New Closed Handle Design.

[Stewie Simpson]

Recently I posted a preview of the new closed handle design I have been working on.

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/18%20Pink%20Myrtle%20Open%20Handle/_DSC0042_zpsh9ijgvl6.jpg (http://s1009.photobucket.com/user/swagman001/media/18%20Pink%20Myrtle%20Open%20Handle/_DSC0042_zpsh9ijgvl6.jpg.html)

The following is a progress update; the handle wood is Tas. Pink Myrtle, and the saw plate is 14" x 2 1/2" below the hardback.

The garnet shellac finish is still in the early stages of completion.

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/closed%20handle%20pink%20myrtle%2017/_DSC0054_zpsxulfl6jr.jpg (http://s1009.photobucket.com/user/swagman001/media/closed%20handle%20pink%20myrtle%2017/_DSC0054_zpsxulfl6jr.jpg.html)

The saw plate assembly has only received a rough clean up.

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/closed%20handle%20pink%20myrtle%2017/_DSC0053_zpsin4amqxp.jpg (http://s1009.photobucket.com/user/swagman001/media/closed%20handle%20pink%20myrtle%2017/_DSC0053_zpsin4amqxp.jpg.html)

regards Stewie;

[Stewie Simpson]

Here is a reminder of the handle shape I worked from to create this new closed handle design. As you can see when you compare the 2 handles, the handle cheek needed redesigning to accommodate a bottom rail.

Stewie;

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/18%20Pink%20Myrtle%20Open%20Handle/_DSC0039_zpso3aeegic.jpg (http://s1009.photobucket.com/user/swagman001/media/18%20Pink%20Myrtle%20Open%20Handle/_DSC0039_zpso3aeegic.jpg.html)

[Frederick Skelly]

Very nice Stewie! Thanks for sharing it. (I'm going to order some of that garnet shellac. It looks so good on your saws.)
Fred

[Stewie Simpson]

Very nice Stewie! Thanks for sharing it. (I'm going to order some of that garnet shellac. It looks so good on your saws.)
Fred

Hi Fred. The Garnet Shellac I am using is 3 years old and still mixes up well. I also purchased some Blonde Shellac at the same time and it went off inside 2yrs. I store the opened bags of shellac flakes in sealed containers, well out of direct light, in an old refrigerator in my workshop. (power turned off)
https://www.toolsforworkingwood.com/store/dept/TFS/item/MS-BTSHEL.XX

Stewie;

[lowell holmes]

I really like the new handle.

You do your design by old time drafting. I'm impressed.

[Prashun Patel]

wow. that's really inspiring work. So graceful.

[Patrick McCarthy]

Stewie, very graceful. I really enjoy your postings, but they are way above my level of competence.

[Stewie Simpson]

Stewie, very graceful. I really enjoy your postings, but they are way above my level of competence.

but they are way above my level of competence.

Hi Patrick. I would have said the same thing 3 yrs ago when I 1st started making backsaws.

regards Stewie

[Stewie Simpson]

wow. that's really inspiring work. So graceful.

Thanks Prashun.

[Stewie Simpson]

I really like the new handle.

You do your design by old time drafting. I'm impressed.

Thanks lowell.

[Niels Cosman]

Dang Stewie! That is drop dead gorgeous!
That lamb's tongue is bonkers, well done!

[Matt Bainton]

Stewie, I've just started actively posting on SMC, but have watched your backsaw builds for a while. You design some excellent pieces, with a terrific degree of designed beauty and function. I'd like to try a saw project next year after I've got more experience, and I know I'll be studying yours closely at that time.

[Aaron Conway]

Absolutely stunning.

Aaron

[Dave Beauchesne]

Another outstanding execution Stewie!

How is the Pink Myrtle to deal with? It looks so nice and crisp when you are done with it.

Dave B

[Stewie Simpson]

Stewie, I've just started actively posting on SMC, but have watched your backsaw builds for a while. You design some excellent pieces, with a terrific degree of designed beauty and function. I'd like to try a saw project next year after I've got more experience, and I know I'll be studying yours closely at that time.

