Anyone who has wanted to find out about the history of saws and saw makers will probably have heard about this book already. They will have read articles by Simon Barley in the Tools and Trades History Society newsletter and journal. They will have seen his helpful answers on the backsaw.net forum. They will have heard the oft-repeated news that it should be ready soon. Well now the waiting is over. It's out! This is the book that will sit beside British Planemakers and be the definitive work of history and reference on saws.
I should say that this is not really a review - I have only just got my copy and not read it yet - but I thought like-minded enthusiasts would like to see what the book covers.
First observation: it's big! Over 700 pages and lots of illustrations. It's a big paperback with good clear print and white paper.
The Contents page shows the scope:
Here are some sample views showing the impressive depth of treatment:
As with BPM3, the bulk of the book is an alphabetical listing of makers and sellers, which will be invaluable in tracking down the origin of any old saws you may have. Entries show photos of marks on saws and trace the locations and dates of makers.
If you want to buy a copy of this wonderful book - and I think you should! - details of how to get it are on the TATHS site at http://taths.org.uk/193-british-saws-saw-makers-from-1660-by-simon-barley-now-also-in-hardback.
The book will also be available direct from the author at the next David Stanley sale on 27 September.
If you want to meet Dr Barley - and several other noted tool historians - he is one of the speakers at a special event at the Weald and Downland open air museum on Tuesday 30 September http://www.wealddown.co.uk/Courses/...50th-anniversary-of-WL-Goodman-s-seminal-book.
[Edited to update url.]
I should say that this is not really a review - I have only just got my copy and not read it yet - but I thought like-minded enthusiasts would like to see what the book covers.
First observation: it's big! Over 700 pages and lots of illustrations. It's a big paperback with good clear print and white paper.
The Contents page shows the scope:
Here are some sample views showing the impressive depth of treatment:
As with BPM3, the bulk of the book is an alphabetical listing of makers and sellers, which will be invaluable in tracking down the origin of any old saws you may have. Entries show photos of marks on saws and trace the locations and dates of makers.
If you want to buy a copy of this wonderful book - and I think you should! - details of how to get it are on the TATHS site at http://taths.org.uk/193-british-saws-saw-makers-from-1660-by-simon-barley-now-also-in-hardback.
The book will also be available direct from the author at the next David Stanley sale on 27 September.
If you want to meet Dr Barley - and several other noted tool historians - he is one of the speakers at a special event at the Weald and Downland open air museum on Tuesday 30 September http://www.wealddown.co.uk/Courses/...50th-anniversary-of-WL-Goodman-s-seminal-book.
[Edited to update url.]
