Hand saw handle twiddly bits

[deema]

I have been following the thread on the equitable Skellton saw when it got me thinking, what are all the curvey twiddly bits for on a hand saw handle?

 

[AndyT]

Well, the simple answer is that a nice curvy handle is MUCH more comfortable than a plain lump and looks better too.

But you might like to have a look at this discussion from a few years ago.

https://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/forums/how-do-you-hold-a-saw-t51688.html

I started it when I noticed a different grip illustrated in Joyce, which needs the horns to take the weight of the saw and the lower notch as a place for your little finger to nestle into. The discussion veered off into a blog post from Chris Schwarz, possibly prompted by the thread, with Derek Cohen linking back to the same picture.

 

[MIGNAL]

They are there for aesthetic considerations only. Absolutely no need for them. You only really need the part you grip and perhaps the upper horn, the rest is purely decorative. I know it isn't quite the same thing but look at a Japanese saw, it's just a stick. It works.

 

[deema]

Thanks Mignal, that's what I've always thought, that the bits between the two horns and the blade were purely aesthetic, however, they take time to produce and surely something a little more decorative could have been developed if they were purely for decoration.

In fact when I occassionaly place a hand on top of the handle as well as the other holding the handle the twiddly bits are positively a nuisance. They seem to appear on every form of saw.


On some of my saws the rasp has created a far more pleasing line with no twiddly bits to be seen, and I never missed them!

 

[Cheshirechappie]

If you've never used a saw with a mid-1800s or earlier handle, then it's hard to explain just how much better they are both ergonomically and aesthetically than a more modern handle. I used to think I had some fairly comfortable saw handles before I bought a pre-1850 Drabble and Sanderson panel saw.

It's true that some elements are purely decorative (the lamb's tongue detail where the bottom loop of a closed handle meets the cheek, for example), but some elements are eminently practical. The horns at the back of the handle embrace the hand nicely, and tell you when your hand and arm are in line with the cut, or not. On hand and panel saws, there's a notch on the top of the handle above the finger hole. When you use the saw two-handed, your palm sits nicely on the top front of the handle, and your thumb rests neatly (and comfortably) in the notch. (The same notch appears on some later saws, but smaller and consequently of no practical use - makers forgot why they were putting it there.)

Once you've used such saws, you find that the handles on modern saws (other than the very expensive top-end ones) are utterly dreadful both ergonomically and aesthetically. All I can suggest is finding some templates of older saw handles and making some new handles for your saws - adjust the handle sizes to fit your hand (a couple of practice pieces in something cheap will soon indicate what's best for you). You won't regret it - your saws stop being just a tool, and instead become extensions of your arm. You can use exotic woods if you like, but beech is just fine. It takes a lovely smooth finish, and three thin coats of Danish oil wiped (not brushed) on give surface protection but leave the handle feeling like wood, rather than the rather nasty heavy lacquer some tool manufacturers use, which just feels like plastic. Definitely worth the effort.

 

[matt_southward]

Cheshirechappie do you know of a decent online reference for a newcomer to learn about handle shapes and how they've changed? I'd like to be able to spot the differences as I'd like to buy some vintage saws at some point

 

[Cheshirechappie]

Probably the best way to understand how saw design has changed is to invest in a copy of Simon Barley's book, available through the TATHS website. Sadly, it's not the cheapest book available, but that's the price of short print runs and long study of the subject!

Specifically online - try http://www.backsaw.net which has quite a lot of useful information, including several galleries of saw-handle shapes, and a time-line of saw features. The Disstonian Institute website is also a good read, though obviously restricted to one American maufacturer. Another approach I've found fruitful is a Google Images search on terms like 'Drabble and Sanderson' 'Groves Saw' 'Tyzack Sons and Turner' 'Spear and Jackson saw', or any other older saw maker you can think of. Including the word 'saw' in the search term can eliminate a lot of extraneous rubbish!

Also - and I accept this approach isn't for everyone - it's well worth acquiring a couple of genuinely vintage saws if you can. Seeing and (more importantly) holding tells you far more than pictures or even measured drawings can. With a bit of patience, they aren't even that expensive, and seem to crop up quite regularly on Ebay.

 

[AndyT]

Just to add a footnote to CC's comprehensive answer, I did a brief review of British Saws and Saw Makers here

https://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/forums/post907051.html#p907051

 

[matt_southward]

Thanks both - that gives me something to delve into, and further slippage down the slope no doubt