All About Hand Saws
Different Types of Hand Saws and Their Uses
I have recently had a lot of people asking me about hand saws and what all the ins and outs are of these wonderful hand tools. This topic has been on my list for a long time and I finally had to put out a bunch of information. Though several books could be written on the topic, without covering it in great detail, I thought I would make a quick stab with a video. You know, just enough information to start a fight with all sides of this dogmatic group of saw wielding purists!
First, I have to say to me the handle is the most important part of the traditional hand saw. That is where the user connects with and directs the saw to do its glorious work. It is also the part that can give the most information about the saw; the past users, the age, and the quality of the saw can all be told from the handle. How it is shaped can tell you about the quality that went into the making of the saw. Also, the handle can tell you how it was meant to be held. What is the angle in relation to the plate?
The plate is also a trove of great information and can tell you the kind of work it would be best suited for. If the teeth are large then it was intended for rough work but it will be relatively fast work. If the teeth are small then it is for fine, slow detailed work. Getting to know your saws can save you a lot of time and frustration.
Then you can get into all the other saws, frame saws, bow saws, turning saws, fret, coping, and so on.
All that being said, this is a topic with more than its fair share of rabbit holes; to delve in a bit deeper here is a video on the topic!