Antique Saws at The Best Things

Saws

Stanley Tools

Wooden Planes

New Hand Tools

Saws

Buying antique tools by mail can be fraught with risk, because of all of the hidden problems that tools might have. Even in person, these problems are sometimes missed, and even new tools sometimes have functionality issues. However, I don’t believe that there is any type of tool that is more problematic to buy remotely than a saw. If a saw is kinked, it is really not worth picking up of the ground, and 9 out of ten saws that I see have a kink or other bend that makes them none-functional. Often, I see these same saws bought by colleagues, and then offered for sale as “straight” usable saws. I don’t think that they are being dishonest, I just don’t think that they do enough woodworking themselves to really know. If we say that a usable, you can be assured that it is. All of our saws will have straight, usable, blades, unless we state otherwise. Most of them will need at least a light sharpening. Rarely will they need setting. It takes a lot of sharpenings before you really need to set the saw teeth.

I believe that learning to sharpen your own saws is a basic skill that all woodworkers should possess, and we offer all of the files that you might need in our new tool department. However, if you feel that you are not ready for this, or just don’t want to bother, there are places that will do a great job of sharpening a vintage saw. Do not, and I repeat, do not, take the saw to a local saw service. They will remove the handle and put the saw in a machine. I can recommend to places where you can send the saw without any concerns for its safety. First is of course Wenzloff and Sons, the world’s premier saw maker, and one of our new tool vendors. One should be warned that Wenzloff and Sons are always very busy and don’t expect instant turn around. The other company that I would recommend is TechnoPrimitives. We have tested their work and found it to be quite satisfactory. These companies can be visited at their websites:
Wenzloff & Sons
TechnoPrimitives

SA81153 George Bishop This is a 20", 11 TPI, panel saw that is the Bishop equivalent of a Disston #12 with its polished and carved applewood handle. Located in Cincinnati, Ohio, Bishop made first class saws, but never gained the prominence of Disston, Simmonds, or Atkins. I don't know why as their saws are all very well made. The blade on this saw is straight and rust free, except for the last 1/2 inch which is bent as if an idiot opened a paint can with it, or something similiarly stupid. The last 1/2" is not important for use and it could easily be straightened. The blade also looks like it was recently cleaned with a power tool that has left circular marks on it. It was probably just a buffer. The blade is not at all rusty. I bought this in an antiques shop and I find that antiques dealers are often the laziest people who would rather buff a saw than carefully clean the blade properly by hand. All that said, you won't find a better user in a great size. G+ Sold

SA702103 Buck, Tottenham Ct. Rd This saw is really special in my mind. The blade is only 5" long, the smallest saw of this form that I have seen, yet it was clearly not made for a child as the open handle fits my hand perfectly. It is stamped on the blade "Buck, Tottenham Ct Rd.". It does not look like the mark had the street number. The blade has a dark patina. The handle has a wonderful delicate form. The lower spurs are chipped, both the rear facing spur and the front facing spur, but they are not large enough chips to have effected the side profile of the handle or the overall look. The blade is not perfectly straight but it is bad and I am sure that it could be straightened, but I would leave it alone. This saw is in as found condition and I like it a lot just as it is. I have no idea what such a small saw of this type was for but I think that it is a really great piece. Good $159