How to Sharpen a Woodworking Handsaw | Paul Sellers 

For a beginner friendly guide on sharpening saws, see our sister site, Common Woodworking: commonwoodworking.com/sharpening-a-saw/ For more information about Paul Sellers and the projects he is involved with visit: paulsellers.com

One of the times we can truly appreciate the skill of the film crew for their tight framing and excellent lighting. Great video.

Paul, I have viewed many, many videos on numerous topics but I have never seen any that compares to yours. Your voice, the method of presenting useful information is to be commended. Your experience is such that I cannot help but feel I am sitting in a special classroom watching someone who knows how to impart his knowledge. Thank you. Please keep imparting your knowledge to your numerous followers.

You are the Bob Ross of the woodworking. Thank you for inspiring me and soothing my soul

This bloke is just the best at explaining and taking the mystery out of woodworking .I find that other teachers are just too over complicated.

Paul, I need to preface my comment with a hearty "thank you". My grandfather was a farmer, but every winter, her would go camp with the logging crews. He was a sawyer, and told me stories of how he'd sharpen two man cross cut saws while the rest of his crew would tend mule team and drink at night. I wasn't old enough to realize the goldmine of knowledge I had at the time, but I remember watching him sharpen my first axe when I was a boy. I've never been able to do it as smoothly as he did. I spoke with my mother two weeks before he died, and I told her I wanted him to sharpen my handsaws just so I could watch. Thank you for stepping in. My saws, my work, and I thank you.

All of Paul's videos have a hidden lesson that I badly needed: how to be patient.

I treat these videos like an apprenticeship. You're pushing me along well, thanks mate.

Such a high quality for a 11 year old video, damn impressive, definately a lot of work here, especially with camera sliding along with a file and a lot of other details

Watching Paul surrounded by his tools in his workshop on this rainy morning in front of my log burner makes me feel incredibly grateful and cosy. Cheers Mr Sellers, learnt loads again.

Thank you for changing my whole thought process of woodworking. I am finding it peaceful and enjoyable again because of you. I bought 4 nice Disston handsaws today and a Stanley 8 C planer and look forward to cleaning up my little woodshop . This video was what I needed . Best videos on RU-vid !!!

As always it is an absolute pleasure to watch a fine craftsman in action and have real information from someone of such great standards. Thank you Mr. Sellers.

In my effort to learn how to sharpen a hand saw, I have watched over 30 youtube videos out there on the subject. Your video is the most informative, detailed, and professional saw sharpening video out there. Thank you very much. Your shooting board video is also amazing.

I recent came into possession of 22" 12 PPI Atkins saw that I have been cleaning up (the saw plate was solid black when I got it). Though I have watched several other videos on saw sharpening I hated all of the various jigs and guides they used and being forced to choose between crosscut and rip cutting. Thanks to a mention from wranglerstar I decided to give Paul Sellers' crazy techniques another look and boy am I glad I did. Although I did not have a diamond hone to touch up the back of the teeth I was able to do everything else as this video instructs and am absolutely delighted with the results of my first saw sharpening. I used a Stanley No. 42 saw set and it is capable of applying a slight set that doesn't need corrected with a hammer. Thanks Paul!

I love how you have demystified this issue and shown how simple it is to file a saw. thank you

I came here looking for "sharpen the saw" as a metaphor for self-improvement. But there's something about seeing the real thing behind a metaphor that brings it to life. Good craftsmanship has value beyond its immediate domain.

Thank you for publishing Paul. As I said in one of your Q and A videos I’m having a very lovely afternoon now reminiscing on time spent with my father. He was a saw doctor and many in my family have no idea what that entailed. He tried to teach me but I never had the patience as a child. He left me his tools when he passed on several years ago and I put most of them away in a box and have never touched them since. Thanks to you I’m going to get them out, clean them up and actually use them to repair the lovely saws he left me too. I dearly thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving me the impetus to do that. As someone else said your style is very much like having your father teach you. I feel he is teaching me again vicariously through you. I am so pleased to have found your channel. All the best to you sir.

Just sharpened my first saw it cuts like new and found it very therapeutic and satisfying thank you for this easy to follow guide can not wait for the cross cut

Just starting out. Great clear instruction, cannot fault the detail and the explanations. Many thanks.

I recently purchased my first dovetail saw. An inexpensive model. After watching a few videos on sharpening the saw I applied the techniques. I still was not happy with cut speed or quality. I then figured you must have the instruction I need and sure enough I found this video. I resharpened the saw today using your technique and it cuts like a dream. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. It is much appreciated.

Hi Paul, just sharpened my first saw,. I was a bit nervous about doing it but your explanation made it really simple, it now cuts great! Thank you for all the informative videos you have really helped me progress with my woodworking.

