Restoring saws: project 1 part 2

Here is John Winter’s completely restored saw project. He has kept the same basic shape for the saw handle, but further refined the grip to fit his own hand. He has completed both saws and sharpened them as rip-cut saws because they have different sized teeth. It’s a good idea because he can use one as a panel saw, which cuts both with and across the grain of panels, and one as a pure rip-cut saw for heavier general rip-cutting.

The ripsaw cuts quickly and deepens in the cut unhindered and so needs no saw setting. The Spear and Jackson name is barely discernible in the handle, but the design smacks of S&J 50-60’s anyway you look at it.

Compare the before and after images

I think it’s something to see John sharpening his own saws. He’s one in 100,000 woodworkers who knows how to sharpen a saw now. Like me, he now has a skill that will be with him throughout his life and he will be able to pass on his knowledge when he gains competence and confidence.

The best way to preserve a seed is through planting it in fertile soil and not keeping it in a glass jar in some dark cellar. That’s how conservation craft works and that’s what The Real Woodworking Campaign is all about.