Handsaws

[chingerspy]

Hi,

I'm in the market for a couple of nice handsaws. Thinking of a 26" rip saw with the temptation to get a 26" crosscut one too.

I like using my circular saw for long cuts but I find myself spending more time setting up guides and tripple checking everything before I hit the trigger.

Besides, I like the idea of using hand tools and as some people collect planes, it looks like I'm starting to collect saws!

I've been looking at these among some others and would start with a rip saw, eventually getting a set:
http://www.flinn-garlick-saws.co.uk/aca ... Range.html
http://www.flinn-garlick-saws.co.uk/aca ... Range.html

If there is any reason I shouldn't go for this brand or if you know of any others that are of a classic design please let me know.

 

[OldSchoolTools]

Nice saws and money well spent, I think when you uy new you do tend to look after them, if you google saw maker you will find a few new saw makers on the market, but as I have never used cannot comment,
should think someone will rply and advise soon. Gary

 

[mr grimsdale]

Yes, go for it support local industry. There are some brilliant and not too expensive tools still being made in Sheffield. Clifton, amongst others.
I just bought these. Crown, but seem to be the same as Pax
They seem to be perfect. Not the high grade hand finish you might get with much pricier equivalents - and I had to sharpen them, but that's OK somebody has to sooner or later.
Brit tool makers are just rubbish at advertising and promotion. Sheffield is still a world class steel and tool making city, some people think it all ended years ago but they are wrong.

PS the toolies won't like the Crown saws as the antique looking markings on the blades are a bit blotchy.
:roll:

 

[Paul Chapman]

I'm in the market for a couple of nice handsaws.

These are really nice http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx ... 2884,57152

And so are these http://www.thebestthings.com/newtools/wenzloff_saws.htm

All depends how much you want to spend.

Cheers :wink:

Paul

 

[chingerspy]

Thanks so far guys...

OldSchoolTools, I had a good look on your site earlier, didn't realise you were on here! I couldn't see any saws though, do you not get many in or do they leave quickly? I was looking at buying second hand but could not find any decent condition early Disston's. Of course, I also don't think I have the skill to recondition an early saw without wrecking it.

Paul, I quite like the look of the Wenzloff saws on the Lee Valley site to the other ones with the rounded noses. I don't like them enough to spend that sort of money on though! Both sites were US ones and I'd rather not look at buying abroad. In fact I am pretty certain I will try to "support the local economy" as Mr Grimsdale says

Clifton tools, lovely workmanship, thanks for the name. Any other UK toolmakers? I'm really interested in the Clifton planes, they look great and are cheaper than LN, I guess the craftmanship is on par? Shame they don't do 26" saws really

After looking around at a fair few sites I still like the ones in my first post at the mo. I noticed that LN make 20" panel saws but would prefer to get full length ones. I just measured my "throw" and its apparently 24-25" so a 26" rip and crosscut handsaw would be my first purchases. If there are any other UK manufacturers making quality saws that I might be interested in please link me

Edit:
I just found out that Roberts&Lee make some too These could be the new favourites. They seem to be of comparable quality to the Lynx ones. Black Walnut handles, 5 screw, tapered blades. http://www.toolpost.co.uk/pages/Woodwor ... __lee.html has them at a good price too. I'm liking them more and more, never that into the wheat sheaf print on handles like on the Lynx ones.

Anyone own R&L / Lynx saws? or tried both to notice any difference?

 

[mr grimsdale]

T.. Shame they don't do 26" saws really
..

They do!
A big range of sizes and rip/crosscut options. Look on the website there are drop down menus with prices, under each saw.

http://www.flinn-garlick-saws.co.uk/aca ... Range.html
http://www.flinn-garlick-saws.co.uk/aca ... Range.html

 

[chingerspy]

Ooo yea I've been looking at those... I meant Clifton don't appear to... unless they are one and the same? so many company names in my head now Then I find out that the R&L ones are just quality pattern copies of the Lynx ones! And they've recently been taken over. Do Thomas Flinn & Co. own most quality UK brands now then?

Thinking if R&L are copies, I might go get the Lynx wheatsheaf pattern ones. Then I know they are made by the original company They are all pretty similar to Disston designs that I've seen in pictures. Guessing once Disston went into decline it opened the doors for other companies to carry on the quality saw making.

 

[Harbo]

This was discussed quite a while ago and from memory I think it was said Flinn - Garlick produce all those brand of saws?

I bought a Crown dovetail saw which is very similar to the more expensive Flinn ones and I am pretty sure they came out of the same factory going by their appearance and fittings?
Sadly they are let down by their handles, which are very mass produced - something that can be changed fairly easily though. (see the thread on Wenzloff's Blog)

Rod

 

[chingerspy]

Cheers, I did have a search but putting saw anywhere near the search box will produce a zillion hits Even after narrowing it down I just decided to create a new post.

