Thread: New To Restoring Handsaws

Originally Posted by homesy135

Once I have a tuned and sharpened older saw I can compare it to my modern hard point saw and judge for myself which is better.

Paul

Sorry to interrupt the conversation, but if I may have your indulgence for a moment.
Modern hard point saws are very good at cutting. Some of them are - dare I say it - outstanding at it, and may surpass even the best of the old-time saws in this regard. I have a couple of plastic handled cheapies ($8 for the pair, brand new) whose teeth are like razors in timber.
But that is not the full story.
What makes old saws such a pleasure to use - for me anyway, is the ergonomics of the total package.
This comes down to the shape and feel of the handle, the angle of presentation that the wrist is forced into during the cut, and the way this influences the arm and shoulder in the stroke.
There is also the balance of the saw in the hand, and the way that all of these things together allow the body to deliver the cut.
As a package, older classic saws are much more my preference.
Cheers for now
SG

Originally Posted by Scribbly Gum

...Modern hard point saws are very good at cutting. Some of them are - dare I say it - outstanding at it, and may surpass even the best of the old-time saws in this regard. I have a couple of plastic handled cheapies ($8 for the pair, brand new) whose teeth are like razors in timber.
But that is not the full story.
What makes old saws such a pleasure to use - for me anyway, is the ergonomics of the total package.

Yup, we're definitely on the same paage, Scribbly. I agree that hard-points have their places. The place for mine is in the tray behind the seats of my ute, and I have been mighty grateful for it on numerous occasions.

There is definitely something special about old saws that is hard to define. You call it ergonomics, & that will do for discussion's sake. Part of it is also in the mind, and that's harder to put your finger on, but weilding an old tool with history has an effect that defies logical analysis.

The part that is truly ergonomic is a bit easier to establish. In the case of the Disston, it has a balance & lightness that just suits me to a T. It's a little easier for me to push than the S&J, though twenty years ago,I might have had a reversed preference, and gone for the slight extra weight of the S&J. The shape & handle position of each saw is virtually identical, so I think all of the difference is due to the slightly lighter-gauge plate, There is only a few thou difference between the Disston & the Spearior by my measurements, but it gives it a different feel altogether. You can probably tell which way I'm leaning at the moment, but I'd liker to give the Disston some serious work to do before a final decision is made....

Cheers,

Originally Posted by homesy135

...... I admire your resolve to have a one tool in, one tool out policy.....

Homesy - it's driven by necessity due to limited space, not by any superior will-power....
Cheers,

Gents,

Thanks for pointing both of these downloads out. I just picked them both up and am going through the first one.
I have already learnt a lot in the first 15 minutes.

Craig

Originally Posted by homesy135

We'll have to get FenceFurniture to organise a bulk buy of the Grammercy Saw Vice (and Holdfasts)! Or buy one and share it around. They do look cool. If you click the link to see the sharpening DVD page, it looks like Ron Herman uses the Grammercy Saw Vice.



Aha, clever marketing! I thought after reading the blurb about the saw tune up DVD download it was an all encompassing treatise on handsaw maintenance including sharpening.

Handsaws: Tune-up, Setup & More (Download) | ShopWoodworking



You were quite right, Paul, the Sharpening DVD download is a separate purchase. It is also $15:

Sharpen Your Handsaws (Download) | ShopWoodworking

Good Morning,

My quest for a sharper saw has led me down the slippery slope of saw sets. I understand the "industry standard" is the Stanley 42X, but I am looking at the 2 Somax saw sets due to availability, condition and price. Does anyone know of an Australian stockist at all?

Thanks,

Craig

I can't help you with an aussie source (other than ebay), so I'll resort to putting some links up ...

https://www.woodworkforums.com/f152/saw-sets-128215/
https://www.woodworkforums.com/f152/s...w-sets-134949/

Somax Saw Sets
Saw Sets

Reuestion: Saw Sets? - FireBoard
Saw setting and Somax saw set : Hand Tools - UKworkshop.co.uk

Thanks for the links and extra info!

I've shot an email off to Tools For Working With Wood, they have the Somax tools on special, if you buy both. I am hoping they also stock the ones with the magnifying glass.

It surprises met that Carba-Tec or Henry Ekhert don't stock these.

Craig

I made an interesting discovery. Somax makes a saw vice!

zoom.jpgzoom.jpg

I have contacted Somax to see if there is a local distributor of the saw sets or the vice, or to see if I can order equipment direct.

Craig

I contacted Somax in Japan, and from their overseas distribution agent got the following response:

Thank you for your email inquiring for Somax Saw Sets and Vices. Your inquiry has been forwarded to us by Somax as we are representing them with regard to their overseas business.

Unfortunately, there is no dealer or agent who carry Somax Saw Sets in your country at the moment. For direct shipment from Japan, we require the following conditions:

Minimum Shipment Amount: JPY300,000.
Payment: by T/T before production for initial order.
Shipment: by courier in case of shipment amount below JPY1,500,000 level.

Could you please check the above and let us know your requirement details so that we can quote our price.

I've asked for some further details on prices per unit and for more info regarding the saw vices. JPY300,000 is roughly AUS$3,300. It would be interesting to see how many saw vices and saw sets that might purchase. Realistically speaking, a bulk order may not be out of the question if there are enough people interested here.

Craig

Just curious...can't u just make a saw vice? IanW posted good pics of his some time back.

Yes, I am building one in my spare time However, having the option to buy a good quality metal one might be nice.

Craig

Originally Posted by Morbius

Yes, I am building one in my spare time However, having the option to buy a good quality metal one might be nice.

Craig

Agreed!

Craig, as John says, a saw vise is a pretty simple bit of technolgy. There are numerous ways to make one, some more elegant than others, but as long as they're made with a bit of care, all are capable of holding a saw firmly enough while you attack it with a file. Sometimes I think a metal vise could be handy for small saws, but my home-made vises work well enough and are convenient enough for the number of saws I sharpen, so I find it hard to justify the expense. If I were you, I would want to make sure that the Somax vise actually does what it's supposed to do, before getting committed to a large order!!

Cheers,

to all this is a top thread.