Thread: Symonds #96 back saaw

Macq

That's a very sweet looking saw from the top of the Simonds backsaw range. From the medallion it is between 1905 and 1922. It is difficult to narrow the timeline down any further without being able to see the Simonds banner. I would guess at the latter half of the timeline at 1916 through to 1922, but it is only a guess.

I would would be interested to know the thickness of the saw plate if you have a vernier gauge or micrometer to measure. I would expect around .025", but I am asking as at 8" and 15ppi it certainly looks as though it would be aimed at the dovetail market. Having said that Simonds did have two "dovetail" models.

Regards
Paul

Hi Paul,

thanks for your reply, the blade thickness does measure .025" as you expected, the teeth were filed rip for dovetailing and are 16 ppi.

It's a pity that the top portion of the etch is not visible. It's usually the bottom that wears away.

Can you tell me about the differences in the Simonds logo banner, that you have found in your Simonds research?

I am almost finished cleaning up a #10 1/2 hand saw which I will post about soon.

If you are interested I also posted about a Stanley - Marsh 100 Mitre Machine over in the antique & collectable tools forum.

Graham.

Graham

I agree that it is normally the lower half of the etch that disappears, but even as I am typing I wonder if that tendency is for handsaws rather than backsaws. The taper on the plate of the handsaw would tend to reduce friction at the top of the etch while the backsaw with no taper would not have that reduction. In fact it would be the opposite with the very small increase in width at the toothline with the set would tend to "protect" the lower half including the model number. I have not really considered this before until you mentioned it.

Disston, for example, did make thin plate saws, but I have not seen a Simonds at less than .025". Actually I measured one at .023" but it was probably meant to be .025" and had either lost a bit of metal over time or had just been a touch slimmer from the outset.

The etch on early saws is not so bold. look at these:

Simonds No.8A 2.JPGP1030325.JPG

At first I thought there was a difference between the two but on closer inspection I think the 8A is just worn more. Having said that I think it is from a slightly earlier time, but this is more because the "A" models might have been phased out early on. I am still trying to learn their timeline.

These next two are the later style. The banner and the words "unequaled, quality and uniformity" all have a heavy shading which gives the etch more of a presence or more flamboyance:

Simonds No.4.5 5.JPGSimonds No. 8.5 3.JPG

The back saws only ever had a single etch.

I will be looking at the Stanley Marsh framer and will look forward to seeing the restored No.10 1/2.

Regards
Paul

Regards
Paul