Hi, all -
I just wanted to crow with pleasure after an experience today. Some of you may recall that a month or two ago, I put out feelers regarding hand saws. Eventually, I wound up with a referral and some outstanding advice, and I pulled the trigger on a couple of Disston D8s - one a circa 1930s 5.5pt thumbhole rip, one an early 1900s 9pt XC. I received them a day or two ago, and not only were they both were very well restored and sharpened, but using them has absolutely reinforced my move toward a more neander woodworking approach.
I had an opportunity today to get into the shop for a whole FIFTEEN MINUTES (yay!!!) and took that time to cut some ~2" square notches in a 1x12x96 pine shelf for my wood rack (so the shelf would butt against the wall, not the rack) - the first cut I made with a jigsaw, the other 3 with the XC saw. I honestly believe the XC was at least as fast - it was an incredible experience (okay, yes, both came freshly sharpened, I didn't do this myself...). Using a 1" chisel, I knocked out the rest of the notches in 10 seconds (spent another 30 paring it smooth), and in less than 5 minutes I'd modified and reinstalled the shelf. I had enough time left over to move a bunch of lumber into the new rack.
I know that the vast majority of you will probably smirk at me for this, but I can't believe how incredibly happy this whole experience made me. I've already started seriously considering just how many of my power tools I can sell to finance more hand tools. Dang this slippery slope!!!
daniel