Which files for saw sharpening

[Jim Koepke]

Thanks for all the info. I appreciate all the good advise I get at this web site. I look forward to my session.

Jeff

Let us know how it goes.

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jim

[Mike Brady]

The file should be about twice as wide as the height of the saw tooth. No more. This way each corner of the file as two fresh 60 degree angles. Of course you will have three sets of fresh sides and corners per file. I can do a couple of 26" saws with one file if a lot of tooth shaping isn't needed.

[Don Orr]

I haven't seen anyone metion the need for a jointing file. A flat mill file is commonly used I believe. There are fixtures to hold them as well. Such as the LV holder for sharpening card scrapers. Or just a block of wood to hold the file @ 90 deg.

I also think that reading the tutorial at www.vintagesaws.com is one of the best tools available for sharpening hand saws.

Good luck and have fun !

[matt braun]

I can do a couple of 26" saws with one file if a lot of tooth shaping isn't needed.

Are you saying you can sharpen a saw twice before you replace the file? If not, how many sharpenings do you get from one file?

[Darnell Hagen]

how many sharpenings do you get from one file?

Depends on the quality of saw, size of saw, quality of file, amount of steel removed.

I shoot for one sharpening per corner, sometimes it works out, sometime not.

+1 on the saw jointer, although you don't need to do that every time.

If I remember correctly the Norse Woodsmith has a saw sharpening article that is quite good.