Hi Matt. I look forward to viewing your own work next year.

regards Stewie;

[Stewie Simpson]

Absolutely stunning.

Aaron

Thanks Aaron.

[Stewie Simpson]

Another outstanding execution Stewie!

How is the Pink Myrtle to deal with? It looks so nice and crisp when you are done with it.

Dave B

Hi Dave. Tasmanian Myrtle is a wonderful timber to work with.

[Stewie Simpson]

Dang Stewie! That is drop dead gorgeous!
That lamb's tongue is bonkers, well done!

Thanks Niels. The traditional shaping of the lambs tongue takes a fair amount of practice to get it visually correct.

I am not overly keen on some of the modern interpretations floating around that deviate away from its traditional appearance.

regards Stewie;

[Niels Cosman]

Yup, it's a trick (that you have got pegged)!
Here's a Disstant (<pun) cousin to your saw. A ~1840-50's Disston 12 inch carcase saw.

These are some of my favorite closed backsaw handles. Through the 1850's even when they lost the lamb's tough the handles were bold and but very graceful. After ~1860 Disston backsaw handles get pretty clunky for my tastes.

324302

[Dave Parkis]

Beautiful as always. I love the new handle design. What do you do with all of these beautiful saws you make?

[Stewie Simpson]

Beautiful as always. I love the new handle design. What do you do with all of these beautiful saws you make?

Hi Dave. A member of this forum recently received one of my saws.

[John Kananis]

Not only beautiful but also elegant.

[Stewie Simpson]

Not only beautiful but also elegant.

Thanks John.

[Stewie Simpson]

The following photo's give you a better insight into the evolving shape of this saw handle.

Stewie;

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/closed%20handle%20pink%20myrtle%2017/_DSC0051_zpskenyyoia.jpg (http://s1009.photobucket.com/user/swagman001/media/closed%20handle%20pink%20myrtle%2017/_DSC0051_zpskenyyoia.jpg.html)

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/closed%20handle%20pink%20myrtle%2017/_DSC0052_zps6yqyizue.jpg (http://s1009.photobucket.com/user/swagman001/media/closed%20handle%20pink%20myrtle%2017/_DSC0052_zps6yqyizue.jpg.html)
http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/closed%20handle%20pink%20myrtle%2017/_DSC0054_zpsxulfl6jr.jpg (http://s1009.photobucket.com/user/swagman001/media/closed%20handle%20pink%20myrtle%2017/_DSC0054_zpsxulfl6jr.jpg.html)

[Frederick Skelly]

Good stuff Stewie. Keep 'em coming!

Id be interested to see any more detailed pics of carving that lamb's tongue too.

Fred

[Stewie Simpson]

The following highlight different approaches to the lambs tongue connection.

by Isaac Smith
http://www.blackburntools.com/new-tools/new-saws-and-related/14-sash/gallery-cherry-crotch/index.html

by Ron Bontz.
http://www.bontzsawworks.net/home/12-closed-carcass/

by Two Lawyers Toolworks.
http://two-lawyers-toolworks.blogspot.com.au/2010/08/schultersage-tenon-saw.html?option=com_fireboard&Itemid=58

[Joe Beaulieu]

Hey Stewie,

I am pretty new here and don't know a lot about saw design. Your design I'd very elegant, and your execution shows you have been around a set of chisels for quite a while. Simply gorgeous work.

I ordered a Bad Axe Roubo Beastmaster backsaw a couple of days ago with Cocobolo handle made to fit my very large hand. My hand measures 4.75 inches at the broadest part. I am excited about this new saw! I apologize for being clueless, but are you building these to sell?

Thanks Stewie, very impressive work!

Joe

[Stewie Simpson]

Hi Joe. I dont openly advertise that my work is for sale.

All the best with the Bad Axe Roubo Beastmaster backsaw.

