A couple of Gents

[Ron Bontz]

Started making Gent saws recently. SO I decided to post a couple to see what folks think. The worst folks can do is throw something at the computer. :):)
First is a birds eye maple. 10" x 0.015" plate at 16ppi. 2nd is a more basic cherry edition with an 0.020" plate at 18ppi. 3rd is an infused curly maple handle with a 0.016" plate at 18ppi. And that's that. Thoughts always welcome as usual.
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[Steve Russell tucker]

Sir I just wanted to say after hearing so many great things about you and finally seeing your work up close, those are some of, if not THE most beautiful saws I have ever seen they just flow so very well together !! thank you for showing them off they really are incredible

[Matt Knights]

Now that's what I call a gents saw! Beautiful as usual Ron.

Matt

[Phil Mueller]

After seeing these, nothing has been thrown at my computer. There is, however, a bit of drool on my keyboard...thanks a lot!

[Chris Hachet]

I may end up ordering one. I was going to buy a panel saw when you started building those, but I found a used Diston on the cheap that is doing everything in the shop I need.

I would like the option of a simpler handle. Although I certainly would not kick that handle out of the saw till...

[Matthew N. Masail]

All beautiful but I really like the cherry one in the middle, I love the engraving in the handle and back - expect a future order ;) I don't have a fine tooth gents

[george wilson]

Ron,I like saw #3 the best,except I advise eliminating the large band of 3 humps in the handle. they are too big. One hump would be better proportioned. I like the other 2 saws as well,except for cutting off the end of the back like that,and the handle humps.

You must have gotten some kind of a roll made,to neatly roll your brand into the brass backs,and around the handle(which I think is an elegant touch! Would you mind posting a picture of it? And,by what means do you apply enough pressure to roll it into the brass? I have some beautiful knurls about 1/2" wide. Antique French ones. Must have been for gold and silver only,as it is impossible to use them in the lathe. I rigged up a holder that attaches to the overhead arm of my horizontal mill. I can run bronze or brass under it with enough pressure to make them work. But only on flat strips so far. The way gun makers roll their barrels.

[Ron Bontz]

Hi George. The saws have already been modified to some extent eliminating the three beads to some extent. Looked good on paper/ CAD, as they say. These are the first few, trying to decide what I like or don't like. You know me. Non traditional. :) The logo on the brass as well as on my saw plates are a chemical etch I do myself, the brass is darkened with "brass black" Phosphoric acid, I believe. I tried the stamp method and did not like it as well. At some point I am hoping to apply a knurl to some of the ferrules. The handles are laser engraved as I will be using those for other things, so no back logo. Just on the handle. As always, all things a work in progress. Thanks for the feed back.

[James Pallas]

Good looking saws. The custom touches are very nicely done.
jim

[george wilson]

Laser engraved??? You are too high tech for me!!:)

[Frederick Skelly]

Beautiful work, as always Ron. I like the way you've shaped the middle saw best, but the handle of the third saw best. (Really like the sheen on the infused curly maple.)

Fred

[Ron Bontz]

Beautiful work, as always Ron. I like the way you've shaped the middle saw best, but the handle of the third saw best. (Really like the sheen on the infused curly maple.)

Fred

Thanks for the thoughts. The infusion process is something I am starting to do myself as well. Anything that will gain strength from the resin infusion. Especially figured woods that are hard to turn without tear out. So many irons in the fire, so much to learn, so little time. I may not make it to first place in the end, but what a interesting ride. :)

[Dave Jeske]

Looking mighty fine Ron!

[Ron Bontz]

Beautiful work, as always Ron. I like the way you've shaped the middle saw best, but the handle of the third saw best. (Really like the sheen on the infused curly maple.)

Fred

The middle saw is the most basic of the saws. I do like the acrylic resin, myself. It finishes very well. I first tried it a few years ago, then a year ago I tried to have resin infused handles made but it didn't work out. So I decided to start infusing my own. However it does tend to warp the wood:( Coming soon to a theater near you. :) Resin infused Honduran Mahogany. I'll post the results. I hope to infuse most of the figured woods in the future as it turns much better with less tear out. Needless to say it is also much tougher as well. Thanks again to all for the feed back. I do pay attn. to it. :)

[Stewie Simpson]

Coming soon to a theater near you. :) Resin infused Honduran Mahogany.

Ron. You will have to excuse my line of question; I really don't understand why you would be selecting a handle wood as soft as Honduran Mahogany (Honduras Mahogany, American Mahogany, Genuine Mahogany, Big-Leaf Mahogany, Brazilian Mahogany) . Let alone fussing with resin infusing to increase its outer surface hardness.

Stewie;

http://tinytimbers.com/pdf/chart_janka.pdf

[Alfred Kraemer]

Ron,

Here are my 2 cents:
- agree with earlier comments about the handle, adding that to me the thickest part of the handle should be the very end. Just feels more comfortable to me.
- I wonder about the strength of the back where it has been reduced to fit into the handle. Maybe the back is wide enough to make it ok.

One other comment about choices: I prefer a dovetail saw that is a little coarser, 12 to 10 tpi. Harder to start but faster, faster to sharpen, too.

Thank you for the pics and the good work.

Alfred

[Ron Bontz]

Hi Alfred. The spine/ tangs are a solid 3/8" tall by 1/4" thick and extend 2" into the handle. The ferrules are 1/16th" thick between the beads, 360 brass. I currently have one I made for myself that is 12" x 2.5" under spine x 0.020" plate. Filed 14ppi x 10* rake and 15* fleam. Sort of a Gents carcass saw with a combination filing. The plates are pinned at the toe to keep the plate always in tension during the cut. So time will tell.
I do know someone that has you beat:) He bought a half back saw at 9ppi to cut dovetails with. So he said anyway. :eek: