Crosscut Saws

[davidj]

I'm working my way down my prep list and am ready to get a crosscut saw. I see several online, but not much in the way of reviews. Based on what I've seen, I figure I'll probably get a two-man for my son and I with the Tuttle/Champion tooth pattern. But I don't know which brand to get. I'd like to hear some opinions on which one's the best. Thanks!

[COWS]

Look up the Woodcraft Supply catalog. They have a one man saw. They have saws up to 8 feet long. I got D and SIL a 4 foot one. It was made in Germany and is sharp and high quality and does cut good. I don't know where the current models are made.

Look at flea markets for an old saw which seem to be about $45 for one in good shape. Learn to sharpen the saw. The most difficult part is bending the tips of the teeth out enough to form the kerf, which makes the cut fractionally wider that the blade so that the saw does not bind from friction. There is a special tool for that called a saw set, but for large teeth on a cross cut saw careful application of a small punch on the sides of the tips of the teeth would probably work. Google saw sharpening. There is a book called "How to Sharpen Every Tool in Your Shop" which you may find in your local library.

Remember when using a cross cut saw that you PULL the saw, don't push it.

There was a crosscut saw at home when I was growing up, don't know what happened to it. I was sneaky and lucky about getting a saw recently. I found a saw handle at a flea market and got it cheap, the looked for a saw missing a handle, and actually found one, so i have a saw for less than $45.

COWS

[FarmboyBill]

Lehmans have them for sale. Also the saw set and file. Try to find a ribbon saw, not a high back. L also sells a one man saw that you can buy a handle for the other end making it a 2 man. Youll likely find it easier to learn on, and have a use for it AFTER getting a true 2 man saw,.
Cutting down a tree with a 2 man saw is WAY harder than cutting up an already fallen one. Make sure you have at least 1/2 doz wedges. I have a doz. Saws get pinched in trees pretty easily. Especially with newbies running the saw. ALSO, taping in a wedge behind the saw as its going in makes it much easier to cut with

[KMA1]

I am lucky in that I have a couple of my Grandfather's crosscut saws including one that is almost new. But I also found some New Old Stock blades from a top manufacturer for sale reasonable on ebay and got 3. You might find some NOS blades on ebay if you watch regularly for a while for a better price than buying new. The better manufacturers of old blades are supposedly better than much more expensive new saws according to a number of longtime users I talked with, due to the steel and the tapering of the blade thickness leaving the center and back of the blades thinnest. I can't tell you that I know this for sure from my own experience.

Good Luck.

[1shotwade]

You might like this short clip about his cross-cut saws.

Wade

www.youtube.com/watch?v=dt9sxOYTpIo

[hoddedloki]

Buy a 1850-1910 used one man crosscut saw. The quality is at least as good as new these days, and you can use it, learn how to sharpen it, and how not to abuse it before you buy the more expensive two man saw.

Do you want to drop trees, cut them up on the ground, or both? There are different types of saws optimized for each, with is important when the only motor is you.

If you want training materials/books, the US Forestry Service is just about the only folks still actively working with these types of saws on a day-in day-out basis. Their literature on working with saws and axes is pretty good, and their safety materials are a must read if you want to actually drop trees with saws.

Regards,
Loki

[FarmboyBill]

Yeah, like there dated.

[hoddedloki]

Oddly enough, some of them are dated. Some are manufactured by companies that are now out of business (pre-1940s; Disston, Atkins, Warranted Superior.) You could do some research and find out that there are distinct price breakpoints; New- over $150, old- under $100. Or you can take your chances with Ebay, where ~2 of the first 30 crosscut lumber saws listed are antiques.

But hey, don't let me get in the way of a good snark.

Loki

[FarmboyBill]

LOL. I have 2 and been around another one or 2 when a kid. Dad started us on a 2 man when we were in the middle of grade school while he leaned on an ax. I never knew the names or dates on any of them.
I got one once that is gone now, that was broke somewhere near the middle. I put a handle at the broke end with the metal catch between 2 teeth, and started my kids out on it at around the same age. It was ALOT easier for them to manage 1/2 a 2 man than to manage a full length one, I can tell you.

[farmrbrown]

Good thread.
I'd like to have at least one on hand in case the chainsaw becomes unusable in the future, whether due to parts or fuel shortages, IOW a total SHTF situation.

I saw a couple recently at a local roadside flea market fairly cheap, but I didn't have enough knowledge to know what was good or bad.
I DO know the quality of today's steel is no match for steel in it's heyday.
Machining it for a living, there's no doubt in my mind.

[jwal10]

Check out a bow saw, also. Thin, narrow blade, easy to use. One person operation. Buy a good frame, the first time, blades are relatively inexpensive. I use mine a lot more than the crosscut saw. Light, easy to use. You can change out blades for differents types of wood....James

http://www.amazon.com/Bahco%C2%AE-Bo.../dp/B003WRA2Q0

[FarmboyBill]

Ive got a couple of them too. ones a true bow with a longer blade than the other which, with the blade has a kind of triangular shape. They were all right for cutting off limbs that wernt too big up in trees, but I never had much use for them. Ive never replaced the blades, which is unusual for me, as I like to have everything ive got in top operating condition, which means, for me, I havnt got much use for them.

[plowhand]

I got Grandpas' crosscuts........brand new drag saw blades that could be used by hand, that was in the barn..........don't know if they were his, or stock in his country store.....I've got 4 or 5 that folks were throwing away at the recycle center...blades whole saws , 1 and 2 man...........I'd have to live a long time to wear them all out.....I never could find a good 5lb axe to buy, but some I got two that folks were gonna toss away! I ain't found nobody throwing away boxes a money yet!

[PATCsawyer]

Any saw you buy retail will arrive dull and poorly set. Ebay, flea markets, and antique stores is full of old quality saws, but you'll have to get them filed for the type of wood you plan to cut. Lots of good crosscut saw discussion on this site; search the forums and you will find the info you're looking for:

http://www.crosscutsawyer.com

[Phil V.]

I agree with hoddedloki. There's different saws for different jobs. The thinner ones are for felling and the thicker ones are for cutting to stove length. I learned this from a guy that grew up with a sawmill run by a steam engine. He's in his 80's now and felling trees for his dad's mill was one of his jobs when he was growing up.

[FarmboyBill]

Hes got me beat likely. I started one end of a 2 man in the mid 50s

[plowhand]

There are saws better for softwood, there are saws better for hardwoods also.......or at least that's what I've been told, and don't forget the Coke bottle full a kerosene , with pinestraw rammed in the top of the bottle to cut away the sap on the saw blade

[davidj]

Thanks for all the input so far folks. My purpose for is it like farmrbrown, it's for when I can't use my chainsaw. I'd give use it so I know what I'm doing before hand, but I wouldn't use it on a regular basis yet. I'd be cutting mostly hardwood here, oak and hickory. If I decide to go new, any recommendations? I'm generally a fan of German-made stuff, so I've been eyeing the Putsch. Anyone have one?

[FarmboyBill]

Id wager, when your chainisaw don't work, youll find something else to keep you busy till it gets fixed.

[hoddedloki]

If you are going to be sawing mostly hardwood, I would suggest getting a saw with a Champion tooth pattern (2 cutters per raker,) a saw set, and plan on getting metal files for sharpening the teeth about every 1-3 hours of use.

Regards,
Loki