I've been asked to head up a missions project acquiring some hand tools for a school in Africa.  One of the tools requested was a "leeping" saw.  Anyone have a clue what it is?

---

Ron Dudelston
Above and Beyond WoodWorks

I think it is like a gentlemans saw only the eleven lords a leeping used this kind.

---

John Moody
John Moody Woodworks
http://www.johnmoodywoodworks.com

Ugh, bad. Back to the shower with you John

---

Ron Dudelston
Above and Beyond WoodWorks

Ron, could this be a regional name?

---

John Morris
The Patriot Woodworker

Might be John but they are emphatic about receiving one.  The spelling might be a leaping saw.

---

Ron Dudelston
Above and Beyond WoodWorks

The only thing that I could find online was a "Leap Frog" saw. This is a specific brand name of a type of brass back tenon/dovetail saw. Moody was also correct about being a "Gentleman's Saw" as I came across a number of the same type of saws being called this. But Moody was not correct about "Leaping Lords" as there is no mention of any "Lords" leaping or otherwise.

Here is a link for some that I found. Scroll down the page about 1/4 of the way down.

http://ckdboats.blogspot.com/2010_03_24_archive.html

Here is a photo as well:

---

Allen Worsham
Corona, CA

allenworsham@earthlink.net

http://www.awcreationsandwoodcrafts.com

'Graze in every man's field, but always give your own milk' J. Vernon McGee

I have an old classmate that is a missionary in Africa.  I see if he can get an idea from the locals he ministers to.

This is one of those cases where Google was useless.  Greg, I'm curious to see what you find out.

---

Ron Dudelston
Above and Beyond WoodWorks

  Around here, we have a saw called a Loping Saw.   BIG, UGLY teeth.   Usually on a pole like thingy.    Used for cutting tree limbs off.  Kind of has a hook to it as well.     Search?   Under Pruning saws.

---

'and may the road raise up to meet ye'

Its not a loping saw Steve.  The request came from a pastor that teaches woodworking in Malawi and according to Ward Turner (another site member and a man who has been to Malawi twice) the saw's funtion is similar to a coping saw but when Ward showed him a coping saw it wasn't the same thing.

---

Ron Dudelston
Above and Beyond WoodWorks

   Then maybe, a good old Bowsaw?   Depending on which blade you hook in it, it can rip, cross-cut, or scroll saw.   I remember seeing a carpenter's  shop wall one time,  he had about 15 different bow saws hanging up on the wall.   They can work like a coping saw as well. 

---

'and may the road raise up to meet ye...

No luck so far.  Here is what my missionary friend said:

Bro. Greg, we have no idea what a leeping saw is here. I asked the native even and they don't know...sorry man. If I find out I will let you know though.

Ron Dudelston said:

This is one of those cases where Google was useless.  Greg, I'm curious to see what you find out.

---

Ron Dudelston
Above and Beyond WoodWorks

It was worth a shot Greg.  Thanks.

---

Ron Dudelston
Above and Beyond WoodWorks

Man I wore google out today and didn't come up with anything. I tried every way I could think of to search it. No luck.

---

John Moody
John Moody Woodworks
http://www.johnmoodywoodworks.com

john, I think it is a mystery for the ages.  Ward is talking like he may be headed back to Malawi this summer with a load of tools so maybe he can figure it out then.

 

---

Ron Dudelston
Above and Beyond WoodWorks