Saw handles

[Paul Chapman]

My main interest in attending Philly's Big Bash was to meet other Forum members and to pick up tips from Alf on saw sharpening. However, what I also found very interesting was to see and handle so many different saw handles.

I'm now convinced that in addition to the quality of the steel the saw is made from and how well the saw is sharpened, the handle plays just as important a part in how well the saw works and feels.

The handles on most modern saws, like the two Spear and Jackson ones I have, are not much more than a slab of wood with a slot for the blade and a hole for the fingers. They are quite uncomfortable and make controlling the saw quite difficult. However, the handles on the old saws Alf brought along were a joy to see and feel. The two best ones for my hands were the one on the Disston back saw and the one on the William Marples & Sons 14" back saw (which I was lucky enough to buy from Alf \/ ). The combination of a really well-made handle and a well-balanced saw have to be experienced to understand the difference it makes.

Of the modern saws I was able to look at, the Lie Nielsen ones were excellent. But for me the best was the one on the saw Mike Wenzloff made for Philly. The attention to detail in the shaping and finish was quite stunning. It had both a crispness to the eye and a softness to the feel that is hard to describe.

I am now convinced that in addition to learning how to sharpen saws, learning to make new handles to replace the modern slab type is equally important :wink:

Paul

 

[bugbear]

I am now convinced that in addition to learning how to sharpen saws, learning to make new handles to replace the modern slab type is equally important :wink:

Paul

There's a compromise - remove the modern handle and improve it.

Probably easier than making you own from scratch.

BugBear

 

[MikeW]

Hi Paul--I took a few pictures of some of the stages of making Phil's handle and they can be found here.

It picks up after the blank has been cut to shape. Here are the fledgling start to the kit instructions for those who, well, buy saw kits. Kit Instructions.

The task before any of the above begins is making a pattern or otherwise tracing a handle for a saw you like. This can be as easy as a very good side shot picture, and tracing it in a drawing program.

Take care, Mike

 

[Paul Chapman]

Thanks Mike, that's really helpful :wink:

Paul

 

[Alf]

There are a few designs in this thread on Sawmill Creek. And more than a few patterns to choose from here. I found Mike's pictures of making Phil's handle very useful when I did that one in walnut, I must say. He makes a proper job of handle shaping and no mistake. =P~ Not to say tweaking the existing handle isn't a good idea, but making a saw handle is good fun.

Cheers, Alf

 

[Paul Chapman]

Thanks Alf :wink:

Paul

 

[bugbear]

Hi Paul--I took a few pictures of some of the stages of making Phil's handle and they can be found here.

That's really helpful and informative.

* I notice that (as in carving) each stage is nicely finished before proceeding to the next. The rounding is carefully built up as well controlled "facets"

* the photography is excellent! Was there a helper, or a friendly tripod as per Alf?

* it's a damn good advert for (those very expensive) auriou rasps!

BugBear

 

[MikeW]

Hi BB--thank you for the kind words!

Twas the friendly tripod 'n' timer. I would finish or begin a stage enough to hit the button and pick up the tool again where I left off.

One complaint about the picture series I have is I didn't follow it to applying the finish. Need to pause long enough to take it through the drilling and finish steps.

Take care, Mike

 

[Derek Cohen (Perth Oz)]

The handles on most modern saws, like the two Spear and Jackson ones I have, are not much more than a slab of wood with a slot for the blade and a hole for the fingers.

Hi Paul

I have only done a half dozen or so saw handles, but a recent conversion was a S&J of 1950's vintage of the type to which you are referring.

I agree with you - a fine handle makes a great difference.

Hey Alf, please post some of your saw hamdle work. I would really love to see it.

Regards from Perth

Derek

 

[MikeW]

Tsk tsk, Derek...the search function is your friend <g>...

You even posted to the thread :wink:

https://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=9761&highlight=handle

Take care, Mike

 

[Paul Chapman]

a recent conversion was a S&J of 1950's vintage of the type to which you are referring.

Thanks Derek. You made a very nice job of that =D> Mine are just like the one you replaced - quite horrible really

Paul

 

[Anonymous]

Those pictures of your (big panel) saw mike are very good =P~
The sculptural form of that handle is bloody superb
why anyone would want to hold a saw with a plastic/rubber mix handle beats me :roll:
In fact it has inspired me to do a handle for myself. I've got stacks of disston blades with no handles and some old nuts :shock: :shock: sitting in the garage. In fact I have quite a few old (100+years old) various handles that are similar in form to the one you did in the pics. (If anyone wants a scamn or other pic of them if it may help or inspire you to design your own handle then please feel free to ask me!)
I found one blade at the dump with no teeth it had been completely filed flat ready for new teeth but the owner for some reason didnt do it. Its made by meyer or meier?? steel "silvery blue" and clean as a whistle; are they any good?
Cheers Mr spanton

 

[MikeW]

Many thanks for the kind words, Mr spanton!

Have a go. Have several by the sounds of it! It's a good feeling to make something that makes one's enjoyment of a tool better.

Don't know if this is the same maker, but H.M. Meier was an Atkins brand, makers of their Silver Steel saws. Sounds similar to what you describe. If so, Atkins were arguably as good, and to some better, than Disstons. The examples I have do have noticably harder steel.

Take care, Mike