4.75 inch is a very large hand size .

Stewie;

[lowell holmes]

[QUOTE=Stewie Simpson;2485100]Hi Joe. I dont openly advertise that my work is for sale.

Why not?

[Joe Bailey]

Your craftsmanship speaks for itself.
You have an innate sense of scale and proportion which cannot be taught.

[Pat Barry]

This is one sweet saw. The handle is gorgeous. Love the attention to detail and the efforts spent to finish it. Now a question, do you you that disk sander for some of the rough shaping and squaring up?

[Kees Heiden]

Thanks Niels. The traditional shaping of the lambs tongue takes a fair amount of practice to get it visually correct.

I am not overly keen on some of the modern interpretations floating around that deviate away from its traditional appearance.

regards Stewie;

That's a keen observation. I was looking at this image from one of the kenyon saws and you see a similar interface between cheeck and tongue.

324345

In contrast with the very elegant tongue from Klaus and Pedder. It's touching almost by accident. Clearly very different.

324346

[george wilson]

A disc sander is not of much use for making saw handles. Only a very limited number of operations can be done with it on these highly curved surfaces. It could be used for finishing off the flat surfaces in order to sharpen up where the rounded over surfaces meet the flat faces. But,a side stroke belt type sander would be of more use as it does not leave swirly scratch lines.

[Stewie Simpson]

Your craftsmanship speaks for itself.
You have an innate sense of scale and proportion which cannot be taught.

Hi Joe. Thats is my preferred approach.

regards Stewie;

[Stewie Simpson]

This is one sweet saw. The handle is gorgeous. Love the attention to detail and the efforts spent to finish it. Now a question, do you you that disk sander for some of the rough shaping and squaring up?

Thanks Pat. The disc sander serves no role in shaping my saw handles.

regards Stewie;

[Dave Parkis]

Hi Dave. A member of this forum recently received one of my saws.


That is one lucky member!!

[Pat Barry]

A disc sander is not of much use for making saw handles. Only a very limited number of operations can be done with it on these highly curved surfaces. It could be used for finishing off the flat surfaces in order to sharpen up where the rounded over surfaces meet the flat faces. But,a side stroke belt type sander would be of more use as it does not leave swirly scratch lines.
Yeah, I really didn't think it would be of much use but thought it might serve some purpose for helping to square up the outside curves to the faces.

[Stewie Simpson]

The brass back has been hand shaped; stamped; and secured to the saw plate;

The handle has received its final coat of garnet shellac; and will be left for 5 days to allow the finish to harden up before receiving a final buff.

Next on the list is to file and set the saw teeth; 12 tpi; 8* rake angle.

Stewie;

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/closed%20handle%20pink%20myrtle%2017/_DSC0056_zpsn7ogmk8h.jpg (http://s1009.photobucket.com/user/swagman001/media/closed%20handle%20pink%20myrtle%2017/_DSC0056_zpsn7ogmk8h.jpg.html)

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/closed%20handle%20pink%20myrtle%2017/_DSC0055_zpsbh7jdyea.jpg (http://s1009.photobucket.com/user/swagman001/media/closed%20handle%20pink%20myrtle%2017/_DSC0055_zpsbh7jdyea.jpg.html)

[Stewie Simpson]

Where the back of the saw plate angles away from the heel of the hardback, a small area of saw plate is normally formed. When mated within the handle mortise this small area of saw plate can cause the hardback to twist slightly as its pushed into the back of the mortise housing. This condition generally causes the toothline to twist out of alignment when mated to the handle. My personal preference is to remove that small area of extended saw plate down to the bottom line of the hardback.

# The above mentioned is based on the assumption the mortise and saw plate slot have already been checked for proper alignment.

