Toolemera: Ohio Saw Works catalog 1874

[Toolemera]

Folks

First in a series of saw related material, here is an Ohio Saw Works catalog from 1874. If the name escapes you, try Woodrough & McParlin.

http://toolemerablog.typepad.com/

Ok, I know it's not British, but it's still an old tool...

Best
Gary

 

[Paul Sellers]

Hi Gary,
I suppose as a Brit I can make a comment or two about British saw makers as opposed to our US cousins over there. I have focused a lot of my personal research on saws through the years and actually would have no criticism of US saw makers and the quality of their work. As an apprentice in the sixties I consistently used to hear the craftsmen over me boast on the US made Philadelphia Disston saws (pre-Canadian Disston) and other makers from the US too, touting them to be of the finest ever made. I have several Disstons and others that I have used now for several decades and have found them faultless in every way and would that some of the British manufacturers had maintained the standards. Even today, the best Western-style hand saws are made in North America and they set the standard: Adria and Lie Nielsen and there is another maker whose name begins with 'W' and escapes me that seems to be establishing its name there too.

Thanks for the information. will add it to mine.

Paul

 

[Toolemera]

Hi Gary,
I suppose as a Brit I can make a comment or two about British saw makers as opposed to our US cousins over there. I have focused a lot of my personal research on saws through the years and actually would have no criticism of US saw makers and the quality of their work. .... Adria and Lie Nielsen and there is another maker whose name begins with 'W' and escapes me that seems to be establishing its name there too.

Thanks for the information. will add it to mine.

Paul

Paul

When you consider that the early US saw makers borrowed much of their technology from our cousins, the Brits, it's no surprise that both types of saws resemble each other. The primary difference as I see it was the institution of large scale manufacturing at Disston, Simonds and Atkins. There was simply more uniformity in the product in the early years (but not the most recent work as the companies became absorbed by conglomerates). The manufacturing process allowed for greater control over the materials from start to finish. Instead of outsourcing the raw materials, these three companies produced much of their material in-house. At least that is what I seem to remember, at least for Disston. Atkins Silver Steel saws are my favorites. Well balanced and able to hold a sharpening for extended periods of time.

Mike Wenzloff & Sons ( http://www.wenzloffandsons.com/saws/ ) are the 'W' guys you are thinking of. Superb makers of tradtional saws, and nice guys to boot.

I'ld add more information on the site about British saws, but that ephemera rarely surfaces over here.

Gary