Our research has shown that 250 years ago cabinetmakers favoured a longer saw of great precision. A saw which had a longer length of blade, a fine kerf and was extremely accurate was the saw of choice for those who wished to gang up their joints and increase the speed of their work.
After handling many Georgian saws I have found that whereas the first Sheffield saw makers of that time made a heavier workhorse of a saw, the London makers favoured a longer, but lighter saw. On making the Squire / Peters c1760 reproduction (Squire, being probably the most famous London tool maker of the 18th century) I could immediately tell that this was superior in its feel to any other saw that I have ever picked up and used. One could tell that this design was not solely influenced by the maker but also by the cabinetmakers of that time, the likes of Thomas Chippendale, George Hepplewhite and Thomas Sheraton. It would have been impossible to have made a tool of this calibre without their input. I too am keen to design and make saws with the end user and their specific task in mind. What is clear is that in making these long stroke saws, like myself the London makers didn’t just take a standard saw and make it longer, but they were uniquely designed each fit for a specific purpose and standing within their own range.
This uniquely designed range of saws with exquisite attention to detail feature a snug closely fitted handle, a longer length canted blade, a tapered spine and a thin plate with a fine tooth pattern which produces a fine kerf of cut. The combination of all of these features provides the user with a saw that comes naturally to the hand, is comfortable and above all is perfectly balanced. So let us take a closer look…
The Saw Back
Predominantly made from a high grade brass (although can be custom made in other fine materials upon request) the saw back where it meets the handle is elegantly elliptical in shape. Hand worked to a unique design this fits flush providing a seamless transition from brass to wood. Hand tapered, the saw back flawlessly moves from a flat top to a radius down its whole length. This combination allows the saw back to be longer whilst still maintaining its balance.
The Handle
Entirely hand shaped from a choice of beautiful native or exotic timbers this handle pattern fits readily and seamlessly into the hand. Specially designed and engineered this saw automatically makes your index (pointing) finger point to the correct position, this being the centre of the saw plate. The horns on the handle finish flush with the top and bottom of the hand as opposed to the horns wrapping over the hands.
The Blade
The longer saw plate allows the user to make an accurate controlled stroke with the saw and by using the full length a greater depth of cut per stroke can be achieved. This therefore means that less forward and backward motions are required to cut down to the baseline. Having a thinner plate with a narrower kerf means that you remove less width of material when cutting and this alone enables these saws to cut faster. Due to this, one is therefore able to cut finer teeth on the plate which in turn provide a superior surface finish. Furthermore, like all of our saws all the blades are uniquely tensioned in a manner only accustomed to us.
London Long Stroke 10 ¾” Fine Dovetail Saw
Specifically designed with cutting lap dovetails in mind, this fine dovetail saw has a fine tooth pattern that enables the cutting of thinner stock right down to jewellery box size. Its higher hang allows the user to cut from horizontal up to 45° whilst still feeling natural in the hand.
· 10 ¾” Fine Dovetail Saw
· A uniquely tapered and shaped brass back
· Canted blade 1-11/16” at the heel to 1-7/16” at the toe
· 0.015” Plate thickness
· 52° Handle hang
· Open pistol grip handle in a choice of high grade timbers size M-L (Other sizes can be custom made)
· Rip cut 18ppi / 17tpi
· 0.002” Set per side
London Long Stroke 11 ¼” Dovetail Saw ( A 12” Longer Dovetail Saw is also available)
Being beautifully designed for cutting straight dovetails and small joints makes the 11 ¼” a popular choice for a variety of woodworkers. Differing slightly from the fine dovetail saw, it features a deeper depth of cut and a low hang angle which is ideal for when you are working parallel to your workbench. Furthermore its longer length enables the swift ganging up of joints. With the ability to cut through dovetails this saw is ideal for cutting joints when chair making.
· 11 ¼” Dovetail Saw
· A uniquely tapered and shaped brass back
· Canted blade 1-15/16”at the heel to 1-5/8” at the toe
· 0.015” Plate thickness
· 40° Handle hang
· Open pistol grip handle in a choice of high grade timbers size M-L (Other sizes can be custom made)
· Rip cut 17ppi / 16tpi
· 0.002” Set per side
London Long Stroke 13 ¾” Fine Carcass Saw
Extremely versatile this long lightweight carcass saw can be used to make most joints found in furniture joinery. Its universal nature means that one can perform tasks from dovetailing through to cutting tenons with this saw.
· 13 ¾” Fine Carcass Saw
· A uniquely tapered and shaped brass back
· Canted blade 2-3/8” at the heel to 2” at toe
· 0.018” Plate thickness
· 38° Handle Hang
· Open pistol grip handle in a choice of high grade timbers size M-L (Other sizes can be custom made)
· Rip 15ppi / 14tpi
· Crosscut 16ppi / 15tpi
· 0.003” Set per side
London Long Stroke 18 ¼” Lightweight Fine Tenon Saw
Featuring a closed handle and elegantly formed traditional tongue, this saw is lightweight and gives a very long stroke of cut. Although 18 ¾” long, in the hand it balances the same as our standard carcass saw. With its longer length and thin plate one is able to make a deeper cut and gang up multiple tenon shoulders.
· 18 ¼” Lightweight Fine Tenon Saw
· A uniquely tapered and shaped brass back
· Canted blade 3-5/16” at the heel to 2-3/4” at the toe
· 0.022” Plate thickness
· 28° Handle hang
· Closed handle in a choice of high grade timbers M-L (Other sizes can be custom made)
· Rip 13ppi / 12tpi
· Crosscut 14ppi / 13tpi
· 0.0035” Set per side