Thread: Panel Saw Survey

Ron, I might be being a bit thick but I'm not sure what your web site address is or how to find it?

Main web page
http://www.bontzsawworks.net/

Survey
http://www.bontzsawworks.net/panel-saws-survey/

I'd post this in the main hand tool forum... more traffic.

Ray

Thank you, Ray. It did not even occur to me to put the link up.

Ron

In recent times I have developed an interest in vintage handsaws, which is really a euphemism for an addiction, and initially I collected only 26" saws and longer. Each saw has to be a user (potentially anyway) and my intention is to use each one even if it is only once a year. However, gradually I acquired some panel saws too. Sometimes this was because it was a model I was chasing and hand saws were scarce, but sometimes it was because they are a delight in themselves.

In your survey, one question was " if you could only own a single saw, what size would it be." I had to say 24". The reason for that is, despite my unequivocal bias towards larger saws, they would be unwieldy in many situations. The panel saw will still do the work of a handsaw, albeit at a lesser rate. In fact the only question to my mind was should I say 24" or 22."

There is another aspect and it is that people looking for a precision saw are probably performing finer and more delicate work and a full size hand saw doesn't quite fit that bill. It is also usually of a finer guage, in vintage saws at least. I could counter that argument by saying that an 11ppi or 12ppi full size saw can produce magnificent work. However, from a commercial point of view I would also comment that I see panel saws frequently sell at elevated prices from the specialist saw restorers in the US and you have to assume that these are going to be user saws.

I agree that the saw plate should be tapered and that is probably your biggest hurdle in production. I think that the totes from the early eras (up to the depression period) are beautiful to look at and feel so much better in the hand. If you are looking at $300 upwards for such a saw, it has to comply with the aesthetics (etch, medallion tote and plate design) as well as being a performer. If the project comes to fruition I will look forward to seeing the final product.

Regards
Paul

Just some of the results of the little survey I posted. Thank you for your input. For those that are interested I posted another short survey on Gent's Saws. Thanks again. Ron
http://www.bontzsawworks.net/gent-s-saw-survey/
http://www.bontzsawworks.net/panel-saws-survey/

Thanks for making your results available Ron, very interesting.

Cheers,
Rob