Stewie;

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/closed%20handle%20pink%20myrtle%2017/_DSC0058_zpslouskojv.jpg (http://s1009.photobucket.com/user/swagman001/media/closed%20handle%20pink%20myrtle%2017/_DSC0058_zpslouskojv.jpg.html)

[Klaus Kretschmar]

The following highlight different approaches to the lambs tongue connection.

by Two Lawyers Toolworks.
http://two-lawyers-toolworks.blogspot.com.au/2010/08/schultersage-tenon-saw.html?option=com_fireboard&Itemid=58

Hi Stewie,

the link you provided shows a handle that was made in 2009. It actually was the very first handle with a lambs tongue, we've ever made. Things are changing. The shape of our sash saw handles did as well. To make it clear, here a pic that shows the former design (Cocobolo) compared to the newer shape (Ebony).

324538

A closer view of the lambs tongue.

324539

Klaus

[Chuck Hart]

Stewie are you ever going to sell these magnificent saws or are you just teasing us all with your craftsmanship?

[Kees Heiden]

That's in fact a great design change Klaus. I like the newer model better. The top horn also looks more refined.

I'm so stupid in looking at design things. It really needs someone to point out these details for me. On my own I rarely see it.

[Stewie Simpson]

Stewie are you ever going to sell these magnificent saws or are you just teasing us all with your craftsmanship?

Hi Chuck. I do sell my saw making work. I just dont deem it a high priority to chase sales.

regards Stewie;

[Frederick Skelly]

Looks great Stewie. We love your work!

I've lost count - how many more are you going to make before you stop and move on to something else? ( I remember there was a target number.) Also, if one wanted to purchase a saw, should they just PM you to discuss it?

[Stewie Simpson]

Hi Fred. A pm is the best approach. After this one, there will be 16 more backsaw builds. My next backsaw is being made to suit a clients request.

regards Stewie;

[Stewie Simpson]

Looks great Stewie. We love your work!

I've lost count - how many more are you going to make before you stop and move on to something else? ( I remember there was a target number.) Also, if one wanted to purchase a saw, should they just PM you to discuss it?

Hi Fred. After this backsaw; 16 is the remaining target.

Contact via pm is the best approach.

regards Stewie;

[Stewie Simpson]

The saw teeth have been filed by hand and set. I will give the saw a test run tomorrow on both crosscut and end grain.

Stewie;

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/closed%20handle%20pink%20myrtle%2017/_DSC0060_zpswyesh9un.jpg (http://s1009.photobucket.com/user/swagman001/media/closed%20handle%20pink%20myrtle%2017/_DSC0060_zpswyesh9un.jpg.html)

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/closed%20handle%20pink%20myrtle%2017/_DSC0061_zpshhcqcmmo.jpg (http://s1009.photobucket.com/user/swagman001/media/closed%20handle%20pink%20myrtle%2017/_DSC0061_zpshhcqcmmo.jpg.html)

[Stewie Simpson]

A bit of a tip for those wanting to make their own backsaws. Don't bother checking the tooth line for straightness until after the saw plate has been toothed. Especially if the saw plate has been stored recently in coiled form. What may appear as a slight misalignment along its length will disappear 9 times out of 10 after the saw teeth have been filed. Its also a good idea to lightly joint the top edge and end cuts of the saw plate with a flat file before locking the slotted back into position.

Stewie;

[Pat Barry]

A bit of a tip for those wanting to make their own backsaws. Don't bother checking the tooth line for straightness until after the saw plate has been toothed. Especially if the saw plate has been stored recently in coiled form. What may appear as a slight misalignment along its length will disappear 9 times out of 10 after the saw teeth have been filed. Its also a good idea to lightly joint the top edge and end cuts of the saw plate with a flat file before locking the slotted back into position.

Stewie;
Stewie, I only have experience doing some tooth touchup by hand so I'm curious - do you do the toothing completely by hand or do you have a machine that gets the basic tooth pattern (teeth per inch and angles) roughed in and then you hand finish? Reason for asking is that I just watched an episode of the Woodwrights shop and the fellow he had featured making backsaws had a nice little machine. I assumed he would then set and finish file by hand. If you do it by hand completely would you mind posting a brief primer on the steps involved? Ie: do you mark each tooth and then file a little bit at a time all the way down the line and go back over them several times to get them consistently deep and spaced?

