Newby dovetail saw

[Stewie Simpson]

Hi. Completed my 1st handsaw build. A dovetail saw. 8 1/4" blade. 2 5/8" wide. 20 tpi.
Wanted a vintage look on the final appearance. Like to here your feedback. good & bad.

thanks. Stewie.

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/1st%20dovetail%20saw/SDC10699.jpg before & after final finish.

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/1st%20dovetail%20saw/SDC10715.jpg

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/1st%20dovetail%20saw/SDC10716.jpg

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/1st%20dovetail%20saw/SDC10717.jpg

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/1st%20dovetail%20saw/SDC10718.jpg

[Johnny Kleso]

Very Nice..
What kind of wood is that?

[Jeff Hamilton Jr.]

Looks to me like you did a nice job of it.

[Stewie Simpson]

Hi rarebear. The handle is made from australian jarrah. I applied a dark water stain over it then later steel wooled the 2 flat faces to bring out some of the redish color. What do you think about the hang angle of the handle. I think it looks a little too flat. Feels okay in the hand and cuts extremely well.

[Stewie Simpson]

Thanks Jeff. Being a bit of a perfectionest at heart I tend to always look at the final job with some level of self criticism. Can be a little disheartening at times. Most likely linked to my diagnosed clinical depression. Been a real battle for the last 4 years. Black dog keeps biting me on the arse.

Cheers Stewie.

[David Weaver]

I think it looks a little too flat. Feels okay in the hand and cuts extremely well.

That's pretty much the whole story then.

[Chen-Tin Tsai]

Whoa, really cool. How about a short tutorial? I'd be very interested to find out how this is done so I could make one too! :)

[Roger Newby]

If you're gonna name it after me, does that mean I get to keep it? Nice looking by the way.

[Jonathan McCullough]

Nice! Did you find/use a pattern that you could share with us? How long is the saw plate? How did you make the back? I made a back recently with 1018 1/8" thick angle iron 3/4" wide. Went after it with hammer and tong--literally! That was a heck of a lot of work.

[Zach England]

Why the pan head screws and nuts?

Not a criticism--just curious.

[Jim Koepke]

I think it looks great.

My thoughts on the hang angle is that it is up to the user. If it is comfortable in use, then what more can one ask. Having the "socially correct" hang angle is worth nothing if the saw is not a pleasure to use.

jtk

[Pam Niedermayer]

I seldom comment on these saw threads because I so seldom use western saws; but boy, yours is absolutely beautiful. Very nice job.

Pam

[Paul Saffold]

Very nice looking saw. Did you blue the blade?

[Harlan Barnhart]

I really like the treatment of the top of the handle where the "nibs" are recessed. Never seen that before but I like it.

[Stewie Simpson]

Thanks Pam. Your too kind.

Thanks
Stewie.

[Stewie Simpson]

Hi Zach. Wasnt prepared to pay the high cost of new split saw nuts. These were taken off an old backsaw handle.

Stewie.

[Stewie Simpson]

I think it looks great.

My thoughts on the hang angle is that it is up to the user. If it is comfortable in use, then what more can one ask. Having the "socially correct" hang angle is worth nothing if the saw is not a pleasure to use.

jtk

Thanks Jim. Your thoughts are very encouraging. I like the feel of the saw and hang angle, but part and parcel of personal growth is to accept and learn from all feedback. good and bad.

Stewie.

[Stewie Simpson]

Very nice looking saw. Did you blue the blade?

Hi Paul. Yes I did blue the blade.

[Stewie Simpson]

That's pretty much the whole story then.

Hi David. Was searching through my collection of backsaws the other day and found this Disston No70. Henry certainly created some nice backsaw handles in the early years,

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/1st%20dovetail%20saw/SDC10719.jpg


http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/1st%20dovetail%20saw/SDC10720.jpg

[Stewie Simpson]

I really like the treatment of the top of the handle where the "nibs" are recessed. Never seen that before but I like it.

Thanks Harlan. I tried to give the handle a unique look.

Stewie

[Stewie Simpson]

Nice! Did you find/use a pattern that you could share with us? How long is the saw plate? How did you make the back? I made a back recently with 1018 1/8" thick angle iron 3/4" wide. Went after it with hammer and tong--literally! That was a heck of a lot of work.

Hi Jonathan. I was fortunate to have some pre slit brass back available. The handle design was something I drew up and transfered onto the wood.

Stewie

[Stewie Simpson]

Attached some photo's of a new saw handle I just finished shaping. Its ready for the next step of fitting the saw blade and hardback. I have also included photo that shows a modified spokeshake I put together. Its an ideal tool for shaping those tight areas on a saw handle.

Stewie.

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/1st%20dovetail%20saw/SDC10721.jpg


http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/1st%20dovetail%20saw/SDC10723.jpg

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/1st%20dovetail%20saw/SDC10722.jpg