Until you've worked with a properly sharpened  high quality handsaw - you'll wonder what the fuss is about. Suddenly dovetails become easy to cut when you can saw to that line.

In this class you'll both build a handsaw and learn the art of using a handsaw.

On the first day (or so) of this two day class you'll get to build and sharpen a high-end  handsaw customized to your hand. We'll be offering you a choice from a small joinery saw through a tenon saw to a panel saw and you get to choose the saw tooth profile.

You'll make and finish the saw handle from Black Walnut or Swiss Pear (we had hoped to offer European Beech but it is unobtainable at the moment).

The saw kits are:

You'll need to bring:

• You will need a  vintage saw vise in good working order or a new saw vise from Tools for Working Wood.
  
• You will also need a Nicholson #50 rasp and a smooth or bastard-cut 8" half-round file (most woodworking stores stock the #50s). Most hardware stores such as Ace Hardware will have a Nicholson 8" half-round file at a good price. Alternative French hand-cut rasps from The Best Things will provide a smoother finish at the rasping stage. If purchasing the TBT French rasps, we recommend:  6-200-10-AU ($84.95) and 6-200-14-AU ($89.95). Not cheap but unbelievably good rasps. We'll have a supply of rasps and files on hand for the shaping of the handles if you choose not to purchase the rasp and file.
  
• For sharpening, especially for kits with smaller teeth, we recommend a pair of inexpensive reading glasses available at most drug stores. Mike uses a pair with 3 diopter strength.

Learning to Saw

On the second day  Mike will teach you to use use the saws. You'll get to use your saw and learn how the other types of saws compare.

Mike's initial thoughts:

"Using hand saws. It depends on the scope of what is taught. Because sawing can be seen as preparatory to other hand work, some preliminary sawing exercises combined with actual real-world work can be done. For instance, we have often used pre-made mortises for attendees to make one or more attempts at sawing tenons that fit well right off the saw. The good news is that the rasps and files we recommend are great for fitting tenons...
 
Other exercises are ripping to lines for joinery through the thickness of boards, sawing shoulder lines--need bench hooks for this so they can also perhaps make a bench hook to take away? Ripping to width on boards, cross cutting for rough breaking down of boards all the way through near finished cuts can be demonstrated and practiced.
 
The different types of cuts can be discussed and explored (think Wearing's definitions). This can be exemplified with showing the effects of coarser toothings. Unfortunately, for this to be fully exercised chisels are used for the first-class cuts on shoulders. I'll throw some more thoughts on paper later."

Mike's Documents on Saws:

• Saw Recommendations
• Saw Filing Notes

Class size               12
Cost                        $290
Materials Charge:  See above

Registration for July Class closes on 6/24. Still some open spaces.