Info about Spear & Jackson saw

[Rob Blaustein]

I was wondering if anyone might be able to provide some info about a saw that was left to us by the previous owners of our house. It's a Spear & Jackson and it says "Spearior" on the logo with the number 82 above the 'Spear & Jackson' part of the logo. It's 25 3/4" long (measured at the teeth) and 6 3/4" wide at the handle (which is wood). It looks to have 7 teeth per inch. It's got a bit of rust but overall looks in reasonable shape with no missing teeth. I'm a real novice when it comes to hand tools, so I can't really even tell if it is still sharp. I had to cut a piece of a fallen tree and it was all I had so I used it but it was pretty rough going. Not sure if that means it is dull or maybe it's not made to crosscut like that. Of course it could also be that I don't know how to use a handsaw. Incidentally, how do you tell if a saw is a crosscut or rip saw? I tried searching here and on google for info about the saw and didn't find all that much.

It might be nice to have it sharpened. Any suggestions as to sharperning services? Does someone like Mike Wenzloff sharpen saws from other companies?
--Rob

[jonathan snyder]

Hi Rob,

Sorry, I don't know much about Spear & Jackson. I'm not the most experienced hand saw user, but I'm learning! I'll take a stab at your question. Teeth on rip saws are filed straight across, crosscut teeth are filed at an angle. This site has some good info on saw basics. http://www.norsewoodsmith.com/ww/sawbasics/sawbasics.htm

You might consider Steve Cooke for sharpening. I have a Disston D-8 that I bought from Steve, he did a nice job sharpening it. http://www.cookessharpening.com/

Hope this helps
Jonathan

[Charles McKinley]

Hi Rob,

The saw is dull. If the teeth aren't shiney the rust has it dull. The saw is pretty fine toothed for cutting wet thick stuff too.

http://www.vintagesaws.com/cgi-bin/frameset.cgi?left=main&right=/library/library.html
is a link to Vintage saws library. Read the "What's is in a Name" and "Saw Sharpening Primer" articles if nothing else. They will answer your questions about what type of saw it is.


The sharpening article is recommended by several here in previous threads. I would look locally first if you can. I believe Mike will sharpen others saws. The other place highl recommended is Cooke's in York, PA. 3331 W Market St, York, 17404 - (717) 793-9527

If the teeth aren't too bad at least try it yourself, heck even I can do it. If it needs teeth reshaped send it out. Even top of the line saws will need touched up several times before they need sent out. I really HATED hand saws before I used a sharp one.

Sorry I don't have any specific info to your saw. Get it sharpened up and enjoy it.

[Mike K Wenzloff]

Hi Rob,

S&J is still in business. A brief timeline is on their web site:
http://www.spear-and-jackson.com/Aboutus/index.cfm

What isn't there is a little fun fact--well, I think it is--and that is Joseph Buck, the grandfather of the family which would produce who we know as the Buck Brothers [makers of great edge tools in the US], was the plant manager for S&J in the mid 1700s. His son, also Joseph, works in Sheffield though for several edge tool makers. Later, after Charles and John Buck were born, the family immigrates to the US. They in turn work for DR Barton before starting Buck Brothers.

Take care, Mike

[Rob Blaustein]

Thanks for the replies--I'll check out those sites.
Rob