Thank you Mr. Sellers. You give a clear and straightforward lesson on handsaw sharpening. I have a new appreciation for handsaws now so my collection of saws in dire need of sharpening will get a new life.

Thank you! You've inspired me to take out the hand saw I put away ten years ago and try again to learn to sharpen it. I tried a crosscut sharpening method from a book back then, with little success. We'll see how this goes.

Great tips, thanks for the micro-bevel with the diamond hone trick. I have been cross cutting my dovetail saws, I'm going to try one with a rip cut. I had not seen the progressive rake angle before, it makes total sense !

Thank you Paul, you have re-booted my knowledge of saws from apprentice many years ago but long forgotten. The back bevel is brilliant, I will definitely be using that!

This is a University level presentation. You remembered me some of my beloved Medical professors during my medical student years. Now, as retired Orthopaedic Surgeon, I watched this video with the same enthusiasm. Well done!

Thank you very very much. It's amazing that such old skills are preserved up to this day. Going to sharpen my saws right away!

I have just recently viewed your series on restoring hand planes and now I am watching you sharpen hand saws. I find them very enlightening and informative. I like the basic techniques you use and the useful attachments you make. Thanks for all your efforts and I shall continue viewing your other videos.

Thanks for another fine, informative video. I had been bypassing this video for a while now. Partly because I learned how to sharpen saw blades and many other tools with various cutting edges in a course I took in college called wood technology (best 12 units I ever took). But mostly, it was the length of the video that had me staying away. Now that I've seen it, I must say, it went quick. I found myself getting that disappointment feeling when I looked at the red time bar to see over a half an hour had already played and it was almost over. You're a great teacher, Mr Sellers. ..a good shop teacher with all 10 fingers is a really great teacher. I like how you get the point across thoroughly, leaving no stone unturned along the way and nothing to question at the end. The things you post obviously come from experience. Most of the other woodworking videos on here are done by people who seem to have just learned what they now expect to teach. Some guys go on n on about jobsites, customers, blah, blah, blah.. but all their videos are about building shop furniture, like they're just now getting into woodworking.. Lol the reason I finally watched this video was because I had just got a reply from someone who posts a lot of videos, most of them are of her doing stuff wrong. I saw one of her videos about coping. Right out of the gate, it was obvious she didn't know what she was talking about. I wish I could remember what she said the reason was for the 45° back cut was , she definitely didn't say it was to reveal the profile of the molding. I couldn't help it, but I had to go straight to comments to explain it but she had comments disabled.. todays video was about sharpening multi tool saw blades. I waited til the painful end before I left a simple, respectful comment saying there was more to it than what she said. My memory on the subject is well rusty but what's rusted is all terminology, not technique. ..anyway, she replied with a bunch of double talk as if she knew what I was talking talking about and it didn't apply to her. I'm still wondering if I should set her straight or let it go... Thanks for being a pillar of truth in this tube full of uncertainty. You're a fine craftsman. ..one of the very select few people here on youtube for whom I would condider being an apprentice..

Thank you very much for this. My father owned a hardware store and growing up I used to watch his saw sharpening machine go back and forth on the saw. I never knew you could do it by hand.

Thank you for sharing the knowledge.

Paul Sellers... that was the first video I've ever watched on this subject... and you are an EXCELLENT teacher! Thank you so much from the state of Ohio (USA). Your voice, cadence... just your manner are as good as could ever be hoped. There is no need for anyone else to post a video on sharpening a saw. Nuff said!

I love the sound of a handsaw. Brings back a whole other time. I enjoy your videos very much.

Thank you for the tutorial, your method worked spectacularly.

Best saw sharpening video I’ve seen. Well done!!! Thank you.

Who knew that watching Mr Sellers sharpen a saw would be therapudic and relaxing

I have watched this a ton of times, implemented your teachings one step at a time, and successfully returned many “trashed” saws to working order. I am today going to make a tool similar to your tiny file-like finishing paddle from the last sharpening step in this video. Each time I sharpen, the results are astronomically better than the last. I am excited to see the improvement I get by using the final step of your incredibly successful process. Thank you as always, -CY Castor

I really enjoy these videos, because even in the most monotoneous process hes saying something about the hows and whys and you can learn so incredibly much, it is outstanding!

Thank you. That was the most comprehensive guide to saws I've ever seen. I didn't know quite how much I didn't know.

Another great video with commentary and a camera view that makes the topic understandable for a novice woodworker. Thank you!

Really good - thanks. Brilliant to see the close-ups. Time to get going with this !

Another great one from Mr. Sellers! You’re the best. Thanks!

Master class, thank you for your kindness, highly appreciated.

Awesome video Paul, thank you for the precious teachings

Thank you very much Mr. Sellers.

Thank you for taking the time and making this video!