[Stewie Simpson]

Hi Pat. All by hand.

Every tooth commences with a full stroke of the file; dykem; the process is then repeated until every tooth is at full depth with a slight flat; if catch up is required on any individual teeth do so to the back of the tooth; a consistant front of tooth rake angle is should be the primary focus; prior to the sharpening stage the teeth recieve a very light jointing; dykem; each tooth is then individually filed to a point; tooth set applied; complete test cuts to make sure the set is even on both sides of the saw plate.

#Saws recieving a resharpen should always be jointed 1st.

regards Stewie;

[Brian Holcombe]

I love seeing your work, it is absolutely divine.

[Stewie Simpson]

Both sides of the saw teeth received a light stoning to fine tune the set. Tests done using Australian Blackwood.

Stewie;

Rip grain.
http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/closed%20handle%20pink%20myrtle%2017/_DSC0062_zpspowy0sel.jpg (http://s1009.photobucket.com/user/swagman001/media/closed%20handle%20pink%20myrtle%2017/_DSC0062_zpspowy0sel.jpg.html)

Crosscut grain.
http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/closed%20handle%20pink%20myrtle%2017/_DSC0063_zpshtdvtrq2.jpg (http://s1009.photobucket.com/user/swagman001/media/closed%20handle%20pink%20myrtle%2017/_DSC0063_zpshtdvtrq2.jpg.html)

[Stewie Simpson]

I love seeing your work, it is absolutely divine.

Thanks Brian; there have been many times I have questioned the madness in making these backsaws.

Stewie;

[Stewie Simpson]

This backsaw build is now completed.

Stewie;

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/closed%20handle%20pink%20myrtle%2017/_DSC0064_zps1jpetnmz.jpg (http://s1009.photobucket.com/user/swagman001/media/closed%20handle%20pink%20myrtle%2017/_DSC0064_zps1jpetnmz.jpg.html)

[Stewie Simpson]

Hi all. As someone who has battled with severe depression over the last 10 yrs , I have become acutely aware of the warning signs.

As such. I am going to trial a 3 month break from making backsaws. My apologies if this causes any inconvenience.

regards Stewie;

[ken hatch]

Hi all. As someone who has battled with severe depression over the last 10 yrs , I have become acutely aware of the warning signs.

As such. I am going to trial a 3 month break from making backsaws. My apologies if this causes any inconvenience.

regards Stewie;

Stewie,

My ex-wife a wonderful and accomplished woman was destroyed by severe depression. Please take care. I hope for the best.

ken

[Stewie Simpson]

Thanks Ken. Appreciate your thoughts.

regards Stewie;

[Pat Barry]

Take care Stewie, your work is superb but it will be there when you feel better too.

[Kees Heiden]

Good luck Stewie.

[Niels Cosman]

Hi all. As someone who has battled with severe depression over the last 10 yrs , I have become acutely aware of the warning signs.

As such. I am going to trial a 3 month break from making backsaws. My apologies if this causes any inconvenience.

regards Stewie;


A good friend of mine always said "Sometimes you have to get out, to get back in"
Sometimes when things seem the difficult it's important yourself time, space and the grace to unpack, sort and process.
Take care of yourself, Stewie!
In the meanwhile I'll be looking forward to your next great saw!

[Stewie Simpson]

Thanks Gents. Appreciate your support.

regards Stewie;

[Mark Baldwin III]

I've been mostly away from any woodworking for the better part of two years. The main reason I check back in here from time to time is to see what you're working on. Your work is incredible and I enjoy seeing it.
Take care!

[Stewie Simpson]

Hi Mark. You do have some quality backsaw makers within the USA.

regards Stewie;

[Brian Blackburn]

That is a great looking saw. If it cuts as well as it looks it should be a joy to use.