© megaflop/Getty ImagesAlthough powerful woodworking tools are better designed and more affordable than ever, the handsaw still has a place in every workshop. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced carpenter, you probably have at least one. If so, you might be wondering if you should learn how to sharpen a chainsaw. Short answer: probably not.
The case against hand saw sharpening
Some highly skilled carpenters still sharpen their saws by hand, but this is rare. I don't know of any serious carpenter other than me who has ever attempted this.
This doesn't mean it shouldn't be done. But for most beginners and intermediates, this can be a waste of time, and here's why.
Hard saws do not need to be sharpened
Many modern saws do not require sharpening. You can just replace it when you get bored. The modern design and the jagged construction make this possible.
The teeth were from the razor factory. They are made of hardened steel and are very difficult to smooth with the files used to sharpen traditional hand saws. This strength keeps the teeth sharp for a long time. Carpenters call this tool the "fixed saw".
Not all modern hard saws cut well. A constant highlight for me for over a decade is the Irwin hand saw. Makes cross cuts very quickly and accurately. It can even handle interruptions in a pinch.
Sharpening a saw requires special skills and tools
Most carpentry skills involve keeping cutting tools sharp. Proper sharpening takes time, skill, practice and often special equipment. It therefore makes sense to keep the sharpness number as low as possible.
With tools like chisels, chisels, and planes, sharpening is inevitable. But for a handsaw, hard-edge models eliminate the need for sharpening.
In the past, before built-in saws were invented, many woodworkers would send their saws to professionals to be sharpened, who had all the specially shaped guides and files needed to sharpen each tooth of the saw. The brave few who try it themselves usually face a lot of arduous and tedious work.
Hand-sharpened saws don't stay sharp for long
Even if you invest all the time and money it takes to learn how to sharpen a handsaw and get the job done perfectly, it's not going to stay sharp for long.
Like all woodworking cutting tools, the handsaw is soft enough to sharpen. This means that this saw cannot stay sharp as long as the saw is solid. I have personally tested a hand-sharpened handsaw without a hard point against my own hard-edged Irwin. I found that Irwin cut the wood about 10 times before it dulled.
How do I care for a handsaw?
Whether you choose a modern hand saw with a solid tip or stick with an old style miter saw, it's important to take care of it. hence:
- Store in a dry and safe place to prevent rust.
- Do not hold it near other metal utensils with your teeth as this may dull it.
- Always fit the blade guard over the teeth before removing it.
When should the saw be sharpened?
Some skilled woodworkers still like to work the old-fashioned way, sharpening their saws without a sharp edge. There are a few situations where using this ability still makes sense:
If you are interested in woodworking without power tools
Having started my carpentry career with this drive, I can understand the desire to challenge myself as a true carpenter and light up my workshop with electricity only.
If that's your goal, a hand-sharpened hacksaw will cut better than a stationary utility saw.
If you don't have a table or circular saw
Most carpenters today use a table saw or hand saw for cutting. Both deliver faster and better results than hand saws.
The problem is that table saws are big and expensive. Not everyone can afford them, leaving a smaller, cheaper circular saw option.
Unless you have a ruler attached to the workpiece for each cut, making perfectly straight cuts with a circular saw takes a lot of skill. Sawing skills are also required. However, since the cuts are not as fast and even as with circular saws, a beginner makes fewer mistakes.
If you like table saws and circular saws for cutting, it makes sense to learn how to sharpen a hand saw for cutting.
How to sharpen a handsaw
If you decide to manually sharpen your old chainsaw, remember that methods for sharpening a chainsaw vary widely depending on:
- Sawtooth shape and size.
- How many saw teeth per inch (TPI).
- Whether for cross cutting, slitting or both.
Fair warning: It's not easy being good. The first step is to acquire the necessary tools.
saw
- Saw Cutter: A clamp-like tool used to slightly bend each tooth of the saw outward.
- File Set: This triangular file grinds the metal on each saw tooth to bring it back sharp.
- Hand Saw Clamps: These long, thin clamps fit in a table vise and hold the hand saw blade while it is being sharpened. You can make your own by cutting most of the 1" x 1" center. Cut the wood to the same length as your saw, then place the saw blade in the cut and clamp the bar in a vise.
- Seat Vise: Holds saw clamp in place while sharpening.
How to sharpen a handsaw:
Secure the handsaw
Choose a hand saw clamp that is long enough to hold the entire saw blade. Use a vise to clamp the saw clamp to the work area. Place the saw upside down in the saw clamp so that the teeth are protruding at the top so that the saw blade itself is not visible.
Install saw tooth
The saw teeth must be bent outward at an angle to function properly. This ensures that the cutting edge of the blade is slightly wider than the blade itself and prevents the saw from binding.
Saw tooth bent in use. For this reason, the first step is to restore the teeth with a saw clamp. Adjust the tool according to the number of teeth per inch of the handsaw, and then adjust each tooth individually.
Choose the right file to sharpen your saw
When sharpening a hand saw for slotting or cross cutting, you need a file that matches the shape of the tooth. The side thickness should be at least twice the saw tooth height to ensure even file wear.
Align each tooth
Gently run the file over the edge of the teeth once or twice, keeping the file completely flat. This aligns each tooth so that all of the sharp points are in the same plane. The small, flat spot created by the file is polished at the end of each tooth, which is a good visual guide to avoid over-polishing the metal.
File each tooth
Starting with the saw teeth closest to the handle, hold the file in both hands and make short, controlled strokes with the blade. Unless the saw is very sharp, it may only take a click or two on the teeth. If it's really boring, maybe it needs more.
Sharpen each tooth in turn, one at a time. Be sure to maintain the same pressure and angle for all file movements.
