The christmas ham

**chambezio** · 18th December 2021, 08:31 AM

Being Christmas I have followed a tradition that my Dad started. When we were growing up money was tight but he always made sure we got a leg of ham to eat through the Christmas holidays. I bought a half leg (top half) and I wanted to share a chunk with our eldest daughter and son-in-law. There is a bone through the meat so I took the leg to the bandsaw to do some "surgery". The Bandsaw is a Toolex 14" and the blade was the original that was on the machine when I bought it. I had sharpened it some time back and I knew it would do the job. The teeth are large I think it would be 3TPI so yes it is coarse. While I was preparing my self and the ham for the procedure I thought that as I was pushing through the cut, when I came to the bone (maybe about 25mm diameter) the blade might "grab" the bone and try to jam the cut.....as I was pushing through the meat the blade went straight through the bone with NO resistance!!!

It surprised me and made me then think about a potential accident (not being careful and not realising a hand or finger or even arm) could very quickly be amputated before one could realise what happened. Sobering thought.

So all you blokes out there that will need to divide the Christmas Ham be careful. You don't want to spend Christmas in the hospital

Merry Christmas to all

**BobL** · 18th December 2021, 08:48 AM

I probably use my BS more for cutting dog bones than any other single material. we buy bags of whole bones from a local meat supplier and I find I'm cutting bones about every 3 days. You're right - the way the BS cuts through even a big beef knuckle is quite sobering.

**havabeer69** · 20th December 2021, 11:52 PM

the old recipro saw (with a clean blade) makes short work of xmas hams as well. Gives carving at the table a nice twist, need a wood blade for the bone.

I found a two pack of these guys in the reduced bin at bunnings. meant for cutting leather... but they're great at two other things, carving ham and cutting large styrofoam protection things in boxes with little to no mess.

**warrick** · 21st December 2021, 12:26 AM

You could try one of these

BOSCH 300mm 3TPI Stainless Steel Reciprocating Saw Blade for Ice/Meat Cutting - S1211K - 5 Piece | Total Tools

Rick

**rustynail** · 21st December 2021, 01:10 PM

A reciprocating saw is the go. Battery operated, can go any where, split a beef carcase in no time, delimb in seconds, take off the head with one swipe. Try all that on a bandsaw with a full body of beef. Take out the blade and drop it in a bucket of boiling water.
If you are a hog for punishment and insist on using your bandsaw to butcher use both hands to feed meat through and both thumbs pressed against the back of the meat clear of the blade. This method helps open the cut as it goes through the saw preventing bone jamb and splintering.
Ah the good old days.

**BobL** · 21st December 2021, 05:55 PM

I've tried a reciprocating saw but i find its near impossible to hold up to a short, roundish, greasy beef knuckle whereas the bandsaw splits these easily. The tallow reduces table rusting as well.

**havabeer69** · 22nd December 2021, 08:24 PM

Originally Posted by BobL

I've tried a reciprocating saw but i find its near impossible to hold up to a short, roundish, greasy beef knuckle whereas the bandsaw splits these easily. The tallow reduces table rusting as well.

I think part of it is the recipro's inability to use the whole blade and clogs up the smallish cutting area super quick

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