Thread: Hand Saws

get yourself some disstons, I think I have about 10 . They sharpen very well and cut like knife through butter

All up I think I spent less than $80 :eek:

Felixe,

I am a Japanese handsaw fan. I only have one combination saw, but when I do hand cutting it is the first one I reach for. Got it as a gift a few years ago and from the first cut I was a convert.

Carbatec have a nice selection http://www.carbatec.com.au/store/ind...cPath=140_5700

Much easier to cut, easier to control, thinner blade, etc. Not sure about how to resharpen, perhaps someone else could comment on that. After five or six years of occasional use, mine appears to cut as well as it did when I first got it, so it hasn't been an issue for me.

Tex

Aaaah Diston, I have been told by my wood school teacher to look for Diston's from Philly. I assume at for less than $80 they were second hand?
Maybe I should try the markets?

I am unsure about Japanese saws, but carbatec is just around the corner so maybe I will have a look.

I was looking at maybe veritas, but are they worth the money?

I will have to check out all the stands at working with wood.

For what it's worth...

Good old handsaws can be found at some markets still, or on ebay.

LV saws supplied saws are nice-I have a couple for which I made Jarrah handles. I also have one from the Woodworks in Sydney

Felder NSW has, or had, a special on a set of Japanese saws that are good value

I rang the bloke at Adria Toolworks in Canada to ask a question about bigger handles on one of their beautiful saws. He would not make a bigger handle or supply a bare blade. Instead, he told me to get an old Disston as they were "just as good". I was astonished at that, but he repeated it.

If you stay with western saws, learn to self-sharpen or find a good, no...great saw doctor. The L-N dovetail saws for example have 15 tpi rip teeth with only 0.003" set. I've tried one and was sorely impressed.

Greg

G'day mate.
If you are after Disstons, then yes, they can only be got second hand. 10 for $80 - I wish... Routermaniac scored consistant bargains, the lucky sod.

Disstons were made in Australia for a while, and the Aussie ones are up to speed.
I've seen them average $10 - 15 in second hand stores and the handle will probably need replacement, which is not a problem.
The Tenon and Backsaws go for @50 on Epay, but you can get a bargain now and again.

IMO they are damn good value for $. Great steel, hammer tensioned and can stand my heavy handed sharpening.

Be very wary of getting a saw doctor to sharpen them, if they are going to put them on a machine - run for the car and get away. Generally, the machine will grind too hot, regardless of whatever cooling method they use, and they will change the profile of the teeth. A saw file, Bob Smalser's sharpening tutorial and about 30 minutes (first time) will see you do a better job. http://www.cianperez.com/Wood/WoodDo...DEX_How_To.htm
Just use a light hand, hard forceful filing runs the risk of breaking teeth. Better to have a Sacrificial Saw to get the Saw Doc to sharpen first - see how that scrubs up. Maybe some Brissie Boys can recommend a good saw Doc??

When buying the blade will be rusted and need electolysis rust removal to get rid of the rust and preserve the etched "makers mark" in the blade, but the saws are easily identified by the Saw Nuts (snigger) being marked "Disston".

Happy hunting and yup, they are worth it. The same quality new would be @$100+, if you were lucky.

Does anyone actually know of a good enough saw doctor in their city? You cant really expect them to spend their time learnign how to sharpen topnotch hand saws. Their main business is to sharpen industrial stuff and mower blades.

Is there any specialists out there?

Well, pity I'm here and you are there...on both counts, saws and sharpening.

However, as Clinton says, learning to sharpen is not difficult. It may be stressful the first time or two, but confidence will grow. There is a lot of good information on the web. Bob's tutorial is a good one as is Pete Taran's http://www.vintagesaws.com/library/primer/sharp.html.

I would suggest starting with larger handsaws before doing smaller backsaws with tiny teeth, just so you can learn what it is you are looking at. Chances are you will at least do a more than adequate job the very first time and with practice as well as most any business with less waste of steel.

Take care, Mike

Mike's point is a good one, re learning to do it yourself.

To clarify, using Bob Smalsers tutorial and the correct tools and going "Free hand" I spent 30 minutes on the first saw. Now its around 20 minutes (for a second hand shop abused Rip or Cross-cut saw) and I'm happy with the results. A touch up sharpen takes @ 10 minutes. Each time I reread the tute before starting. I'm yet to do the backsaw I picked up lately, a higher TPI so I expect it'll take more time and concentration. I might make a jig for that, again refer to Mr Smalsers tute for the jig drawing.
I just use two pieces of board and two clamps as my saw vise, and clamp that to the edge of a "bench".

Originally Posted by LineLefty

Does anyone actually know of a good enough saw doctor in their city?

I send my saws to a guy here (Adelaide) that claims to be sharpening them by hand. I am happy with the job he does. They are sharp, and cut straight, which is far better than I managed to get with my attempts to sharpen.

I should also say that I really like jap saws also, but for softwood...not as good for hardwood.

PS Clinton, I didnt get all those saws at once, over the last 2-3 years looking around I got some bargains. Handles are in very good condition on all of them.

Felixe, if you're not in a hurry scout your local market. Disston was a household name before the circular saw came along so they are not that hard to get.

Very easy to clean and given they tend to go for cheap you can afford to stuff one up when you are starting to sharpen...

There's a few old saws including disstons for sale on this site:
http://www.hansbrunnertools.gil.com.au/index.html

http://collectables.listings.ebay.co...istingItemList
hi felix
here are a couple of saws on ebay,if you get desperate for one or 2 give us a yell i have a couple spare
cheers
greg

Turned my nose up at 3 (panel sized) on the weekend, all with cracked handles and I can't be bothered making new. All for $10.
Now I'm thinking of going back.

I actually have "enough" for now....
They are pretty common though, common enough to be picky.

Routermaniac,
It is interesting that you don't recommend japanese saws for hardwood, could you please elaborate.
I will probably start hunting for 2nd hand saws as I use mainly hardwood and still have some Tas Oak left over from a couple of projects.