New Handles for Old....

[Alf]

- although I think some care would be required in use, since there appears to be a risk of cutting your hands on the saw blade.

Guards removed for clarity...? 8-[ But no, it doesn't pay to lose concentration or let your grip on the blank slip. Really it's just a way of getting the kerf off to a straight start. Unless you want to be there all day the majority is done the old fashioned way.

Anyway, a plauge on all your houses, you handle-making maniacs - especially Mike's relentless posting of droolworthy Seaton/Kenyon saws. [-X Got the itch to do one myself, didn't I? ](*,) S'not exactly the same, 'cos I'm not good enough to get it right from the photos, but "on a theme by John Kenyon" if you will:

Beech left over from the chair, BLO and Adam's wax polish to finish. Bit of an idiocyncratic shape in the end, but comfy. Of course I don't actually want a 6 point saw, but that's not the point...

Cheers, Alf

 

[Derek Cohen (Perth Oz)]

That is stunning Alf.

Regards from Perth

Derek (who would rather be making a mitre saw handle than reorganising the workshop to fit in a new dust collection system).

 

[Colin C]

Now Alf
I have to say that is very nice =D> , almost makes me want to start using more panel saws :roll: :wink:

 

[Paul Chapman]

WOW, Alf :shock: :shock: You're getting very good at this saw handle stuff =D> =D> =D>

Paul

 

[engineer one]

well alf you are bringing a whole new level to the gloat factor. :lol:

what a way to use up scraps. =D>

hope the saw works as well as the handle

paul :wink:

 

[Johnboy]

Wow Alf, that's stunning. As you can file saws too why aren't you making them for sale? About time Mike had some competition.

John

 

[Philly]

Hmm-top job Al! =D>
Tempted to have another go now........
Philly :roll:

 

[MikeW]

Anyway, a plauge on all your houses, you handle-making maniacs - especially Mike's relentless posting of droolworthy Seaton/Kenyon saws. Got the itch to do one myself, didn't I?

I feel plagued this morning...now I know why. Oh what will my children do without their father? And the Mrs?

I do try to restrain myself to just a couple postings, once in a while. 'Onest I do :lol:

Well done, Alf! And we all know, when ya got an itch, ya gotta scratch it...

Wow Alf, that's stunning. As you can file saws too why aren't you making them for sale?

I think that's a good thought myself. Isn't there a person who refurbs planes and such there for resale? Seems saws could be a better avenue, especially the backsaws...

Take care, Mike

 

[Alf]

I feel plagued this morning...now I know why.

You didn't feel at all plagued over the weekend? Tsk, I'm losing my touch... :wink:

Wow Alf, that's stunning. As you can file saws too why aren't you making them for sale?

Well it's a nice compliment, but given how long it takes me to make a handle and the whole minimum wage thing - would anyone really want to spend all that on a saw...? :lol: Mike earns his crust twice over, IMO.

Funny thing though; I was coming round to thinking the best way to achieve the "wow factor" with tools is to use exotics, but something about the unstained beech is just gorgeous. Begs the question, why are old beech saw handles invariably stained?

Cheers, Alf

 

[MikeW]

... but something about the unstained beech is just gorgeous. Begs the question, why are old beech saw handles invariably stained?

Same with many of the makers who used Apple--it's gorgeous wood. But that is like most woods. They stand on their own I feel.

I think I read somewhere the reason for the staining was for consistency of appearance.

But some makers like George Bishop left their Apple handles natural. As far as I know, though, all US makers stained their Beech saw handles, and most planes made from Beech, but not all. I suspect it was the same in Britain. I've seen many Yellow Birch planes over the years I don't think were ever stained.

Things change. I too like the look of the Beech. And it does "brown up" or richen nicely over time.

Take care, Mike
who is probably making minimum wage...

 

[Chris Knight]

Alf,
That is really great! I am so glad that I have the excuse that I am back in the workforce to explain why I am not keeping up with you and your prodigious output.

 

[dedee]

Alf, very nice.
I beginning to wonder if my nice sharpe saws deserve some new 'andles :lol:


Andy

 

[Ian Dalziel]

Ahhh all these saw handles....i really need another saw..i really need another saw.... :lol:


Alf you'll be making planes next :shock:


I

 

[Evergreen]

Alf

That's pretty impressive - in particular, the beech looks warm and clean.

In answer to your question, I can only guess that misguided assumptions about "exclusiveness" and "quality" led to that tendency to slop a mahogany-ish stain or varnish over beech saw handles in the past.

BTW, those handle screws look new - can I ask where you got them, please?
I've tried getting the handle off my backsaw and the screw with the medallion just won't shift. I going to have to do it a serious mischief if I'm ever to remove it. Also, the existing screws aren't very attractive in the first place.

Regards.

 

[Colin C]

Alf



BTW, those handle screws look new - can I ask where you got them, please?
I've tried getting the handle off my backsaw and the screw with the medallion just won't shift. I going to have to do it a serious mischief if I'm ever to remove it. Also, the existing screws aren't very attractive in the first place.

Regards.

Hi Evergreen
To get the screws to move, try some heat with some like a soldering iron or a good iron on hot and let it cool down before you start to try and remove them
I hope this helps

 

[Alf]

Unfortunately the screws were being sold off by Axminster as they no longer stock them. Wish I'd bought more... But I notice Rutlands are stocking the Roberts & Lee ones now.

Mmm, I suppose uniformity of appearance would explain a lot, and the snobbery about making beech look like something else for handles still continues now, doesn't it? Heigh ho.

Cheers, Alf

 

[Evergreen]

Colin

Thanks for the advice. I'll give the heat treatment a go. If that fails, it'll be the hacksaw next!

Alf

Thanks for the link.

Regards.