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274241 | Kirk Eppler | 2021‑07‑29 | Did Richardson Make a WS Saw? |
Hey gang I made another trip through the hoarder's tool sale that's been going on for the last few weeks. Since I was there last, they've cleaned and organized a bit, so it was easier to get through the stuff. One tool I've passed over on previous visits was a backsaw, rusted to heck, two broken saw bolts, the one remaining is a split nut on the medallion. Warranted Superior with the eagle. This time, I had a small enough stash*, that I decided I could safely carry the saw out, so I decided that, worst case, I could salvage the fairly nice handle, maybe re-plate it and get it working. The handle looked familiar, but I couldn't place it right off. https://kirkhmb.smugmug.com/Woodworking/Woodworking-Tools/i-3nMj2cj/A Got home, and got lost researching in the P Baker #4 Disston Type Study, Jackson saws, double coved backsaws etc. Meanwhile, the FleaBAGs had gotten into a discussion about a Foley or two available locally, so I commented on the sharpening job on this saw (last <1" under the handle not sharpened), so asked if they had any clues as to who might have used this handle, with the long nose. A couple of quick replies from Bill K and Brian W of Richardson Bros, and I was off to the races. https://www.jimbodetools.com/products/incredible-early-richardson-back-saw- with-3-1-4-inch-deep-blade-excelsior-67446 https://www.jimbodetools.com/products/spectacular-richardson-no-5-back-saw- carcass-saw-excelsior-95222 I then went fishing in my OT literature (EAIA book on Saw Articles), and found a type study of Richardson by Philip Baker. Mine looks a lot like Picture 8 on page 13 https://mwtca.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Issue-146-March-2012.pdf By the time of the 1895 "merger" into the National Saw Company, the nose had developed quite a curve, and the hook was much less pronounced So, the question to the assembled, does anyone know if Richardson (& Brothers) ever made a WS saw? Is there a chance the WS medallion is a replacement from a long time ago, when they first broke all three trying to remove them? Pics here and following https://kirkhmb.smugmug.com/Woodworking/Tools/WS-Backsaw-Richardson/ I am thinking a rework is in order, depending on how well things go on removing the split nut from the medallion. I have a few saw nuts from Blackburn Tools, not sure they are the right size, but will verify later. Will try to separate the handle, back and plate, derust the metal, retooth to get past the gross rust, then see what happens. If the plate is trashed, a new one from Blackburn may be on order. There does not seem to be any markings on the spine, but the rust is pretty thick right now. -- Kirk Eppler in Half Moon Bay, getting more derusting and organizing done in the evenings for a change. *Apologies to Tom for buying the shelf drilling jig, but I move my shelves everytime my interests change. |
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274242 | Bob Page | 2021‑07‑29 | Re: Did Richardson Make a WS Saw? |
Hi Kirk, That is most definitely an early Richardson backsaw. The distinctive square nose is a sure giveaway. I'm not sure if Richardson ever used a WS medallion. They seemed to be quite proud of their ornate medallions and have used them on every saw that I've seen, including the two in the photos from Jim Bode's site. Incidentally, both of these amazingly beautiful (and completely original) saws are currently in my shop. I just finished touching up the teeth for their new owner. He is a Richardson collector, so perhaps he will have an answer for the WS medallion question. Bob Page In da U.P. of Michigan On Thursday, July 29, 2021, 03:14:02 PM EDT, Kirk Eppler via groups.io |
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274243 | Joshua Clark <jclark@h...> | 2021‑07‑29 | Re: Did Richardson Make a WS Saw? |
Heya Kirk- Like Bob said, that handle style is one of the earliest Richardson made. I suspect the medallion may be original. All of the Richardson-branded examples I've seen with this handle style were made of apple. From your photos if looks like yours may be beech. If Richardson made a slightly lower-quality version of this saw, say for a hardware store, it's quite likely it could have had a beech handle and a Warranted Superior medallion. Here are some photos of a nice Richardson no. 5 with that same handle. Note that the plate is both etched and die-stamped. Perhaps your saw has a stamp you can resurrect? https://www.hyperkitten.com/pics/tools/fs/s1465.html Josh On Thu, Jul 29, 2021 at 3:26 PM Bob Page via groups.io |
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274244 | Bill Ghio | 2021‑07‑29 | Re: Did Richardson Make a WS Saw? |
> On Jul 29, 2021, at 3:13 PM, Kirk Eppler via groups.io |
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274245 | Bob Page | 2021‑07‑29 | Re: Did Richardson Make a WS Saw? |
Kirk, There is now: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmWixKKF Bob Page In da U.P. of Michigan On Thursday, July 29, 2021, 03:36:04 PM EDT, Kirk Eppler |
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274246 | Joshua Clark <jclark@h...> | 2021‑07‑29 | Re: Did Richardson Make a WS Saw? |
And, oddly enough, the photos of the saw I posted earlier are of the same saw Bob just posted. Not the same model.. the exact same saw. :) On Thu, Jul 29, 2021 at 6:12 PM Bob Page via groups.io |
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274263 | John Ruth <johnrruth@h...> | 2021‑08‑01 | Re: Did Richardson Make a WS Saw? |
Kirk wrote: > Will try to separate the handle, back and plate, derust the metal, retooth > to get past the gross rust, then see what happens. If the plate is > trashed, a new one from Blackburn may be on order. > > There does not seem to be any markings on the spine, but the rust is pretty > thick right now. I do hope you will post in-progress pictures! It will be especially interesting to learn if there are any stampings on the spine. You can be proud that you were able to recognize this saw as "a diamond in the rough!" Many would have passed it up; just bringing that handle back to usefulness will be a challenge by itself. My surmise is that you immediately recognized it as excellent, despite having been left out in the rain, due to the shape of the handle. It would be nice if you could get a square-on photo of the profile of the handle with a background of graph paper; galoots with more talent than I might want to try to duplicate the gorgeous shape. This thread is yet another example of the Power of the Porch, the incredible ocean of research, curatorial, restoration, design, and craftsmanship knowledge that all of you, taken as a whole, represent. John Ruth Grateful to be a part of this on-line community. |
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274266 | Bridger Berdel <bridgerberdel@g...> | 2021‑08‑01 | Re: Did Richardson Make a WS Saw? |
I have a Richardson bros saw of similar size and configuration with the barely recognizable remnants of a handle. I'd love to have a handle pattern for it. It's on my short list of restoration projects so any year now. |
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274269 | Claudio DeLorenzi <claudio@d...> | 2021‑08‑02 | Re: Did Richardson Make a WS Saw? |
> > > Maybe it's just me, but something looks out of proportion or something with that over-long nose on the spine of Richardson saw handles. Anyone else get that feeling? I've got at least one of them in a "to fix" project bin somewhere. Even though I'm not a super big fan of that shape, I wouldn't throw it out of bed for making sawdust. I'm a fan of Blackburn's stuff. Good quality saw plates, split nuts, and reasonable pricing too (no affiliation, just a happy customer). Claudio in Waterloo |
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