Sawbuck table

{{globalize|US|date=June 2021}}

A sawbuck table or X-frame table is a type of trestle table having X-shaped supports at either end. It takes its name from the similarity of these X-shaped supports to sawbucks.{{Cite book

| title = Building Early American Furniture

| first = Joseph William

| last = Daniele

| publisher = Stackpole Books

| page = 144

| year = 1974

| isbn = 9780811704205}} In addition to the supports, a sawbuck table is distinguished by a sturdy central rail and key-tenon joints holding the supports and central rail together.{{Cite book

| title = Making Authentic Pennsylvania Dutch Furniture: With Measured Drawings

| first = John G.

| last = Shea

| publisher = Courier Corporation

| year = 2012

| page = 121

| isbn = 9780486157627

}} Historically, sawbuck tables also often featured footrests running the length of the table.{{Cite book

| title = The Distelfink Country of the Pennsylvania Dutch

| first = Mildred

| last = Jordan

| publisher = Crown Publishers

| year = 1978

| page = 186

| isbn = 9780517532607 }}

The sawbuck table originated in Pennsylvania in the early 18th century, and is a characteristic example of Pennsylvania Dutch vernacular design. The design is sufficiently sturdy that some sawbuck tables have remained in regular use for over 200 years.

The earliest known modern picnic table was derived from the sawbuck table design, with the addition of attached benches on either side.{{Cite news

| magazine = Places Journal

| url = https://placesjournal.org/article/an-illustrated-history-of-the-picnic-table/

| accessdate = 2020-02-27

| title = An Illustrated History of the Picnic Table

| first = Martin

| last = Hogue

| date = May 2018

}} Picnic table builders continued to experiment with sawbuck designs having separate benches until the invention of the modern A-frame picnic table in 1926.{{Cite book

| last = Backman

| first = Earl E.

| year = 1967

| title = Recreation Facilities: A Personal History of Their Development in the National Forests of California, Volume 2

| publisher = Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture

| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=yOgoK9IM864C

| oclc = 788561

| page = 17

}} Sawbuck-style picnic tables continue to be used, for example for backyard applications where attached seating is not required.{{Cite news

| magazine = Popular Mechanics

| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=ktQDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA70

| page = 70

| title = PM's Picks for Picnics

| first = Rosario

| last = Capotosto

| date = August 1983

}}