Good Info On Handsaws

[crokett]

I have a backsaw that has a 26" or so inch blade. I got curious as to if it is filed for rip or cross cut and found this:

http://www.vintagesaws.com/library/primer/sharp.html

It is cross-cut but I may get it refiled for rip.

[cabinetman]

I have a backsaw that has a 26" or so inch blade. I got curious as to if it is filed for rip or cross cut and found this:

http://www.vintagesaws.com/library/primer/sharp.html

It is cross-cut but I may get it refiled for rip.

Pretty complete coverage on that site. Thanks for posting. Does your "backsaw" have a stiffening ridge along the top edge? For a backsaw to be 26" or so, is pretty long. Most are for precise work, like miters, tenons, and dovetails.
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[pelligrini]

Yea, a backsaw would make ripping difficult.

Good info on that site, thanks for the heads up.

[crokett]

It does have a stiffening ridge. I am not sure why it is that large, could have come from a big miter box. It is an old Monkey Wards. Including the ridge the blade is 6" tall. I also have a smaller one that is very dull that needs sharpening. I have a Disston that is filed for cross cut. Maybe I will get it filed for rip instead and keep the backsaw as a crosscut saw. The little guy could be used for tenons.

[pelligrini]

I'd bet a big miter box for the backsaw too.

Most of my handsaws now are japanese pull saws. I like the smaller kerf and pulling a saw through wood seems like a more efficient cutting method then pushing.

[BrazosJake]

Yea, a backsaw would make ripping difficult.

Good info on that site, thanks for the heads up.

Tennon and Dovetail saws are filed rip.

At 26" and crosscut, that is almost certainly an old mitre saw.