I retired 2 years ago after 52 years as a carpenter and never learned to file my own saws. I wish I’d seen this 40 years ago. You’re a good teacher

Something I found helpful when sharpening is to run a black Sharpie pen along the top of the teeth and then file. As you file, the ink is removed and the shiny teeth are very visible, allowing you to see where you're up to and if you've missed any teeth. Any residual ink is removed as soon as you start to use the saw.

One thing that is VERY important to remember is that you set the saw before filing it. This is especially important for rip saws so that they will saw straighter. You should do this even on a brand new saw. Do so will improve the cutting process exponentially.

The saw filing guide that Lee Valley sells is worthwhile. It helps train the hand and eye to hold the file at the desired rake and fleam, until you learn you what feels right. I think it made leaning how to accurately sharpen a saw much easier' at least for me.

Vielen Dank, sehr einfach erklärt und auch unterhaltsam. Bleiben Sie gesund Herr Blackburn

Thank you, I’ve been doing it wrong with xcut saw I’ve been filing both sides of each tooth thank you for putting me right.cheers terry

Great video! Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us.

Fantastic, Graham! Thanks a bunch!!! 😊 Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

You always make things look so easy Graham, I guess when you know, you know. Thank you once again for a great lesson. Enjoy your day.

Most metalworkers would point out that a file should not be pulled back while in contact with the work.

Thank you Graham - Restoring a saw or generally sharpening/cleaning tools is somewhat theraputic when you have nothing to make :)

Excellent, thank you

Another great video. some other ideas for videos might be saw-setting and how to straighten a bent saw. thanks!

Well done. I have a rip saw that needs sharpening (It belonged to my father) and I'll put these video tips to work. Thanks for the video. Now to the back yard to sharpen!

Simples. LOL. Thanks for sharing.

I suspect you omitted a lot of detail about choosing the angles - LOL! Thank you. Clear and concise.

Good morning from Copperhill Tn.

Thank you

I am filing a complaint against my saw. It has been somewhat blunt lately. It might try to bite back, but I am not worried as it has no teeth!

thanks

Thank you. I have procrastinated learning this for years. Even though I file chain saw teeth almost non stop, no issues. For some reason, hand saws seem intimidating.

A+

Don't believe you mentioned it. Should the "set" be removed before planing and sharpening?

Great instructions. At 8:29 what do you mean by "after I've removed *half* the shiny spot of whatever I've achieved before"?

The problem I had my first (and currently only) time trying to sharpen a saw was I kept forgetting which tooth I'd just sharpened. I ended up not alternating consistently. Fortunately, I was learning on a saw I didn't care about about, so nothing was lost, but it was quite frustrating.

Where can you buy files for saws from I can’t seem to find them online.Thanks Graham.

Where is a good source for the correct files? I’ve seen some on on leevalley, but the names and sizing is was dreadful last time I looked

How many larger saws can you sharpen with one file?

Why would you not just do all the teeth consecutively rather than missing a tooth? Is there a reason for this?

May I ask why you say to file every other tooth 9f a rip saw and then turn the saw around. I understand that is necessary for s crosscut but a rip does not have that set. No disrespect intended to you, but Paul Sellers clearly does consecutive teeth for his rip saw demonstrations. I do enjoy seeing your tool inventory. Thanks.

What about using a saw set? You completely forgot about that.

I can tell you've never filed a saw, sir. you mean well, Im sure. A rip saw has all the teeth filed straight across, level and 90 degrees, and all the teeth are filed in succession; not every other tooth, as you said. Its the cross cut saw gets every other tooth, but at an angle to the line of the saw.

Hmmmm...I can't see what is achieved by filing alternate teeth on a rip saw. Filing in one gullet cuts the front of the next tooth and the back of the previous one, and the angle is identical. Swapping and filing alternate teeth from the other side doesn't produce any difference other than which side any burrs occur.