A Vintage English Hand Saw

Neat, I just had read an article by Chris Schwarz on tapered saw plates and how smooth they cut dry wood once you get accustomed to using one. Also how rare they are to find these days. Good score you got my envy flowing.

-- I don't make mistakes, I have great learning lessons, Greg

Gregn, I bought this saw on eBay.co.uk because I wanted to learn how to sharpen saws before I order a Wenzloff (well I can dream can’t I?). Have you noticed how crappy a lot of photos are on eBay? When there is only one, you really don’t know what you’re getting because you can’t always rely on the knowledge of the seller. I’m sure when sellers upload their photos there must be a button that they press called ’Make my photo look fuzzy and blurred’. Anyhow, on this occasion I was pleasantly surprised when the saw arrived.

-- Andy - Old Chinese proverb says: "If you think something can't be done, don't interrupt man who is doing it."

Thats great…very nice.

-- Wayne - Plymouth MN

Thanks Wayne. I can’t wait to use it once I’ve sharpened it.

-- Andy - Old Chinese proverb says: "If you think something can't be done, don't interrupt man who is doing it."

Nice saw Brit. And yes it amazes me that more eBay sellers don’t understand that good photos selll better than bad ones. Even if quality of the product is bad, intentionally fuzzy photos hide that, but then it hurts their reputation which dmaages their long terms sales potential.

Glad it worked out in your favor this time.

-- Galootish log blog, http://www.timberframe-tools.com

I bet there’s a lot of history in that saw that you brought back to life.
I recently discovered a couple of antique hand saws my father left me that must have been my grandfathers, one was a H. Disston & Sons and the other was a Richardson.They have really grown on me, i cleaned them up with brass cleaner and will use when the weather gets warmer. I think these old hand saws connect me to the past, a simpler time in history. I like that your saw has etching on the blade/plate it gives it more character mine does not have that.

-- A poor man has poor way's

Gary I totally agree with you about connecting to a simpler time in history. We’ll never see the like of these great tools again.

Bertha, this one is for you. I know how you like a bit of sparkle. :-)

-- Andy - Old Chinese proverb says: "If you think something can't be done, don't interrupt man who is doing it."

Andy that is one heck af a beautiful saw! I love it!!!
The patina on the metal is perfect, used but not misused, the curves on that handle are priceless.
I think you do the right thing to preserve it as much as possible.
That is a true beauty!
Congratulation on this wonderful tool,
Best thoughts,
Mads

-- MAD F, the fanatical rhykenologist and vintage architect.

Swirt – Glad its not just me.
Gary – If only tools could speak and tell us their stories. I have been trying to research this saw. I have found some information on the history of Spear and Jackson and I have seen another example of this saw (although it was filed rip), but it is very difficult to date it accurately. All I know at the moment is that it was produced sometime between 1830 and 1910 at the Etna works in Sheffield. I’ll keep trying to narrow it down. Hope you enjoy your saws.
Mads – Glad you like my baby. The next step is to make a saw vise and purchase the tools needed to sharpen it.

-- Andy - Old Chinese proverb says: "If you think something can't be done, don't interrupt man who is doing it."

Hi Brit, I have a question about your saw. Are you reasonably sure of the date of manufacture??? The reason I ask is that 41 years ago I was wreck diving on a wooden sailing schooner in Lake Michigan just off Milwaukee Wisconsin. While probing the cargo rubble with my gloved hands I could feel what was certainly 3 carpenters saw handles. Unfortunately I wrecklessly pulled on the handles and ultimately retrieved one intact handle and 3 saw blades bound together by heavy bailing wire. The medallion in the handle was heavily crusted over but a quick dip in Muratic acid and the crust popped off revealing a perfectly preserved, like new medallion identicle to the one in your saw. For the last 41 years I have often wondered how old the medallion (and saws) were. Seeing your saw I am eager to know what you know about the age. Thanks for your time…Gary Bonifas

Love those early lines and contours. Fantastic.

-- Shooting down the walls of heartache. Bang bang. I am. The warrior.

Hi Gary, great story! It is really hard to date this Spear and Jackson saw with any degree of accuracy. Having seen, handled, restored quite a few vintage saws, all I am going by is the shape of the handle and the patina of the saw. Spear & Jackson were formed in 1830, so it can’t be any earlier than that. From the condition of the saw though, I would say early 20th century. Just a guess.

-- Andy - Old Chinese proverb says: "If you think something can't be done, don't interrupt man who is doing it."