grey Ironbark 3664 Witch hazel 1530 African Pearlwood / Moabi Sometimes: Brazilian Cherry "Lite" 3680 Yellow Birch, Iroko 1260 Ipe / "Brazilian Walnut" / Lapacho 3684 Yellow Heart Pine 1225 Ebony, Brazilian 3692 Yellowheart, Anan 1878 Brazilian Olivewood 3700 Yew, Pacific 1600 Snakewood 3800 Yvyraro 3040 Kurupaya 3840 Zebrawood 1575 Patagonian Rosewood / Curupay / Angico Preto / Piptadenia Macrocarpa / Brazilian Tiger Mahogany 3840 Zebrawood 1658 Verawood 4000 Ziricote 2200 Lignum vitae / Guayacan / Pockenholz 4500