Latest backsaw handle design.

[Stewie Simpson]

Shaping work is done. Only 1 coat of garnet shellac so far. The handle wood is Walnut.

Stewie;

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/new%20handle%20design/_DSC0532_zps9pns3k3l.jpg (http://s1009.photobucket.com/user/swagman001/media/new%20handle%20design/_DSC0532_zps9pns3k3l.jpg.html)

[Stewie Simpson]

The saw plate dimensions for this backsaw handle; 14 inch; 3 1/2 inch below the spine; 10 tpi; 10 degree rake angle; no fleam; 0.025 gauge saw plate.

regards Stewie;

[Kees Heiden]

That ain't too bad Stewie! really like it, and in wallnut it looks great. There is some very nice play of shade and light in this picture.

[Stewie Simpson]

Thanks Kees.

[David Ragan]

Gorgeous.

What changes did you make in regards to the prior handle?

[Archie England]

Gorgeous....+1

[Phil Mueller]

Beautiful. I was wondering where you disappeared to since your last saw build...now we know.
By the way did you get your saw plate etching design done?

[george wilson]

Very precise and beautiful work,Stewie!! You have reached a high level of perfection now for some time.

[Stewie Simpson]

Gorgeous.

What changes did you make in regards to the prior handle?

Hi David. A totally different look is the easiest explanation.

Stewie;

[Stewie Simpson]

Beautiful. I was wondering where you disappeared to since your last saw build...now we know.
By the way did you get your saw plate etching design done?

Hi Phil. Nothing planned with a saw etch. Work on the metal stamp for the brass backs is now complete, and I expect delivery from the U.K shortly.

regards Stewie;

[Stewie Simpson]

Very precise and beautiful work,Stewie!! You have reached a high level of perfection now for some time.

Thanks George. High praise from someone that I have the greatest respect for as a craftsman.

Cheers Stewie;

[Stewie Simpson]

Gorgeous....+1

Thanks Archie.

[Dave Anderson NH]

Nice work Stewie. I'm curious about why you had to go to the UK for a stamp. The must be plenty of folks making stamps in Aussieland.

[Mark Greenbaum]

What is a Fleam - dictionary says bloodletting tool - how or what is this in regards to the back saw? Beautiful workmanship; I cannot wait to see the whole saw assembled.

[Stewie Simpson]

Nice work Stewie. I'm curious about why you had to go to the UK for a stamp. The must be plenty of folks making stamps in Aussieland.

Hi Dave. The quality of craftmanship being provided by Chalco was the primary motivator.

regards Stewie;

http://www.spanglefish.com/metalstamps/index.asp?pageid=327246

[Stewie Simpson]

[QUOTE=Mark Greenbaum;2438676]What is a Fleam - dictionary says bloodletting tool - how or what is this in regards to the back saw? Beautiful workmanship; I cannot wait to see the whole saw assembled.[/QUOTE

Hi Mark. This should help. http://www.vintagesaws.com/library/primer/sharp.html

[James Pallas]

Very nice Stewie, You really have a good eye. Our brain is interesting in the fact that it does well at making instant judgements. Nice shape, no pinch points, grip size looks good, horns to steady the grip, no sharp edges on the grip, and good looking wood with a nice smooth finish. That is not nearly all that we see just a little of it. Just like picking a comfortable chair, if two are side by side we take one look and make a choice. You have the knack for making the choice easier.
Jim

[Stewie Simpson]

Thanks Jim.

[Patrick McCarthy]

VERY nice Stewie, very nice indeed! Just looking at it makes me want to reach for it to get the tactile sensation of fondling it (in the nicest sense of the word). Beautiful work.

Best Regards, Patrick

[Rich Greinert]

Stewie, in the photo there is a notch at the very bottom of the handle. Does the plate extend that far? What is the purpose of this cut-out?
Very nice work!

[Jim Davis]

Beautiful sculpting.

Jim

[Mark Greenbaum]

[QUOTE=Mark Greenbaum;2438676]What is a Fleam - dictionary says bloodletting tool - how or what is this in regards to the back saw? Beautiful workmanship; I cannot wait to see the whole saw assembled.[/QUOTE

Hi Mark. This should help. http://www.vintagesaws.com/library/primer/sharp.html
Thanks - That's very helpful. Now I know why my grandfather's saw does not cut properly - I sharpened it wrong.

[Stewie Simpson]

Stewie, in the photo there is a notch at the very bottom of the handle. Does the plate extend that far? What is the purpose of this cut-out?
Very nice work!

