Thread: A new little saw

That's a nice result. Can't say anything about the saw unfortunately.

But I also have a saw with ugly painted handle. So I would like to ask how you went about cleaning and restoring the handle and the nuts and medallion?

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Hi CK. Card scraper for the handle and then a scrub with Methylated Spirits and coarse steel wool. If you look closely you can still see small flecks here and there, these can only really come out at risk of damaging the wood. Then my 3 in 1 and paste wax to finish. Brass just cleaned up on wire wheel on grinder. I am still amazed at how new the beech looks, the handle must have been painted very early on.

Hi MA, I too am utterly ignorant of S&J history, but having hung around with saws for a fairly long time, my eyeball impression of your saw would be that it was made in the early 50s. It doesn't look quite right for pre-WW2, but it's much better shaped than the mid-60's handles. Someone with a catalogue or two & a good eye may be able to pin it down more precisely for you.

In any case, it looks like you've got a keeper. That ding in the blade is probably nowhere near as bad as it looks after sanding, that often shows up the most minor bumps & dents that seem to have little or no effect on performance.
Cheers,

Originally Posted by Mountain Ash

..... the handle must have been painted very early on...

I agree - you can see the paint in some borer exit-holes, which thankfully aren't very numerous. The little swine just love beech, don't they? I often see old beech plane bodies or handles that are riddled with borer, while other equally old tools seem pristine. Do some come with a full complement of larvae munching away inside, or are they infected after arrival? I rather suspect the latter, and the survivors are the ones whose owners gave them a good soaking in linseed oil as soon as they got them (or a heavy paint job! )
Cheers,

Thanks Ian. Yes ding is minor and blade was actually pretty sharp. Don't think my holes are from borer, just marks of life. I do have some holes in a couple of my moulding planes, hoping my 3 in 1 mix sorts them out. I did see some reference online to the "Spearior" range being mid range for S + J, "Leapfrog" top and "David Lyons" bottom. Maybe that's why the saw has a steel back.

Hi MA,

yes a nice little saw that you can now admire.

With regard to its age, I reckon post WW II to the mid 50's

Below are a couple of catalogue pages, from 1930 and 1961

Graham.

Originally Posted by macg

Hi MA,

yes a nice little saw that you can now admire.

With regard to its age, I reckon post WW II to the mid 50's

Below are a couple of catalogue pages, from 1930 and 1961

Graham.

A lovely little saw.
I have a Spearior with the later handle, and while it doesn't look as "classic" as other handles, I find it to be the most comfortable saw that I own in use.
It is also a wonderful blade and cuts like a dream.
Tom

Thanks Graham and Tom. Looks like my saw is the "missing link" between the 30's and the 60's. Great images. Saw feels very nice in the hand and has some definite heft. Prices are reasonable too (cost $20.50 + postage)

You didn't like the blue then. No accounting for taste. Nice little saw.
Even the ones with the later 60tes handles are still good saws. Sheffield steel so the ugly handles can be reshaped. I have a diston tenon with a similar handle to your's and a smaller Tizack with the later ugly handle. They all seemed to go with the handle fashion changes around the same times. I remember buying a Sandvik panel saw in the early 70tes with a plastic handle engraved with a dragon. My dad rolled his eyes and that kind of made it even cooler at the time. I can see his point now.
Regards
John

Originally Posted by orraloon

You didn't like the blue then. No accounting for taste. Nice little saw.
Even the ones with the later 60tes handles are still good saws. Sheffield steel so the ugly handles can be reshaped. I have a diston tenon with a similar handle to your's and a smaller Tizack with the later ugly handle. They all seemed to go with the handle fashion changes around the same times. I remember buying a Sandvik panel saw in the early 70tes with a plastic handle engraved with a dragon. My dad rolled his eyes and that kind of made it even cooler at the time. I can see his point now.
Regards
John

Hi all,

This is a no 26 Spear & Jackson 14" with
split nut screws which i have which my father bought
at a local auction.
Martin.IMG_20210909_193933.jpgIMG_20210909_193920.jpg

Hi John. I have seen some Sandvick tenon saws with wooden handles and some pretty detailed carving, not just wheat.

Many years ago I "rescued" this little Disston from the bottom of a rusting box of tools.
Absolutely filthy it was. After cleaning up the handle I found that the back, which had been sitting in the rusting goop for years, had ebonised. So I now have a two-tone saw handle.
It is my finest saw now at 18PPI.

20210910_111645.jpg 20210910_111709.jpg

Here is my Spear and Jackson with the sixties handle. A beautiful saw in every way and an absolute pleasure to use

20210910_111614.jpg 20210910_112820.jpg

I also find the Spear and Jackson handsaws to be splendid users - their handles ergonomically wonderful in spite of the looks.

20210910_113119.jpg

Happy sawing
Tom

Hi Tom. All the S+J saws I have are made from lovely steel. Easy to sharpen and hold an edge well. I think they live in a bit of a Disston shadow. Is that Millers Falls plane in the background? And nice looking little project underway

Originally Posted by Mountain Ash

Hi Tom. All the S+J saws I have are made from lovely steel. Easy to sharpen and hold an edge well. I think they live in a bit of a Disston shadow. Is that Millers Falls plane in the background? And nice looking little project underway

Undeserved in my opinion - Spear and Jackson made some outstanding saws.
Having said that, I have some Disstons that I like as well
Yes, the Millers Falls is a 714 - a very nice plane to use - even if the handle is not quite as nice to hold as the Wooden sculptured ones.
The project is a small chest of drawers - I am working from a photo so have no plans as such, and am trying to work it out as I go.
Tom