I am looking to buy my first handsaws.I know absolutely nothing about handsaws. I will be purchasing a crosscut and a ripsaw. What is a good brand name. It can be new or used, I have learned that you get what you pay for. Just need a good set of saws to start with until I learn more and how to use them properly. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

Dan

Vintage saws are a good choice if you are willing to learn to sharpen them. Otherwise, it comes down to how much money you are willing to spend. A premium saw can cost big bucks.

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Adam Welker
Red Car Construction and Fine Woodworking

Not afraid to sharpen anything. I am a machinist so I think I can learn how. What brands should I look for?

Dan

May I ask what type of cuts you plan to make? If you are planning on doing dovetails you might want to investigate the possibility of a Japanese pull saw. I think you get more control using this type of saw, in that application.

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Lew Kauffman-
Wood Turners Forum Host

Time traveler. Purveyor of the world's finest custom rolling pins!

Nothing wrong with a Vintage Disston  Hand saw.     All of these  were just $2 each.   I just cleaned them up.    The one has a new Sycamore handle.    Most "Rusties" can be had aFlea Markets, Antique stores, and even a yard sale, for under $5.    Just clean the metal up, maybe repair a wood tote, or just a re-finish.    Most will also have a "ppi" or tpi stamped on the blade near the handle.  A number 8 or lower is a rip blade,   From about 11 tpi is a crosscut.  

Most of the older saws will have a "medallion" on the handle, showing a makers name.   Some will also have an "etch" in the saw blade, showing the maker as well.   I even have a saw with two of them, only because I was the maker... Handle was a "Made in China"  STEIGO,   the blade was a Disston 20" crosscut saw.    Didn't like the "New" Disston handle (too boxy, not comfortable) but like the handle on the STEIGO.    Threw away the cheap  china blade, too flimsy.    Now have a nice, easy on the hand, 20" "panel " saw. 

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'and may the road raise up to meet ye'

I agree with Steve. Old Disstons are everywhere and cheap.

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Adam Welker
Red Car Construction and Fine Woodworking

Old Disstons are good. I have a couple of vintage Atkins and they are quality saws as well.

If you are looking to buy new, Bad Axe Toolworks makes some of the best back saws and he also sells refurbished hand saws. You should check out the web site.

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Adam Welker
Red Car Construction and Fine Woodworking

Sorry I have not replied to all your posts. I was doing a BBQ Competition with some friends Thursday and Friday and trying to catch up on yard work today. I already have a dovetail saw. I am looking for a crosscut and a ripsaw. I found an old saw in my shed I didn't even know I had. It is a CE Jennings #8. Is this a good saw worth restoring? 

Thanks

Dan

all (and I mean all) of the newer saws that are also high quality saws are  unbelievably expensive. The rest of modern saws are essentially disposable trash.  There is no middle ground that I know of.

This leaves older vintage saws.  Which, in spite of the patina of age, tend to be really good saws.  you will need a saw set which you can get in various places including http://www.toolsforworkingwood.com/ and some saw files which you can get there and elsewhere too.    You;ll learn how to flatten the teeth to get them all at the same height and then to re-point and sharpen 'em  installing the fleam for a crosscut and the chisel points for a rip saw.

Nothing an old school  machinist or graduate of a decent apprenticeship can't master easily.

I did a little "Rust Hunting" today, and found two $1 handsaws.    Both seem to be in the 10tpi range.    Might be a little while before they are ready, though...The cracked tote isn't too bad, I can fix that.    The hardware will be the hard part.     Cleaning the plates aren't a bad job, just messy, and very dirty work.    I need to wear OLD CLOTHES doing these sorts of things.   USED to have a sawvise by Disston, until I sold it for lack of work.     I can rebuild the Back Porch Saw Vise in about.....10 minutes.  I have about a dozen or so saw files of different sizes.    Should be a couple there I can use.  A look at the other side of this "coin"?Black handled one IS a 10ppi as it is stamped as such down by the handle.    Not sure about "Blondie", know more as I clean it up.   Both will get a sharpening, as well.   Should be fun...

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'and may the road raise up to meet ye'

Bought two old Disston handsaws this weekend for $5 total. Pretty rusty. cleaned them up some. One is a D23 8tpi, can't remember what the other was off hand but it was made by Disston also.