Sometimes you just get lucky... saw gloat

[Mike Allen1010]

Living in Southern California where vintage hand tools are few and far between, I'm always envious of my fellow Neanders in other parts of the country who have great stories of stopping by the neighborhood garage sale, thrift store etc. and finding excellent vintage plane, hand saws, etc. waiting to be restored and put to work.

I have a "bad handsaw problem", and although I am in a 12 step program I occasionally relapse and find myself trolling the mega auction site. The mint condition saws that are well photographed and described are typically more than I want to pay,so I'm usually on the lookout for "hidden gems". This is risky because I've certainly been frequently disappointed when saws show up and the plates are in poor condition or the saw is not as described.

Despite my frequent disappointments, I recently took a risk on a lot of 4 hand saws that had only one picture and no description. (I did say I have a problem!).

One of the saws was clearly worthless, 2 other saws were quality Disston models that need work but had potential, and the third was too dark and blurry to be identified by the photo, but I had my suspicions....

It turned out to be this D-15 with a rosewood tote and Liberty Bell etch:

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Here are the "after" pictures:


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continued below...

[Mike Allen1010]

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And here's how it works:

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For once I am the "blind squirrel" who occasionally finds the "acorn".

This one has already gone into my till. Only "problem" is now I have no room for the D-23, 12 PPI it replaced - I know ..."I suck"!

Thanks for sharing in my first ever "hidden gem" tool gloat!

All the best, Mike

[Patrick McCarthy]

Oh, you suck BIG time. Looking forward to meeting you soon. Patrick

[Jim Matthews]

You're doing it wrong.

Every crosscut should be made at multiple oblique angles,
so that you can cap the end with a contrasting wood for "character".

Do you sharpen so that a saw can rip and crosscut, too?

[Andrew Hughes]

That is a pretty saw I like the silver shine to the nuts and fittings.
Sounds like your doing good with your program if that's the worst thing you've done this year.
I will admit to a weakness for Tasai chisels its pretty bad.

[Philip Duffy]

Well Done, Mike! Great saw at the end and in good hands. Phil

[Rodney Walker]

Nice find and nice job cleaning it up.
I can find saws around here back to the thirties and forties fairly easily but tools older than that are few and far between. I don't think our end of the country is as old tool rich as the midwest and east coast. Our areas just aren't old enough.
Rodney