Tenon Saws

[Anonymous]

As an avowed Normite, I feel that I am trampling on hallowed ground by venturing onto this forum but forgive me, I am distraught!

My lovely little old Disston tenon saw, which has been my companion for 15 years or so, has gone. I've either left it somewhere stupid, or it's been lifted.

Thing is, I need to replace it. What do you Neanderthals recommend, another vintage Disston, or one of those LN jobbies in the Axminster catalogue? I'm after a small tenon saw/large dovetail saw which I will use for pretty well everything I don't want to use a power saw on.

Your thoughts please

Duncan

 

[Lord Nibbo]

As an avowed Normite, I feel that I am trampling on hallowed ground by venturing onto this forum but forgive me, I am distraught!

My lovely little old Disston tenon saw, which has been my companion for 15 years or so, has gone. I've either left it somewhere stupid, or it's been lifted.

Thing is, I need to replace it. What do you Neanderthals recommend, another vintage Disston, or one of those LN jobbies in the Axminster catalogue? I'm after a small tenon saw/large dovetail saw which I will use for pretty well everything I don't want to use a power saw on.

Your thoughts please

Duncan

I have a 12" 10" 8" of THESE

 

[Paul Chapman]

Why not get the best http://www.wenzloffandsons.com/saws/index.html

Cheers :wink:

Paul

 

[engineer one]

oh yes we can't let you off the slope without promoting the wonderful saws of Mike and his family. after all he builds diston replicas too.

i mean where else can you buy an heirloom that actually does the job too????
:lol: :twisted:
paul :wink:

 

[Paul Kierstead]

Adria, LN, and Wenzloff all make very good saws; I am especially enamored of Wenzloff (owning 2); truly wonderful saws. To be totally fair, I don't own an Adria (I do own an LN dovetail saw and it is very nice, although the handle is not the hand-shaped goodness of Wenzloff, but still), but I have heard wonderful things about them.

Of course, if you are adept at setting and sharping a saw, I am sure a used Disston can be had for a very reasonable price. Me, I'd buy another Wenzloff: see

https://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/forums/view ... hp?t=12876

For the one I own and quite like.

 

[Alf]

Now why would you only want a Disston with all the gorgeous saws made in this country? Expand your preference and the world is the back saw of your choice.

Gratuitous shot, I do apologise.

Cheers, Alf

 

[Anonymous]

Now why would you only want a Disston with all the gorgeous saws made in this country?

I'm open to suggestion, Alf.

I've had a look at the Wenzloff and Adria websites and can feel drool forming. I didn't know that there were still firms making saws like this. They seem remarkably good value for money for a tool that should last a lifetime.

Is there still anyone in England making quality saws?

I'm thinking that I should be looking at maybe a X-cut small tenon saw and a rip cut large one. I was probably just lucky with my old Disston in that it did everything beautifully

Keep it coming guys, I'm learning!

 

[mr]

I have the one Disston (D112 -ripsaw) and find the thing to be the most unwieldy , uncomfortable saw Ive ever tried to use, The B&Q sandvik hardpoint thing gets used in preference every time. Is that sacriligeous? The Disston handle looks pretty but is far to big for my wee hands I think, having a huge bulbous lump in the middle of the palm. Ive also got a very comfortable Spear and Jackson which, when I work out the sharpening bit, might become the weapon of choice. I saw one of Mike W's offerings at Phillys back at the big bash and think I can say safely that when the pennies are available (not that he's hugely expensive - more that Mrs MR woiuldnt appreciate it) I will very probably be placing an order. The real problem is choosing which one but you have that bit sorted already. I also had a brief play with Philly's Spehar tenon saw and that would be on a wanted list as well but I think Mr Spehar has given up making saws alas.

Cheers Mike

 

[Alf]

Is there still anyone in England making quality saws?

Blades I think, yes. Handles - well it depends how fussy you are. I'm used to the curvaceaousness of the old ones, so modern saw handles make me heave. Roberts & Lee come to mind as a maker who seems to be well regarded, but I really don't know from experience.

I was probably just lucky with my old Disston in that it did everything beautifully

Likely more to do with the tooth count, sharpening and set than the make, but Mike knows three million times more than I do about that sort of thing

Cheers, Alf

 

[Colin C]

I would and will get a Mike W saw but if you want english Roberts & Lee do make good saws, I have used a few

 

[MikeW]

If it makes a difference, I'm only a couple generations removed from England :lol:

Nah, if it were my decision to make, I would simply make a decision to go vintage or new. If vintage, be patient and don't purchase the first saws you find unless...

Handles are tight and the slots for the nuts don't look like they have been all messed up recently. The "patina" should extend into any deformity on the slots for the nuts. That combined with a tight handle probably means it hasn't been exposed to huge swings in humidity.

Blades are straight. A slight and even bow down the toothline is acceptable--probably only needing the back shifted up evenly from about 1/3 of the way to the toe and a bit more right at the toe.

