Chapman's Sharp Crosscut Saws

Finer Points #2

I regret that I don't have any sharpening classes scheduled. I won't attempt to present comprehensive saw filing instruction on line, but I will be glad to correspond with anyone who would like my help, and I will be posting a series of tips for achieving 'The Finer Points' of saw sharpening. Here is the first installment. Enjoy!

Here’s what happens when you use a saw without lube. You can clean the gunk off with De-Solv-it and a fine brass brush. The real damage is the wear on the cutting side of the teeth. That burnished look and convexity on the cutting side will make the saw bind. Extra jointing will ‘fix’ that but shortens the life of the saw.

Thank you VWA, USFS, and Dolly Chapman for one of the best trainings I’ve had in a long while. Despite the cold and damp conditions this weekend, fourteen VWA sawyers were re-certified to operate the crosscut. Wonderful weekend.

More great photos from Betsy MacGowan