dedee
Established Member
I've no idea how good these saws were when new as they are hand-me-downs from my grandfather but I do doubt that they would have cut any better when new then they do now.
The small one is a Disston No4, 8", 16 ppi from between 1896-1917 with a steel back and a slight crack in the plate near the toe. It is also engraved with my grandfathers's name.
A blunt Disston
A blunt Fitzwilliam with missing teeth and appeared to be a mixture of rip and x-cut.
The larger back saw is by Fitzwilliam & Co Sheffield with a brass back and in my hands feels "heavy" & well balanced.
I have never really used either of these saws in anger as they were so blunt and after buying a ryoba and more recently a dozuki I thought that traditional saws could never be as sharp as the thin bladed Japanese pull saws. I then of course had neither the will, skills nor tools to sharpen them myself.
Quite a few years ago I had a fruitless search for a saw doctor. I had a "star letter" published in one of the mags which referred me to the publishers books on the subject and a few leads on other forums led to dead ends. I could have got them machine cut but was not convinced this was the right thing to do especially with 16 ppi.
After a number of emails with pictures I feel as if I twisted the arm of a fellow member here who agreed to "have a go".
I now regret not making some test cuts before I sent them away in order that I could better explain how much better they both are now. The difference is amazing, although the feel is different (obviously) to the Jap saws they cut quickly, smoothly and in a straight line. I did a quick rip cut in 3/4" oak about 1" deep and the wee Disston took just one more stroke than the much longer ryoba. I am impressed. I feel enlightened, I guess the slope awaits.
Two sharp saws, the Disston is now rip, the Fitzwilliam x-cut.
I am very pleased and as I now realise what a traditional saw can do when sharp I can see myself wanting some new ones. They are now a real pleasure to use.
So if you own an old blunt hand saw either learn how to sharpen it or twist the arm of someone who can. The difference may surprise you.
I am not at all sure how typical I am in not wanting to invest the time & money into learning how to sharpen a saw. From previous posts over quite a few years I do think there is a market for this service but in case this particular apprentice saw doctor does not want their arm twisted any more I will remain tight lipped.
Thanks again
Andy
ps sorry I do not think my photos do the saws justice,
The small one is a Disston No4, 8", 16 ppi from between 1896-1917 with a steel back and a slight crack in the plate near the toe. It is also engraved with my grandfathers's name.
A blunt Disston
A blunt Fitzwilliam with missing teeth and appeared to be a mixture of rip and x-cut.
The larger back saw is by Fitzwilliam & Co Sheffield with a brass back and in my hands feels "heavy" & well balanced.
I have never really used either of these saws in anger as they were so blunt and after buying a ryoba and more recently a dozuki I thought that traditional saws could never be as sharp as the thin bladed Japanese pull saws. I then of course had neither the will, skills nor tools to sharpen them myself.
Quite a few years ago I had a fruitless search for a saw doctor. I had a "star letter" published in one of the mags which referred me to the publishers books on the subject and a few leads on other forums led to dead ends. I could have got them machine cut but was not convinced this was the right thing to do especially with 16 ppi.
After a number of emails with pictures I feel as if I twisted the arm of a fellow member here who agreed to "have a go".
I now regret not making some test cuts before I sent them away in order that I could better explain how much better they both are now. The difference is amazing, although the feel is different (obviously) to the Jap saws they cut quickly, smoothly and in a straight line. I did a quick rip cut in 3/4" oak about 1" deep and the wee Disston took just one more stroke than the much longer ryoba. I am impressed. I feel enlightened, I guess the slope awaits.
Two sharp saws, the Disston is now rip, the Fitzwilliam x-cut.
I am very pleased and as I now realise what a traditional saw can do when sharp I can see myself wanting some new ones. They are now a real pleasure to use.
So if you own an old blunt hand saw either learn how to sharpen it or twist the arm of someone who can. The difference may surprise you.
I am not at all sure how typical I am in not wanting to invest the time & money into learning how to sharpen a saw. From previous posts over quite a few years I do think there is a market for this service but in case this particular apprentice saw doctor does not want their arm twisted any more I will remain tight lipped.
Thanks again
Andy
ps sorry I do not think my photos do the saws justice,
:wink: They a nice pair of saws, despite the ravages of time on that brasss back of the Fitzwilliam. Still, given the only date I can find for the company is c.1875 I reckon it's allowed to look its age a little. 
