Comments on: Toolmanship: How to Use a Handsaw

By: Brown

Brown — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 03:22:21 +0000

Hi, I got a question. I have a handsaw similar in shape to this one, but not rusty.

http://static5.depositphotos.com/1032427/523/i/950/depositphotos_5236017-Hand-saw.jpg

I’ve recently have had the pleasure of acquiring several trees (young, no more than 15-20 cm thick) due to very stormy weather. I was thrilled! A quick project that I thought about was making coasters for the house (instead of going down to Big-Box-Mart and buying them). However, as I cut through this min-log, the cut is rarely perfect and I have to lop-off parts in order to “straighten” out the next cut. It seems like I could benefit from a “guide” that could keep my blade in place as I work through the wood, but I don’t know 100%.

What would you recommend in this case?

By: Jason

Jason — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 05:32:24 +0000

Check out http://www.vintagesaws.com/ for more information about hand saws or if you are interested in buying a tool from another era.

I am in no way affiliated with the site, I just learned a lot about saw there.

By: Philip

Philip — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 03:21:18 +0000

Passed down from my grandfather, who made roll top desks by hand:
Keep your elbow in line with with the cut, for better control of the tool. If the blade tip flutters on the backstroke, you are out of line.
Lift the saw blade slightly on the backstroke. This helps to clear the teeth and preserve the sharpness, so you will cut faster. Once learned, this technique produces a distinctive-sounding quieter backstroke that separates the men from the boys, without even looking.
Use the same lifted backstroke for files and planes, too.

By: Ben

Ben — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 06:10:05 +0000

John,

When you say “build a sawhorse with only a hand saw” Do you mean using the handsaw rather than power tools or do you mean builing the sawhorse with nothing but a handsaw; ie no nails, hammer ect….?

By: John

John — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 01:27:38 +0000

As a carpenter who has occasionally had to deal with a power outage or working in the rain, it is one of the more important things to know how to use a handsaw properly.
A good manly test of skill is to build a proper saw horse with only a handsaw. The saw horse should only be at the height where you will lean on the board you are cutting with a knee to stabilize it. You build a saw horse like that for a job interview and a good ole carpenter will hire you instantly.

By: Mr Miyagi

Mr Miyagi — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:42:11 +0000

What about the chainsaw?

By: Nik

Nik — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 04:55:59 +0000

Another tool article to overlook the poor bow saw. Maybe not as good for lumber, but they are the best for yard work.

By: Neverland Ballroom

Neverland Ballroom — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 02:31:03 +0000

Don’t forget that you can make music with a handsaw:
http://www.musical-saw.com/tutorial.htm

By: Jed

Jed — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:42:38 +0000

Third the vote for Japanese pole saws. If I could only have one saw, that would be it.

By: Patterson

Patterson — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:06:55 +0000

“Any pointers on sharpening a saw.” – no no no!