Docking Saws

**macg** · 25th February 2016, 10:52 PM

Hi all,

I thought it best to start a new thread on docking saws,
as there has been a bit of interest in them from another thread
started by Bushmiller with his The Simonds Saw Story that I
did not want to hijack.

There may already have been postings about these saws
that I've not seen, so I hope I'm not flogging a dead horse.

In the other thread I showed a Simonds docking saw that
was lurking in my shed (with a few others) Paul asked how
it performed since it had been sharpened with regard to it
being a thicker gauge than regular saws.

A year or two has pasted since I worked on it so I thought it best
to give it a fresh trial. I set up a piece of 6" x 6" pine and had a go.

It performed well, the finished cut was straight, true and smooth
but it was rather slow, which may be caused by the 20 degree rake angle
I used when I filed the teeth, which is not an aggressive angle.

The thicker gauge also makes the blade heavier which I believe
is an aid not hinderence to its performance.

Below I have added some photos of the Simonds and the others.
The 2nd saw has no makings, the 3rd & 4th are both W. Tyzack. Sons & Turner

Regards

Graham

**macg** · 25th February 2016, 11:15 PM

have now managed to add photos

**hiroller** · 26th February 2016, 08:54 AM

There was a small article on Docking Saws in the Lee Valley newsletter a while back.
Lee Valley Tools - Woodworking Newsletter

**Bushmiller** · 27th February 2016, 07:01 AM

Graham

My impression is that docking saws were intended to be fast, but very coarse, cutting devices. If I get around to sharpening my saw I will try a more aggressive rake. I normally use 15 degrees anyway.

Regards
Paul

**Bushmiller** · 27th February 2016, 07:09 AM

Gavin

That'a a good article. Interesting as to how heavily breasted the saws were.

Regards
Paul

**macg** · 2nd March 2016, 08:59 AM

Originally Posted by Bushmiller

Graham

My impression is that docking saws were intended to be fast, but very coarse, cutting devices. If I get around to sharpening my saw I will try a more aggressive rake. I normally use 15 degrees anyway.

Regards
Paul

Hello Paul,

I agree with a more aggressive rake angle, 12 - 15 degrees would be more suitable.

When you have large timbers to cut, you want to get through it as quick as you can.

At the time of sharpening, I think that I was following the angle that was already present.

It also has 3/8" breasting, which allows you to have a good arc and aids the rhyme of the sawing action.

Regards

Graham

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