Hi everyone. I’m fairly new to this whole thing, but can’t get enough. Some call me a traditionalist, some a neandrathal, some a lunatic; I like doing things by hand. I know a lot of others here do as well, but I’m in my mid-twenties and all my other friends my age tell me I’m wasting my time, energy. I don’t think they appreciate working the wood, they only want a finished product. Anyway I need a new hand saw. Not a dovetail or tenon saw, buta saw to cut some lumber down to size with. The two main ones I’ve seen are the PAX and Putsch handsaws. What do you guys (and gals) think of these two saws (or any others) and do you think I can get away with just buying a crosscut saw (very tight budget). Thanks a ton for your help.
-Art K.
Replies
Art,
I've got a Pax that was given to me maybe 20 years ago. It's a good saw, but very hard. I broke a couple teeth trying to add some set, right after I got it.
If I were in your shoes, tight budget, here's what I'd do. Actually this IS what I did. Haunt the flea markets and yard sales, and pick up a pair of old Disston handsaws. D-8, D-23, and D-95 are good models. Other good names are Olson, Simonds,and Keen Kutter. Look for the name engraved on the blade, or on the big screw in the handle. I have several old Disstons, and am very satisfied with them. You will want one for crosscutting (12 pt or so) and another filed for ripping (5 or 6 pts). Once you have ripped an 8' maple plank with a crosscut saw, you will know you need a rip saw:-(.
Light rust is not a problem, but you want to avoid ones that are kinked, or have missing teeth. A kinked saw needs really professional help to be usable, and missing teeth require that the saw be retoothed by a sharpening service. A wooden handle that is nicely shaped (rounded to fit your hand) is an indication of an older saw, and a really "tricky" shape (lots of swoopy curves in the profile, and long horns on the hand hold) will likely be earlier still. Handsaws for some reason haven't caught on with tool collectors, and so prices are still pretty reasonable. You will be able to get two old, good quality saws for less than what a new Pax costs. Around here, handsaws regularly sell for 5-10 bucks at country auctions. I did have to pay $15 to get my rosewood handled Liberty Bell Disston (brag).
Check out some books from the library, or the internet, and learn how to file your saws yourself. It's not that difficult, and doesn't require any expensive equipment. Couple of files and a couple straight boards. Maybe reading glasses when you are my age. Clean and oil the blade and spruce up the handle, you are ready to go.
Good luck,
Ray
I have Pax rip and crosscut saws purchased new about four years ago. They cut just fine. The whole flea market/Ebay thing can take valuable time away from your woodworking if you're not careful. For some hand tools you have to go vintage as you have no other choice. But when given a choice, I'd rather open a package and start using.
Remember this - all these old tools were originally bought new by woodworkers who needed a tool to do woodworking. A lot of characters these days wax poetic about restoring and using these old tools as if it is something that woodworkers have always done. Obviously, not so. If you use a 100 year old saw just remember that somebody bought that saw new 100 years ago. Point being is that there is no shame in buying new tools and putting them immediately to work. By restoring old tools you aren't maintaining some sort of "tradition."
I think the old timers were way more concerned about their actual work and production than getting misty-eyed about their tools.
I'd much rather own a piece of furniture I built that brings tears to my eyes than Grandpa's old saw I just took out, bright and shiny, from the electrolysis bath.
Keep it real.
Edited 4/5/2005 11:27 am ET by cstan
I've bought old handsaws not because of maintaining tradition, but because the handles work better.Take a close look at most modern handsaws -- the handles are hand-killers. Older saws, made when that was what you had on a worksite to work with all day have handles that won't raise a blister on your hand in five minutes.I've got a fairly new Disston 12-point that I hate to use because of this. Blade's fine. Cuts well. Handle sucks. Bites, too.All too often I pick up a handsaw to cut with because a power saw would take longer to set up and do the job. I want to pick up one that won't hurt me when I use it.YMMVRegards,Leon Jester
They are rather flat with hard edges. Some work with a rasp or two will usually take care of it.
They are rather flat with hard edges. Some work with a rasp or two will usually take care of it.
True. But I'd rather spend thirty to fifty bucks to get a saw with a handle that fits my hand than two or three hours tinkering with one that doesn't work well to start with.
Besides, there's the satisfaction of owning something that a craftsman of another age used.
What I don't understand is that with the CNC processes available today, why saw manufacturers don't produce handles that are at least as comfortable as the ones they made without CNC.
You'd think that they could produce a better product at a cheaper price.
Regards,
Leon Jester
I won't bore you with a long story, but I have two Disston saws in fair shape - one is a rip, the other a crosscut.
You can have them for the price of shipping.
Send me an email.
Thank you, sir, a most generous offer.E-mail coming your way.Leon Jester
If money is an issue try the flea market garage sale thing.
I've probably picked up 15 good Disston, Atkins and other
good saws in the last 20 years from flea markets and never paid more than about $5. Just make sure that there is no more than surface rust and that they are not really bent. Also you can usually tell the quality
of the saw by the handle. My two favorite handsaws are a short Disston that fits is a medium size tool box and a Disston back saw, both I
paid $3 a piece for.
Art,
I think you'll find it difficult to find a modern handsaw as good as the old Disstons. Independence saws from Lie Nielsen, but they are the smaller dovetail saw. They are great.
Disston #12s were considered the best steel. A good one on ebay will cost you up to $150. But, others will work well also.
Go to http://www.disstonianinstitute.com and you'll find a ton of info on handsaws. I have about 35 or so that I have bought from flea markets, etc. I have learned to clean them, set, joint, and sharpen. It is a joy to take an old rusty dull saw and turn it back into a fantastic tool.
And, they are cordless!!!!
Alan - planesaw
Art,
Before I had access to a large bandsaw, I had a project that required resawing 6" wide 5/4 white oak into 3/8" bookmatched panels. I used the table saw to get me part of the way, and a handsaw for the rest. I borrowed my dad's old Disston rip saw, a 26" beauty that he's had for nearly fifty years, and I was impressed with how well it cut. He had it sharpened a couple of years ago before retiring, and I guess I expected the work to be more difficult based on the memories of my youth when I was younger, weaker and using dull tools! He was never one to have many "name-brand" tools, but that Disston rip saw is a beauty. And, yes, there is a 12 tpi cross-cut to go with the rip saw. If you can afford a Pax brand-new, go for it. If you go to the flea markets, you'll eventually run across a restorable, usable Disston. If the time and money involved in restoring it to usable condition isn't prohibitive, go for it!
Getting it sharpened correctly will probably be your biggest challenge. But plenty of people here have some very good resources for sharpening around the country.
I can't imagine doing hand tool work to the exclusion of certain power tools, but it has its rewards. And i greatly admire those who can work efficiently in the world of hand tools. Good luck and good skill!
tony b.
Here's an alternative view - I think!
I reckon we're all a bit precious about hand tools. In my New Zealand small town there are three or four retailers who stock $14 to $24 crosscut saws. hardened tips, great handles, a joy to use, and genuinly disposable. Blunt? Damaged? In the bin!
I say 'I think' because this week I spent $100 on a taper ground Swedish rip saw - a Sandvik 277, 24", 5T/6P, wooden handle with stamped decoration and bronzed hardware, good heft and nice balance. Been in stock so long the price sticker was almost invisible.
What am I saying? To cut well, and in comfort, and at real speed, you don't need to spend a fortune. Modern saws are miles better than the oldies.
But some of us like to buy quality, and sometimes the old stuff is actually better.
Cheers
MalcolmNew Zealand | New Thinking
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