Thread: Sandvik Saw Info

As an apprentice pattern maker starting circa 1964 these were the saw to buy.
These are able to be sharpened, the flame hardened saws were much later.
Still have mine somewhere.
The English and American makes were junk by then.
Same with the Berg chisels you could still buy new Marples but they likely to be soft.
H.

They are a good saw and as said CAN be sharpened. I also have one I bought in the 70tes and should get around to making a handle for it one day.
That one looks to be in very good condition.
Regards
John

Thanks for that guys. It is in nice condition, all I have done to it is run over the surface rust with a "spent" 240 grit paper on a random orbital sander.

I'm not sure my meagre skillset demands another saw in the box, but we might just keep it anyway.

But then I might want to keep the 1920s Disston 7 point that came with it as well. And my wife is already asking the dreaded question "how many saws do you think you need?"

Originally Posted by goodvibes

..... And my wife is already asking the dreaded question "how many saws do you think you need?"

Ahh, that's a question to which the cunning answer would be "Depends on what you want me to build next for you, my dear.."

The honest answer is, of course, you'll never know. I have been considering this very question myself, of late, and trying to pare back to a set that does everything I need with the minimum number of saws. Bit it's very difficult for me to decide what's essential and what's excessive. I long ago thought I had more saws than I needed, but I recently acquired a 20" panel saw that I converted into an 8tpi ripsaw. I've used it for little jobs so many times over the last few months, I wonder how I ever got along without it! There are other saws that will sit unused for months, & I'll start thinking it's just taking up valuable space & I should find a new home for it. Then it comes out for a particular job & I'll think, no, this one is far too useful to part with!

I've tried to do the "desert island" exercise to cut back, but that doesn't help much. Obviously, I'd need a decent set of timber-felling saws & handsaws to build a house, and more saws to make the furniture - before you know it, the number of necessary saws has increased....

So I've decided to just accept that I can't resist giving neglected saws some TLC & a decent home, & be their custodian until either I can't use a saw any more, or someone who's need is greater than mine comes along. At least they are safe from the tip, for the moment, a fate a couple of them would have suffered if I hadn't happened to be there at the right time to short-circuit the trip...

Cheers,

Goodvibes

The Sandvik has a pretty good reputation.

I don't know that much about them despite the fact that a Sandvik was the only "real" saw I have bought at a shop and that was back in 1981. I still have the saw and it is ear marked for restoration. Unfortunately it has one of those disgusting dark red plastic handles. Back in the day it cost a little over $50 (it still has the price tag on the handle).

I plan to revamp it with a timber handle as I have several genuine, timber replacements or I could make a new handle altogether. The point of this is that your saw almost certainly pre-dates mine. The hardpointers, as I call them, were quite a bit later although I am not sure quite when. Interestingly, Sandvik bought out HK Porter around 1977. HK Porter had bought Disston in 1955.

Disston went rapidly downhill from these take overs and were eventually shut down completely.

Regards
Paul

Goodvibes

I have a medium sized apology to make (small apology is when I don't really want to apologise, but I think it is expected. Big apology is when I wish I had stayed in my hole and medium apology is when I did or stated something not fully aware of the consequences or repercussions) in that when I stated I have a Sandvik with a horrible red plastic handle I hadn't appreciated that your saw has the same handle .

I thought your saw had a timber handle and I was just a little mortified when I realised my mistake. I have to say I am still not keen on them, but I would have put it more diplomatically.

Anyway my faux pas did encourage me to fancy up my Sandvik. I mentioned before I had a spare timber handle:

Sandvik 277 006.jpg

This gives you some idea of size and this has a little better detail:

Sandvik 277 007.jpgSandvik 277 008.jpg

However those timber handles are all for full size saws and are too big for my 22" panel saw so I made one up. I am not overly fussed by the Sandvik timber handles as they lack the finesse or earlier eras. I based my handle on Atkins perfection model, which I think is one of the best handles around. I have to concede that handles are a very personal issue and much depends on the size of your hand. Simple as that.

Sandvik 277 001.jpgSandvik 277 002.jpg

Perhaps I should have adorned it with some wheat carving but I can think of at least one person who will be pleased I didn't .

Silly me. The timber is Forest Red Gum.

Regards
Paul

Don't sweat it P whatever number you are.

I had a small chuckle back at the time and took zero offense. Couldn't find it in my heart to rub your nose in the mistake.

If you want to send me a template of that handle to make up for your dreadful insensitivity, go right on ahead.

Yer gettin' quite slick at this-here handle-makin', Paul. Looks like I've got somewhere to refer any excess business....

Very nice recovery Paul.
And the handle looks great to [emoji106][emoji106]

Originally Posted by IanW

Yer gettin' quite slick at this-here handle-makin', Paul. Looks like I've got somewhere to refer any excess business....

I may have had a good mentor .

It may be just as well too. I have just come inside for the evening after sorting through some saws for restoration. I knew there were some Simonds in the mix and in particular a No.5, which is one of the company's models I particularly like: Not the absolute top of the line, but so darn close you wouldn't know the difference.

Well, it was a bit like the tortoise in the wood ( or the Irishman assisting the local priest to deliver his wife's baby. Yeah, you know the story, the priest asks him to shine the light so he can see what he's doing, after the fourth baby is born the man says shine the light be b*****ed, it's the light that's attracting them) as I ended up with four of the devils. And guess what? Not one had a handle worth resurrecting.

I am going to have to make a handle for each of them. I have just drawn up the pattern ready for the production line.

Any excess business referrals will have to join the queue .

Regards
Paul

Originally Posted by Simplicity

Very nice recovery Paul.
And the handle looks great to [emoji106][emoji106]

Phew!

Regards
Paul

Brought mine in 1966 and its still going strong as is my Spear and Jackson panel saw of the same vintage.