Sheffield/Atkins Backsaw Info.

[Don Rogers]

Several days ago, I acquired a batch of three saws which I purchased mainly for the Disston 8-1. Looks like a fairly new saw. It seems to cut well but could benefit from a resharpening/tuneup.

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Also in this batch was a short ( ) handsaw which, as far as I can tell, has no markings. At least none that can be seen thru the rust & grime..It also cuts but needs resharpening. No Picture at this time.


The best saw in the batch is a Sheffield SawWorks/ Atkins Backsaw. It’s steel-backed blade is 18” long x 4.5” OA depth and has a cutting depth of 3-3/4 “ It came with a plastic handle mounted using only 2 of the 4 holes in the blade and, of course, is a dead giveaway that it is not the original handle.


After cleaning the Atkins up, it looks perfectly straight, has the “Sheffield SawWorks/ Atkins” logo etching good enough to see most of the etching (difficult to photograph) and I would like to make a handle to make this saw a user.

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The question is: The size and shape of the handle so I can make one similar to the original? I have no idea if it is considered a back saw or a mitre saw.


Any information you can provide will be helpful to me.

[Jim Matthews]

18" is pretty long for a backsaw. I guess this is a miter box saw, and likely too heavy for freehand use.

[Don Rogers]

Jim,

That was my first thought also, but it still needs a handle and I am looking for a suitable drawing or picture to make one that suits it. At least I will be able to use it then. In addition to that, I am, looking for any information concerning this saw.

My web search, so far , has not given me any info. I did find a drawing for a 4 hole Disston back saw handle but none for the Sheffield/Atkins.

Buy the way, my new workbench is now usable (almost finished) and my first project is making a saw/tool till. As luck would have it, I should have made more slots for saws.

[Jim Matthews]

Gotcha.

I think the Disston 4 hole pattern shown on TGIAG would do...
http://www.tgiag.com/saw-handle-scans.html

FWIW - I really like the Regan handle used by our very own Ron Bontz.
It feels "solid" with heavier saws.

[Brian Deakin]

Please see these links may be useful

http://www.flinn-garlick-saws.co.uk/

or

http://www.taths.org.uk/


and

http://tgiag.com/frame1-saw-handle-scans.html

http://tgiag.com/Atkins%20Perfection.pdf (http://tgiag.com/Atkins%20Perfection.pdf)

regards Brian

[Don Rogers]

Jim,


Sorry to be so slow in answering -yesterday was a very busy day for me. Also upgrading my computer to Yosemite OS knocked out my printer and I had to work on that this morning.


That 4 hole handle link is the same (and only) one I found but after printing it just now, the holes do not line up - which leaves me with the handle/saw angle problem. It would be nicer to find a good picture or drawing of the original.


I agree, the Ron Brontz Regen handle looks very nice.


My printer stopped working again and I need to solve that first.
,
Thanks for your help


Don

[Don Rogers]

Brian,


Thank you for providing the links. Some I have come across in my search for a suitable handle picture and some I have not seen before. Will take a look.

As additional information, this is what I can read from the saw:

“The Atkins Saw Works
Phoenix
Patent Tempered Patent Ground


(Eagle Logo Area)


Special Steel ????? Warranted
Indianopolis, IND”

E C Atkins and Company NY
Propreitors (not sure of this word)

Any additional information you can provide will be helpful to me. My objective it to make this saw a user by making a handle for it and then resharpening it. I have never done either so there will be a learning curve for me.


Don

[Michael Ray Smith]

Don, I just sent you a PM with the email address of a friend of mine who is an Atkins collector. He might be able to help you out.

Mike

[Michael Ray Smith]

Are you sure it says "NY" after the EC Atkins and Company?

[Don Rogers]

Mike,

Not absolutely sure of that. Today it looks more like "ATKINS AND CO". After that the logo is fairly unreadable. It looks Like "Prophet???". Sorry to be so confusing. I have MD and can not see well.

Don