-----Original Message-----
From: oldtools-bounces@r...
[mailto:oldtools-bounces@r...] On Behalf Of Tom Opfell
Sent: Friday, July 11, 2008 8:12 PM
To: oldtools@r...
Subject: [OldTools] Handsaw Nibs and Early Saws

> I believe that the actual purpose of the saw nib was, as Sandy Moss
> correctly stated, was to warn the operator that the end of the blade was
> near to prevent the saw from freeing itself from the kerf and perhaps
> injuring the hand holding the board. In his book "The Carpenter's Tool
> Chest" published in 1933, Thomas Hibben's states "the little nipple on the

> top of our saws has survived from the days when saws were pulled. Such a
> mark would serve to catch the carpenter's eye as he pulled back on the saw

> so that he stopped his pull before the blade came out of the cut."

Does this mean that without a nib, sawyers have trouble with the saw flying
out of the kerf?  I'm not a great sawyer, by any stretch, but I never have
that problem.

This explanation doesn't make sense to me.  When you're sawing, you're
watching the line, not the back or toe of the saw.

- Bill T.

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