Crosscut Saw Thread

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G-pig

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Jul 5, 2011
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In fact, this could pertain to firewood saws in general (no chainsaws, there is plenty of discussion elsewhere on the web!). I would be glad to share what (very) little I know about crosscuts, bowsaws and bucksaws..

Some pics to get things rolling

Pile of white pine cut with a CC and double bit axe
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Plaintooth CC working on a pine (fuel also pictured... Not a coke person by the way. just had that on hand)
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I have seen a few real short disston pruning saws... Has yours been cut down or was it made that length? The ones I have seen were hardwood patterns, 2 cutters per set.
 
The two-foot crosscut saw is a Disston and Sons No. 32, made that length; it has groupings of 2 teeth separated by rakers.
 
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If you cut the ones owned by people who despised them, no hard feelings. Don't mess up the good ones though.
 
church&son said:
Old timers called them "misery whip saws". After spending time on them as a kid I understand why......Randy
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That old saying came into use probably around the time when logging camps starting cutting corners and hiring incompetent filers. A good filer would usually earn ten times what the average man in the camp earned. There was a reason for that, that good saws cut more in a day, the work could actually be enjoyed and the moral stayed high. sawing with a bad saw will certainly enlighten you to where the term came from. On the other hand, a good saw cuts almost effortlessly and surprisingly quick.
 
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G-pig said:
That old saying came into use probably around the time when logging camps starting cutting corners and hiring incompetent filers. A good filer would usually earn ten times what the average man in the camp earned. There was a reason for that, that good saws cut more in a day, the work could actually be enjoyed and the moral stayed high. sawing with a bad saw will certainly enlighten you to where the term came from. On the other hand, a good saw cuts almost effortlessly and surprisingly quick.
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Exactly this! A well-sharpened saw is a joy to use...a dull one is backbreaking misery. :D Saw sharpening is a fine art form I'm only just dipping my toe in, and it's no small task. I'm actually surprised the camp filer wasn't payed MORE! :eek::p
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
Exactly this! A well-sharpened saw is a joy to use...a dull one is backbreaking misery. :D Saw sharpening is a fine art form I'm only just dipping my toe in, and it's no small task. I'm actually surprised the camp filer wasn't payed MORE! :eek::p
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I spent about 6 hours filing a Disston-Keystone 141 felling saw, that saw will cut a 26" pine in about 2 minutes at a lazy pace. If you hauled you could probably get it darn near a minute.
 
Just yankin your strings guys, I'd never cut up a good old saw, just beaters. ;-))

Best regards

Robin
 
G-pig said:
I spent about 6 hours filing a Disston-Keystone 141 felling saw, that saw will cut a 26" pine in about 2 minutes at a lazy pace. If you hauled you could probably get it darn near a minute.
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Now that's a beautiful thing right there. :cool::thumbup: I have an old saw vice, but I mostly use it while modifying machetes. Same thickness of stock in many cases. :D

Pipeman said:
Just yankin your strings guys, I'd never cut up a good old saw, just beaters. ;-))

Best regards

Robin
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Thank goodness! Too few good ones left for that anyhow. :D
 
Awesome thread. When I first saw it, I said what the hell, but now reading this, this is some great info. I have seen many of these specimens at flea markets, and can say I don't know anything about these. The one in the picture looks like a beast, a child eater. Though my old workhorse Stihl out in the garage is saying to me right now "Don't you get any ideas"................
 
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