Kreg Edge Review

Tool: Edge 20V Loose Tenon Joiner Shop Now (Preorders officially begin on September 8th) Manufacturer: Kreg Tool MSRP: $449.99 (bare tool) $499.99 (tool with 4Ah battery and charger) If there’s a tool that’s been on the horizon for years, this is it. With patents on the Festool Domino expiring, Kreg Tool has introduced the first real competition the Domino has seen: the Kreg Edge. It’s nearly impossible to look at the Edge without comparing it to the Domino—it’s the benchmark for this type of tool. At its core, a loose-tenon joiner uses a rotating, oscillating bit to cut a mortise in the workpiece. And really, if the tool cuts accurate, repeatable mortises, everything else is secondary. After several months of using the Edge, I can confidently say it does just that. The mortises are accurate, consistent, and tight-fitting. With that established, let’s look at what sets the Edge apart. One of the most noticeable differences is the fence. The Edge has a large, wide fence with a substantial handle that gives you plenty of control over the tool. It’s easy to position and hold squarely against a workpiece, something I think will be especially helpful for woodworkers new to loose-tenon joinery. The fence height adjustment and quick stop are marked in imperial measurements, which is a welcome touch for those of us who don’t want to do metric conversions in the shop. Mortise width can also be adjusted through three settings, allowing you to choose between a tight-fitting mortise and one with a little extra wiggle room for easier assembly. Dust collection is also very good. With a hose connected, the Edge manages chips well. Without dust collection, slots in the bottom of the baseplate allow chips to fall through, so while you can use the tool without a hose, it’s considerably cleaner and more accurate with one attached. For now, the Edge is available only as a cordless tool, running on Kreg’s Blue Ion battery platform. There have been requests for a corded version, so time will tell whether Kreg adds one to the lineup.