I’ve been content with purchasing saws from Lie-Nielsen and Woodcraft, but as luck would have it, I happened into a couple of beater saws- one a Disston (a No. 12), and a unidentified panel saw. I decided to reclaim them from the ashheap of history. Little did I know what kind of a bear trap I was walking into.

With info pulled from my woodcarving books, an ancient 4-book set of Audel’s and the internet, I started working.

Stripping and polishing the blades, jointing and sharpening teeth, gluing the handles back together so I could trace and duplicate them in walnut, polishing or replacing handle bolts and nuts… I used almost all the skills I have gained in the past as a riflemaker and woodcarver in restoring them. It was a nightmare working in a vaccuum.

But I learned. I taught myself along the way. I threw things down in frustration. I made mistakes and corrected them- the payoff was worth it: Two beautiful old saws that can and will be put back into use in my shop.

I’m not a professional restorer, or even a pro woodwright- my knowledge is almost all self-taught (modest means prevent me from attending many schools- to date, I have attended exactly one), but I see in your writings and efforts the same spark and drive, the same thirst for knowledge and the desire to create… I’m glad that the Saw Making classes were offered, and I bet attendance was at capacity. The skills gained there will likely transfer easily to restoration work, I wager.

Hopefully, I’ll haunt these pages more frequently and be able to obtain more than a couple of the kit saws to flesh out my tool wall (especially that halfback!). Tools either saved or made by the craftsman mean more than store-bought ones- and sometimes the attention to detail, fit and finish rival or surpass factory made tools.

Lastly, I have to say: Well done, Mike! I wish you a belated Merry Christmas and Happy New Year- may next year bring you luck and fortune.

Wild Bill