Thread: Spear & Jackson 1974 Catalogue (Saws)

Being the world's most experienced sawmaker didn't stop them from making the world's ugliest handles!

I wonder when 'Design' became more important than 'Comfort' in relation to saw handles?

I think cost of manufacture started becoming important around the turn of the previous century and played an ever increasing part in the "design" of tools.
This ultimately led to a uniform design for all tools, namely: an amorphous blob of a handle stuck on the end of some shiny cheese like substance resembling metal.

There's always the option of purchasing a very nice handled Aussie made backsaw.

Stewie;

Stewie

That saw is so beautiful, I never tire of seeing it. I thought you might have already sold it.

Thank you Homesy for showing the catalogues (this and the 1961 featured in another thread).

I have always thought the S & J medallions attractive, but it is a shame about the handles.

Regards
Paul

You're welcome, Paul. I've posted before about the dearth of online S&J catalogues, so when these became available I had to enter the market. I was outbid on the 1960 catalogue but serendipitously it was the 1961 catalogue, not the 1960, that featured the "Double Century" handsaw.

Originally Posted by Bushmiller

Stewie

That saw is so beautiful, I never tire of seeing it. I thought you might have already sold it.

Thank you Homesy for showing the catalogues (this and the 1961 featured in another thread).

I have always thought the S & J medallions attractive, but it is a shame about the handles.

Regards
Paul

Thanks Paul. Its a handle shape I am very proud to have come up with. I should really put much more effort into selling my work. At present I am happy to rely on word of mouth through the woodwork forums.

I have been rather busy if late, No sooner do I complete 1 project, I find myself putting my full attention into completing another one.

For those contemplating making their own backsaws, its a worthwhile reminder that you will still need to have access to a backsaw of an of equivalent kerf width to that of the saw plate being fitted to the new handle.

As you would know I use a slitting blade mounted to a router table to commence this handle slot. But to complete the slot to its full depth still requires the use of a sharp backsaw.

At the moment I am focused on building a couple of new toothing planes.

regards; Stewie.

Interesting that the '61 catalog doesn't mention induction hardened teeth. Anybody know when induction hardened saws came on the market? My first encounter was in 1987.

I certainly don't recall seeing it earlier than that, but for most of 1987, I was 10 years old.

http://www.google.com/patents/US2326674

1940 on the patent here, but for what looks like bandsaws.

Interesting discussion in the patent, too.