Matthew  Groves wrote:

> Perhaps it was not a visual marker, but one felt with a thumb. A 
> straight
> backed saw would of course be easier to keep a thumb on while feeling 
> for
> the nib to trigger your forward stroke. Those old timers didn't need to
> watch the line to saw to it anyway, right?
>
>
>> Have you ever tried to saw and watch the
>> nib at the same time?  Do you find it useful?
>
>

	That is an interesting thought, but I still don't think it passes the 
practicality test.  I find it useful to have my thumb down on the board 
being cut, pressed up against the saw, only when starting the cut.  
Once the cut is started it is far more comfortable and ergonomic to 
move your hand up on the handle with the other hand and proceed with 
speed.  Near the end of the cut it is useful to reach down an hold the 
offcut so it doesn't snap off, but that does not put the hand in a 
position to feel the nib.  I suppose one could speculate that it was a 
braille type aid for blind sawyers, but I don't believe 18th and 19th 
century sawmakers were that ADA compliant back then.

Regards,
Steve - oddly enjoying this round of nib discussion, for some unknown 
reason

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