Hi Rich. The notch allows the bottom rail to flex during seasoning wood movement. Without that notch there is a likelyhood the bottom rail would fracture some time in the future, most likely at a point further up along the bottom rail at or near the curvature of the lambs tongue where there is vulnerability due to a lack of long grain structural strength within that area. Hope that helps answer your question.

regards Stewie;

[Stewie Simpson]

VERY nice Stewie, very nice indeed! Just looking at it makes me want to reach for it to get the tactile sensation of fondling it (in the nicest sense of the word). Beautiful work.

Best Regards, Patrick

Thanks Patrick.

[Stewie Simpson]

Beautiful sculpting.

Jim

Thanks Jim.

[Stewie Simpson]

[QUOTE=Stewie Simpson;2438698]
Thanks - That's very helpful. Now I know why my grandfather's saw does not cut properly - I sharpened it wrong.

Hi Mark. Its good to hear that info was of some benefit to you.

Here is another source of info that is of high value on hand saw sharpening.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-_MF2Mnxwc

regards Stewie;

[Rich Greinert]

Yes, your answer to my question is very helpful. My curiosity is piqued. I will look at handle designs with a fresh eye, what I had assumed was a design choice is apparently much more. Thank you for your answer.

[Stew Denton]

Stewie,

+1 on what the others wrote! Beautiful work. I'll bet it is as functional as it is beautiful.

Stew

[Brian Holcombe]

Stewie,

Wonderful as always, I enjoy seeing your work!

[Frederick Skelly]

It looks "comfortable" Stewie. It's well-rounded and smooth and the finish makes me want to reach out and touch it. It looks like something one could hold in the hand all day long.

Can't wait to see the completed saw!
Fred

[Stewie Simpson]

Work on the saw plate assembly is now complete. The handle has received its 4th coat of garnet shellac. 2 more coats remaining. After the last coat of shellac I allow 5 days for the shellac to further harden before I work the surface down with a cutting paste, then buff to a shine with a powered mop.

Stewie;

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/new%20handle%20design/DSC_0533_zpsvpvb7iit.jpg (http://s1009.photobucket.com/user/swagman001/media/new%20handle%20design/DSC_0533_zpsvpvb7iit.jpg.html)

[george wilson]

Now,don't put it in the trash can,Stewied!!:)

[Stewie Simpson]

While I wait for the shellac on the Walnut handle to harden before buffing the surface to a shine, I am shaping another backsaw handle using Queensland Maple.

Stewie;

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/Queensland%20Maple%20Handle/DSC_0534_zpsxyrn0hig.jpg (http://s1009.photobucket.com/user/swagman001/media/Queensland%20Maple%20Handle/DSC_0534_zpsxyrn0hig.jpg.html)

[Stewie Simpson]

Hi all. Here are the photo's of the completed Walnut Handle Backsaw.

regards Stewie;

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/new%20handle%20design/DSC_0538_zpstm2bfplh.jpg (http://s1009.photobucket.com/user/swagman001/media/new%20handle%20design/DSC_0538_zpstm2bfplh.jpg.html)

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/new%20handle%20design/DSC_0539_zpszazyj6gb.jpg (http://s1009.photobucket.com/user/swagman001/media/new%20handle%20design/DSC_0539_zpszazyj6gb.jpg.html)

[Mark Almeidus]

Wonderfull saw Stewie :). Do you make it for you or you also make for selling?

[Stewie Simpson]

Hi Mark. For sale.

[Stewie Simpson]

When I use shellac on my saw handles I apply a total of 6 coats. The 1st coat is sanded back to 150g. The 2nd coat to 220g. The 3rd coat to 400g. By that stage I expect most of the grain should be filled within the wood surface. The flat faces of the handle are always sanded over a glass surface. The time delay between each coat is minimal.


The last 3 coats of shellac are to add depth over the wood surface. Each is given 24 hrs between coat. Each coat is lightly abrading with a very fine grade sanding pad before the next coat is applied. After the last coat the shellac surface is then left for 5 days to harden.

The shellac surface is then lightly rubbed back with a cut and polish paste that's hand buffed to a shine. To achieve a greater shine, the surface is buffed again using a power mop fitted to a pedestal drill. (no cut and polish paste used) This step is again repeated 30 min later. Job done.

Stewie;

[Rich Greinert]

Nice work! And thanks for posting your shellac technique.