Atkinson Walker handmade tenon saws ?

[Harbo]

I have no real evidence about who makes what and perhaps I have misread Thomas Flynn's "World od Woodworking" blurb:

The latest addition to our product lines was added in June 2008 in the form of the Roberts & Lee saw company. This was the last other known saw manufacturers in the UK. This is now in operation from our factory.

But if you look closely at the handles and brass fixings of the Crown, William Greaves and Atkinson Walker - they look identical to me?

Rod

 

[Ray Gardiner]

Hi Harbo,

The similarity (identical) of the handle patterns is too much of a coincidence to be arbitrary, and it would seem to indicate one of only a few possibilites.

1. They are all made by the same company.
2. They all outsource the handle making to the same company.
3. They all chose identical handle patterns, by accident.

I put the question to Katie (see http://www.backsaw.net/index.php?option ... 6&catid=11)

and, (given what I infer the situation to be) she quite properly (and politely) declined to answer. Full marks to her.

I think we can join the dots however, and draw conclusions.

As always, in attempting to determine who makes what, the real situation is probably more complex. There may well be a mix of outsourced product (perhaps some of the hard point saws) and internally made product for all I know. Outsourcing is not a new practice in sawmaking by any means, Taylor Bros made saws for many different brands, and other sawmakers no doubt did the same.
Still it's good to know there are still saws being made in Sheffield, long may it continue.

Regards
Ray

 

[Harbo]

Hi Ray - thanks for the link, it makes interesting reading.

I do not really care about the rebadging but why not be honest about it - the main thing is that they are made in Sheffield?
It's a pity they do not go the extra mile and improve the standard handle - but perhaps it will cost way too much?
If they are the same clones, then perhaps they could produce variations with better handles priced accordingly?

Rod

 

[woodbloke]

Those saws look good apart from the handles, which look like the awful Spear & Jackson things I had when I was teaching. How difficult can it be for a maker to improve the saw 100% by fitting a good quality handle? Surely not that much I would have thought - Rob

 

[MIGNAL]

Just reshape the existing handle. Obviously the amount that can be done is limited but simply rounding the corners will make it feel more comfortable in the hand.

 

[matthewwh]

Thomas Flinn do make saws for other people, but Atkinson Walker are independent. Having said that there aren't that many component parts to a saw and I shouldn't imagine there is a massive selection of people supplying those components within Sheffield.

As far as the handles go, I think we are onto a good idea with a saw kit that allows you to make a custom handle of your own. As a one off project making a really nice bespoke handle is quite enjoyable, but becomes prohibitively expensive when viewed as a commercial proposition. In terms of getting Wenzloff looks and feel, but without the bill or the waiting, I reckon this is the best solution. Now I just need to find some really good handle plans.

 

[bugbear]

Those saws look good apart from the handles, which look like the awful Spear & Jackson things I had when I was teaching. How difficult can it be for a maker to improve the saw 100% by fitting a good quality handle? Surely not that much I would have thought - Rob

Eddie Sirotich says otherwise.

BugBear