Thread: Handsaws

Like the add - just do it! Search this BB, grab a file and into it. I successfully did a rip saw - cuts nicely!

Frank - try this site, an excellent 'how to' with about as much detail as you could want.

http://www.vintagesaws.com/library/primer/sharp.html

It takes a bit of practice to get them really top notch - my father used to make it look sooo easy. It takes me about three times as long to do half as good a job as he did, but the result is still better than a shop-sharpened job. Most hand saws sharpened by machine are a poor compromise. Genuine old-style saw-doctors still file crosscuts because it's the only way to get the fleam. And a lot of sharpening shops put way too much set on the teeth, particularly the finer types.
You should definitely have a go - it's almost impossible to wreck one, and you always have the option of starting again. Once you've got the idea, you end up with saws that really work well.
The best saw-sharpening aid I've acquired recently is one of those cheap headband magnifiers......
Cheers,

I think that builder you refer too would be using new type saws that are "hard point" (and are cheap) hence being able to throw them away when blunt and are not able to be sharpened by a file like good old saws which you may well have.

Regards
Stephen

Thanks for the advice. Unfortunately time is of the essence for me.