W B Belknap handsaw value

[Bill Bukovec]

I was in an antique store today and saw this saw. The medallion had W P Belknap , Bluegrass. The handle is broken and the blade is very rusty. Does the medallion help date the saw?

Is it worth anything?

The price tag fell off, so I don't know the price. I might offer $10.00 just to rescue it. But then, I already have 8 or 9 saws on my rescue pile.

[Stew Denton]

Bill,

That is not one I would rescue. To restore that one would be a LOT of work, and the final results may still be none to good when you start with a saw that bad. If you are going to restore one (I have a few waiting for their turn to be restored too), there are better choices than that one, as you know. I doubt it is a collectors item, but I wouldn't know since I don't collect saws. From past posts, and my own reading, I think that there are a lot of Belknap tools around.

I have gotten to the point that if I want to buy something to restore, I am very picky and look it over very carefully. If it looks like quite a bit of work, I pass. There are too many tools around that require a lot less work to restore, and sometimes for the same or sometimes even less money.

If you decide to rescue it, since the condition is so bad, I would offer the guy a buck or at the outside most two, certainly not $10. Tell the seller you are thinking about restoring it, and as much work as it would be, ask if he would give you two bucks to take it.

Stew

[Pete Taran]

+1 to Stew's recommendation. I've thrown away saws in better condition than that.

[Bill Bukovec]

Thanks. I will pass on this one.