Such Excitement

**Bushmiller** · 15th June 2018, 05:45 PM

I very recently received a number of saws (More on those down the track): Mostly I was reasonably confident of what I was getting and that the goods had been accurately described by the various vendors. However that was not the case with one particular saw. It was an absolute gamble. This is the saw I saw (

.)

P1030864 (Medium).JPG

I can't recall now how I spotted it because it was not listed under "Simonds," but it had the early medallion from the Crescent Moon and Star era, which those of you who have followed the Simonds Story will recall dates the saws to a narrow time frame between 1900 and Nov 1904. I find myself particularly attracted to these early models.

P1030865 (Medium).JPG P1030866 (Medium).JPG

There was a little damage to the top horn but otherwise it looked sound and I started to surmise what might be lurking beneath the naive paint monstrosity that had been imposed upon this small cutting device that never did anybody any harm. It looked as though it could be a No.8 panel saw.

In a way the most heinous crime, to my mind, that can be committed is the painting of what is otherwise a perfectly good saw. I determined to rescue this example as I had done a few years back with a similarly painted saw, which in thatcase had revealed a complete etch beneath. I was excitedly hopeful.

As I started to remove the handle I noted that the nut behind the medallion was oversize and I would have to replace that. No big deal as I have some spares.

P1030867 (Medium).JPG

but then I spotted this:

P1030887 (Medium).JPG

It has a covertop handle........ Simonds never produced a covertop handle.

Oooops! As the handle was removed my worst fears were confirmed as it had a rounded saw plate beneath the handle and had the classic look of the close coupled Disston saws, although other makers used the covertop style too.

P1030883 (Medium).JPG

I stripped off the paint to find this beneath

P1030884 (Medium).JPG

I cleaned it quickly with one pass of 240 grit to see what it could become. Of course it is a Disston D8 from who knows when to no later than 1927.

P1030886.jpg

It does point to an irrefutable fact, and something I have pointed to before, that only an etched blade can be absolutely verified as original: The medallion is certainly not firm evidence. I should follow my own advice I suppose. The only part of the saw that was Simonds was the medallion itself and even the female nut probably came from something else as it is too large for the smaller panel/back size medallion. This D8 panel saw is a nice saw: Just not what I had hoped for.

Regards
Paul

**IanW** · 15th June 2018, 06:41 PM

Ah well Paul, ya wins some & ya loses some.

As long as you didn't squander the mortgage on it, at least you have what looks like a decent, re-sellable D8. Just find an appropriate medallion, then at least you can re-advertise it with an accurate & truthful description......

Cheers,

**Bushmiller** · 15th June 2018, 06:58 PM

Ian

Exactly as you said and the mortgage is still intact. As it happens I do have some spare medallions. (Just in case)

Regards
Paul

**ian** · 16th June 2018, 07:53 AM

Originally Posted by Bushmiller

P1030864 (Medium).JPG

In a way the most heinous crime, to my mind, that can be committed is the painting of what is otherwise a perfectly good saw. I determined to rescue this example as I had done a few years back with a similarly painted saw,

I think you are far too harsh.

I'm sure that the paint is protecting the saw plate from further rust

**macg** · 16th June 2018, 12:12 PM

Paul

sorry that you had your hopeful excitement quelled by someone else's tampering of the goods (replacing the medallion).

Apart from the cover top, does the handle and screw locations look like a Simonds no. 8?

With regard to painted saws, I can understand how an old saw can appeal as an unique 'canvas' for an 'artist'
I only wish they could discern the difference between a good quality saw with potential and a rubbishy post
1950's blister maker.

But I agree with Ian the paint can act to protect the saw from rusting.

I have had the pleasure many times when restoring pieces of antique furniture, when stripping back the green
paint to find lovely cedar well preserved underneath.

Also a lot of the painted saws have such a high a price (for the artistic effort???) that does not have any bearing on
the actual saw. I've passed on many painted saws that looked like Disston no.12's but were not worth the asking price
not to me anyway.

Am interested in hearing about the other saws down the track.

Graham.

**Bushmiller** · 16th June 2018, 01:13 PM

Originally Posted by macg

Paul

sorry that you had your hopeful excitement quelled by someone else's tampering of the goods (replacing the medallion).

Apart from the cover top, does the handle and screw locations look like a Simonds no. 8?

With regard to painted saws, I can understand how an old saw can appeal as an unique 'canvas' for an 'artist'
I only wish they could discern the difference between a good quality saw with potential and a rubbishy post
1950's blister maker.

But I agree with Ian the paint can act to protect the saw from rusting.

I have had the pleasure many times when restoring pieces of antique furniture, when stripping back the green
paint to find lovely cedar well preserved underneath.

Also a lot of the painted saws have such a high a price (for the artistic effort???) that does not have any bearing on
the actual saw. I've passed on many painted saws that looked like Disston no.12's but were not worth the asking price
not to me anyway.

Am interested in hearing about the other saws down the track.

Graham.

Graham

It is definitely a D8. There are a heap of lesser quality saws out there that would serve the same purpose for the artist, but they continue to pick good saws. I suppose they don't know any better. I only buy these paint monstrosities when they look as though there could be something exciting underneath and if the price is good. This one was $15.

You and Ian are right in that it was well painted. There was a thick undercoat on both sides of the saw plate. I haven't cleaned the reverse side yet, but the face took two applications of paint stripper.

I will be posting about the other saws over the next few days.

Regards
Paul

**macg** · 16th June 2018, 06:56 PM

Paul

what type of Symonds saw did you think was under the protective paint?

Graham

**Bushmiller** · 17th June 2018, 05:28 PM

Graham

From the stud pattern and the absence of wheat carving I was expecting a No.8. In fact from that era it could not be anything else. (A No.9 would have had a lambs tongue handle): As a D8 I suppose it was closeish: Ah....Not really.

Regards
Paul

**macg** · 17th June 2018, 09:35 PM

Paul

on the plus side, you now have a spare and rare medallion that I'm sure in time you will be able to use and that is when this episode of failed excitement will put a smile on your face,
so in the mean time keep at it.

Graham.

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