No pitting. Well, if there is, none within an 1" from the teeth. That much distance will equal a lifetime of sharpening with care.

Decently shaped teeth--only an acceptable amount of large and small teeth, even toothline, or the willingness to learn to sharpen or get new teeth punched in.

But a "heavy" patina or light even rust is just a matter of cleaning and or sanding. These types of saws show up often and if one waits for them, are typically better than less expensive new saws.

For new, it doesn't matter who's saws. Get one which pleases the eye or be willing to simply make a more pleasing handle. They are not hard to do, they can just be time consuming. But it's pleasent work in the shop.

Take care, Mike

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the reply, Mike

I was playing around with a few vintage saws yesterday and it only reinforced my view that I had been extremely lucky with my old Disston, bought from an antique tools dealer 15 years ago. So I'm going for new!

For new, it doesn't matter who's saws.

I like your modesty - you've got yourself a new customer!

I'll be emailing you with my requirements and a bunch of questions. I am assuming you ship to the UK.

I do like the idea of making my own handles. I'll be having a play over Christmas!

Speak to you soon
Duncan

 

[bugbear]

Gratuitous shot, I do apologise.

Cheers, Alf

Yikes - and I though *I* had a problem walking away from bargain high quality saw at car boot sales.

BugBear (better at walking away than Alf, it appears )

 

[Alf]

I've sold a couple since then, to be fair. Although frankly I was wise to buy them when I could - good saws have gone the way of good chisels in these parts. Can't be had for love nor money.

But lookee here, folks, I wasn't suggesting 'Murrican saws were a non-starter (Mike's f'rinstance could be English... :wink it's just the slavish devotion to Disston as the only name to conjure with in the secondhand market is a mistake, IMO. I mean heck, they're not that alluring, are they?

Tsk, this is a bad habit I'm slipping into here... Oh well, it is nearly Christmas. :ho2

Cheers, Alf

 

[bugbear]

Well, if it's open season for drive bys...

BugBear (who hasn't put MikeW's lighting tips into action, especially on his old photos)

(and if people ask nicely, I'll tell you what I paid for that rusty unrestored saw ) :twisted:

 

[Alf]

Ah, nice saws those. Still kick myself over the one I sold. :roll: Go on then, I know you're dying to tell us and 'tis the season of goodwill to all gloaters...

Cheers, Alf

 

[bugbear]

Ah, nice saws those. Still kick myself over the one I sold. :roll: Go on then, I know you're dying to tell us and 'tis the season of goodwill to all gloaters...

Cheers, Alf

2 quid... (*)

BugBear (who paid 3 for a rather nice, smaller Toga panel saw the same day, which would have felt like a pretty nice bargain if it wasn't for the 2 quid Spearior)

(*) not quite as spectacular as the #51/#52 of recent fame

 

[Alf]

2? 2?! TWO?!! Sheesh, I was thinking One, tops - probably 50 pence... :wink: Gee, there's two lots of suckage going on there. Firstly you suck, obviously :roll: :lol: But secondly it sucks that I live in a part of the country where no saw ever has a hope of staying looking like that, loved or unloved.

Cheers, Alf

 

[MikeW]

I must live an unlucky life as I cannot see BB's saw picture to join in on the suckage nor see his hammer picture link in the other thread...

I think to reinforce what Alf is saying is that I completely agree and would go further in saying that English saws, especially post 1900s, are superior saws to Disston.

As for non-backed saws, panel and longer, there were many makers in both the US and England, who made equal or what could be argued better, saws than Disston. That statement would ruffle feathers on the OT list where Disston is held in even higher regard than the mini-gods of Stanley and Traut. For instance, I think Atkins and Simonds saws used harder steel, better steel, than Disston in the same periods.

Certainly I think S&J and Sorby continued to make better long saws past Disstons changes. Disston became the Henry Ford of saw making. He was the Gates of his day, becoming the most ubiquitous not necessarily the best.

For backed saws, Disston, who had learned from English masters and worked in the US under an English master until his going broke, followed in that tradition until the late 1800s. The plate was thinner, the handles better shaped on any given size of saw prior to then and as he took over the saw world, compromises due to manufacturing and the changes in usage dictated thicker saw plate and chunky handles. The English continued making their saws aimed for the furniture and cabinet makers far longer.

If ya cannot tell, I favor English back saws and for the most part, from the 1880s and older, the longer saws. These are my choice with few exceptions for my personal vintage saws and those I choose to pattern to make for the most part.

Well, enough of rambling. Take care, Mike

 

[bugbear]

I've sold a couple since then, to be fair.

Ooh! It nearly slipped me by.

(barrister's voice)

Have you, in the period "since then" (as you have chosen
to put it) in fact, actually, sold more saws than you have purchased?

(/barrister's voice)

BugBear