Fall Reflections

On this Saturday after Thanksgiving, I’m sitting by a warm fire reflecting on the year that is quickly drawing to a close. With five inches of fresh snow on the ground, all is quiet except for the dripping of melting snow from the roofline and the crackling of the stove. It is a good time for thinking about the past, and the future.

This has been another busy year. Once again, I spent a total of 76 days away from home this year fighting wildland fires in five different states. That didn’t leave much of a summer for anything else. I’m getting too old to keep that up. Maybe one more year and then I’ll quit. It seems like I’ve been saying that for a few years now.

After returning from my last fire near the end of September, I had to quickly try to accomplish all the household chores I didn’t get done during the summer. Finally, in late October, I was able to get back into the shop and begin working on saws again. In the past month I’ve completed four saw restorations, finished building a couple of saws that I’d started months ago, and sharpened a few saws for outside clients. Things are in full swing now. I have several more saws to restore this winter, and I’d like to make a few more new saws as well. That will be in addition to all the other things that must get done, like the furniture restoration and picture framing projects for the wife. The work never stops. But that’s the way I like it, spending my time productively.

I’ve listed a few more saws on my “For Sale” page. Be sure to check them out. The matched set of brass back sash and dovetail saws is particularly nice. Here is a picture.

When a Plane is a Saw

This is a kerfing plane. I made it mostly for the fun of making it. What is a kerfing plane? Well, it's not really a plane at all. It's a special type of saw. The purpose of this tool is to create a saw kerf around the perimeter of a board that serves as a guide for resawing the board with a rip handsaw or frame saw. Kerfing planes are kind of the trendy thing with the unplugged woodworking crowd these days. Though this one functions just fine, I doubt I'll use it very often. Resawing on the bandsaw is much easier.

One of the things I like about making saws is being able to express myself artistically. Owning a tool is great. Owning a tool that is also a piece of art is even better. This is the only kerfing plane like this in the world. I call it The Black Swan. I hope you like it. If you want to read about how I made it, you can do that here.

Some Recent Saws

It's been a busy winter working on saw restorations and saw sharpening jobs for clients all around the country. Thanks to all those who have sent me saws to work on. I appreciate your confidence in me.

In between working on saws for other people, I've picked up a few saws this winter to add to my own till. This first saw is by Lemuel Wheeler. Lemuel was the son of Elisha Pearl Wheeler, noted partner of sawmakers Wheeler, Madden & Clemson of MIddletown, NY. Lemuel joined the firm in 1868 and remained until his untimely death in 1873. Presumably this saw was made during that period. The apple handle is particularly nice, and the etch is an interesting one.

This next saw is a Warranted Superior "hardware store" saw. I acquired it for only one reason -- It was sold by Missoula Mercantile, a general merchandise store that began in my home town in about 1880. The saw was actually sold in the Kalispell branch store of Missoula Merc sometime prior to 1911. You can read more about this saw here.

Finally, a little British dovetail saw by Waller. There aren't many saws known by this maker, and it's hard to find out much about him. The saw is in good condition and didn't require restoration.

Carcase Saws - Fourth Saws in a Set

It's been a long time since I've been able to work on my two sets of heirloom saws. Two years, in fact. But this winter, I've completed two 12" carcase saws. These follow on the heals of the gent's saws, table saws, and dovetail saws previously made. Like the other saws in the sets, the carcase saws have brass backs and figured walnut handles. These saws are toothed at 13 ppi rip.

The next saws in the sets will be 14" sash saws. I hope it's not too long before I can get to them.