Tuesday, January 17, 2006

Specialised Tool, Special Tool.....


Howdy Bloggerteers!
My Disston rip saw turned up at last (from the States). It's a "7" rip saw, 26 inches long and has been freshly sharpened (NOT by me). The saw is about a 100 years old, quite amazing really. It cuts superbly, almost too well. Obviously its only good for ripping but thats not necessarily a bad thing. Have you noticed how the tool that promise s"does the work of 10 different tools" never really does anything well. They are too compromised. But this is where specialised tools come into it.
A tool that is designed (successfully) to do one particular operation well is a delight. You may not use that tool every day (even every week) but when you need it, bang, the job is done. And done well. And that makes these special little tools worth the money in my opinion.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

With your fantastic table saw, I can't imagine there ever being a need for you to use a caveman saw :)

Either way, lovely looking saw :)

Alf said...

Very nice, Phil; lots of depth beneath the handle, which is a bonus. Thumbhole rip next, I daresay? ;~) Being a combination plane afficianado I'm not sure I can subscribe to the "specialised tool" school of thought though. But for saws, I'll let it go...

Anonymous said...

Yes, yes Phil--lovely saw. But then again, you knew I would write that!

As Alf said, lots of depth at the heel--and not bad at the toe either.

Take care, Mike

Philly said...

Careful, Byron! There are Galoots about! ;)
Alf, I was really pleased with the saw. As you say, there's a LOT of life left in this one. Wasn't having a dig at the old boat anchors, honest! ;)
Mike, your an easy touch when it comes to saws! Now if only the Missus could take on board some of your attitude....
Cheers
Phil

Anonymous said...

Really lovely saw Phil but I can't see you using it very often until you flush those Normite tendancies away and pass the cast iron on to me :)

To be honest, ripping is about the only thing I don't do to wood by hand these days 'cause it seems like much hard work for little satisfaction. However, with a hundred year-old Disston, I might be tempted. www.ebay.........

Cheers

Tony

Anonymous said...

These are lovely saws. I have 3 of these in my workshop. I have to be honest and say I never use them, but to just 'have' them is a treat.

I surfed in from the UKworkshop forum, hope you dont mind me adding a little note ;)

Philly said...

Not at all, Nola-good to have you around.
cheers
Philly