It certainly appears that a lot of Sheffield based manufacturers come under this same banner now. So a toss up between R&L copies or Lynx originals at the mo, both of which are probably copies of Disston earlies

 

[mr grimsdale]

..... R&L copies or Lynx originals at the mo, both of which are probably copies of Disston earlies

Why would old established UK sawmakers be copying Diston? The other way around surely.

Sadly they are let down by their handles, which are very mass produced - something that can be changed fairly easily though.

What on earth is wrong with mass produced handles? If they were individually made the price would rocket up. In fact they look perfectly OK - even if all you want to do is put them on the mantlepiece.

 

[Alf]

Blimey, Jacob, it's all right for you horny-handed sons of toil - I get blisters just looking at 'em. :lol: Those handles are shockers, not because they're mass-produced, but because they're so poorly mass-produced.

Shelve the Disstons as the measure of all saw quality, chingerspy, and you open up a whole wunnerful world of old British saws. The 'Murrican folks get obsessed with Disstons 'cos that's what they have - we have Spear & Jackson and about 500 other makers over the years. I'm sure at least one dealer must have a decent user 26" rip in their stock. As for sharpening it, well rips are the easiest for a bit of DIY, but if you're going to get it done professionally you're going to need to find a saw doctor anyway, so might as well start now as later.

 

[Harbo]

We are not talking just about about looks but comfort too.
The Pax 1776 at £125 is not cheap?

The handle on my Crown was terrible - in looks, feel and comfort - so I changed it:



Workshop Heaven sell a small range of Atkinson Walker saws in kit form too - so you can make a nicer handle if you want?
But no handsaws yet?

Rod

 

[AaronWatson]

i bought a couple of these while on my furniture making course, as my teacher recommended them being high quality and 20 tpi dovetail saws unlike veritas/lie neilsen

 

[chingerspy]

Mr Grimsdale, aaah so the Pax and Lynx are more likely older designs than Disston then? Not really worried for my purchase, but I am very interested in the history. Might spend some time looking into it while I dodge work

The Lynx 26" saws are at the top of my shopping list currently, after looking endlessly at them and others Even visited ebay and there are a lot of saws out there. Pretty much all need sharpening according to the text. Might pick one of the better ones and a saw set and files to have a go on. If I can make one work I will be happy to use it!

Alf, I kinda benchmark things against Disstons as they are what Grandad had and the ex-chippy in the street has. But you are correct, there has been many many years in between. However I do love the classical look and a quality tool. This is what I am looking for really, good quality, aethetically pleasing and something I am going to want to pick up and use again and again.

Spear and Jackson, Draper, budget Stanley, etc... was more my dad's toolkit. Most of which has deteriorated through years of neglect unfortunately. I am trying to build a set of tools that I will enjoy using and will last the test of time.

I've probably said to much so will stop there

 

[mr grimsdale]

Mr Grimsdale, aaah so the Pax and Lynx are more likely older designs than Disston then? ....

The designs are all much the same with hand saws - it's not rocket science. Disstons would have started out copying established British examples, Spear & Jackson etc. as Alf says above.
All these curly decorative handles are a revival and don't necessarily do anything for the sawing performance. It's just marketing.
If you just want to saw I wouldn't even bother looking at the handles. You can always rasp a bit off if one is really uncomfortable. Or paint if you don't like the looks of it!

 

[awkwood]

There is nothing wrong with the older spear and jackson saws.
I have a S&J leapfrog and a superior R52 tenon saw both great saws
The R52 has a modern looking handle but performs very well

 

[Mr Ed]

I wonder why all the new wave of specialist saw makers are American?

The offerings from Flinn Garlick look OK, but don't go quite as far as some of the tool fetishists among us would like ( I include myself in that). I am also in the market for some saws at the moment and I like the idea of buying British, but only if its as good as the alternatives.

Ed

 

[Alf]

Alf, I kinda benchmark things against Disstons as they are what Grandad had and the ex-chippy in the street has. But you are correct, there has been many many years in between. However I do love the classical look and a quality tool. This is what I am looking for really, good quality, aethetically pleasing and something I am going to want to pick up and use again and again.

Spear and Jackson, Draper, budget Stanley, etc... was more my dad's toolkit. Most of which has deteriorated through years of neglect unfortunately. I am trying to build a set of tools that I will enjoy using and will last the test of time.

You're comparing old Disstons to new S&J - it's apples and oranges. Old S&J are good saws; they were in business before Henry Disston was even a glint in Pa Disston's eye.

 

[Mr Ed]

Interestingly I have 2 saws from my late father in laws tools, one Disston and one Spear and Jackson. He passed away before I met my wife, so could never ask him which he preferred though.....

Of the two I prefer the Disston.

Ed

 

[Alf]

Ed! That's not helpful! :lol: I give up - worship your Disstons, if you must. Actually yes, that's not a bad idea; think I might have one or two I could sell, and the higher the prices... :wink: