back saw sharpening

[Leonard Herbert]

I have collected a few dozen backsaws from Disston, Harvey Peace, Richardson, Jackson etc but do not know how to properly sharpen them for either rip (dovetails) or crosscut (tennons, etc). Are there any good videos that will make the learning curve shorter ? I have the files and a saw set and have also built a saw vice but the task seems difficult, especially crosscut teeth.

[Phillip Pattee]

I would start with "Hand Saw Sharpening with Tom Law." Haven't seen it myself, but Tom Law's reputation suggests it will set you right.

[Pedder Petersen]

There's a free one at taunton
http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworking/SkillsAndTechniques/SkillsAndTechniquesArticle.aspx?id=24976

Only rip cut, though.

Cheers Pedder

[Alan DuBoff]

Vintage Saws has a good primer (http://www.vintagesaws.com/library/primer/sharp.html) also.

[Robert Rozaieski]

Keep in mind that the rake and fleam do not have to be perfectly consistent on every tooth for the saw to work well. In fact, the little bit of inconsistency that comes from hand filing is what makes a hand filed saw work so well in use. As long as [most of] the teeth are all the same height and general shape, the saw should work fine. Your skills and the saw will get better the next time you sharpen the saw.

[Tony Zaffuto]

Another good booklet is "Setting and Sharpening Hand and Power Saws" by Harold H. Payson. This booklet along with Tom Law's video convinced me that sharpening a handsaw is not an insurmontable task.

My first couple of tries didn't take very long (rip saws) and the saws cut better after my attempts. I've also done a couple of cross cuts and again, the saws cut better after I've sharpened them.

T.Z.

[Alan DuBoff]

Another good booklet is "Setting and Sharpening Hand and Power Saws" by Harold H. Payson. This booklet along with Tom Law's video convinced me that sharpening a handsaw is not an insurmontable task.
The Tom Law video is one of the better ones, as far as describing the process. The Chris Gochnor video on FWW is pretty good also, and free. Pedder linked to it I believe...