I had never attempted to sharpen a saw but after watching this video I gave it a go with my relatively cheap and dull backsaw. I was amazed and believe it cut twice as good as new. I then watched the crosscut saw video and soon enough I had what seems like a entirely new assortment of saws.

Thank you for taking up your time to explain!

Perfect job. Thank you so much Mr, Paul,

Paul, thank you for a very well explained video on saws. I had never realised the saw was so complex. You’re a great teacher. Had seen your tutorials on planes,also great.Keep it up. Tony.

It's times like this that really makes me appreciate my 4k 65" Smart TV. I'll tell you what! I could see the saw blade becoming flat with those two cuts of a file. Thanks for sharing this wonderful information with me. I appreciate it so much sir.

Thanks Paul, great video as usual. I am on my way to learning the correct way to sharpen my saws.

Thank you sir for Your wisdom in woodworking.. I am just dipping my toe Into woodworking and have found that your videos are far superior in both quality and content. I love the detail shots and explaining things in detail that most videos pass to quickly over or asume it's understood.. When often times it's not:) every orgional question I had at the start of your video you addressed in a very patient and understanding manner. I could watch your video here over and over again. I hope you keep the content comming sir cause I will watch and absorb all that I can:) thanks again and I look forward to more input and explination:)

Thank you, Paul! My box mitre saw was pretty dull. Sought instructions online for how to sharpen it today (hard to find!) and found this video. The method is simple and well shown and explained. I have all the necessary tools. I had never sharpened the saw before, and indeed when I acquired it over 40 years ago it was used! I even pulled out my saw set today, which, believe it or not, I made myself from scratch after having carefully examined one available at a local hardware store over 40 years ago when I needed to sharpen my crosscut saw. However, I didn't bother setting the teeth on my mitre saw today. They have some visible set. If the saw seems to bind much I suppose I can pull out the saw set and go to work on it, but right now, it seems OK.

Thank you Paul. Great knowledge, well explained

Thank you so much for your videos. I am getting a formal woodworking education and I still find them very informative. I especially like your sharpening and four squaring videos. I have been hand sharpening my chisels and plane irons and get a very quick, sharp edge. I appreciate you articulate way of pointing out what needs to be paid attention to.

Very usefull. To me the clearest sharpening and setting saws video. Thank you very much Paul

Best tutorial on saw sharpening and setting I’ve seen - thanks!

Absolutely fantastic video. I always come back to this video when it's time to sharpen a saw!

Very informative. Thanks for making this.

Informative and helpful. Thank you.

This video came at the right time. I just recently bought an old saw with proper wooden handle at a flea market for only €2,-. Can't wait to sharpen it using these instructions! Thanks!

It's great to have access to these videos, especially for people like me who are learning most things themselves.

Wow. Thank you. That was a great lesson for me to learn. You're video was top notch, great angles on the cuts and your methodology is phenomenal. I look forward to watching more of your videos while i familiarize myself with your channel.

Wow! This is fantastic. Now I'm off to try this on one.

Thanks for making these videos. Young woodworkers like myself love learning from quality craftsman, not many on job sites these days...

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I have a small sharpening business here in East Texas and thank you so much for your videos.

Awesome stuff Paul thank you.

Fantastic. You are simple and precise. Great tutorial. Many thanks

Thank you so much for explaining this so well, it's exactly what I was looking for.

Thank you Paul for your invaluable information on rip saw sharpening. Geoff.

Marvelous! I didn't know there was so much to know about saws. TYSM.

Thank you Paul, very very informative.

PAUL IS ONE OF FAVORITE PEOPLE ON PLANET EARTH. PEOPLE LIKE HIM ARE TREASURES TO OTHER CRAFTSMAN. WHAT A GREAT PERSON TO SHARE HIS VAST WEALTH OF WOODWORKING KNOWLEDGE.

Thanks Paul, very, very good explained. I will start right now with sharpening.

OMG! You just taught me so much! Thank you.

Excellent tutorial. Some 40 plus years ago I needed a saw to cut door jams up to place lino, went and bought the most expensive, and I think it's even called a signature edition, and hit a nail virtually the first time using. Used it a few times since but was kinda dull so was never grabbed. So after watching and some careful observation, a good file, making a holder, and some elbow grease, I have a very nice, sharp, classic of a saw, that'll be the first to grab from now on.

Always informative. Thank you.

Paul, thank for these videos. I hadn't touched a saw or chisel since I was at school in the late 70's and watching you was like being in my class again when I was 13, learning skills not many people seem to retain due to the prevalence of power tools. Thanks.

Thanks! You're a good teacher, your videos are awesome with all those fantastic tools! The colors, I mean.... really nice!

Your youtube vids are amazing. Youre obviously a master craftsman. Im a welder by trade, no longer able to work due to a broken back, so im a stay home day now. Ive been learning knife making, that moved me into blacksmithing, to then medieval armour making, and now trying to turn my hand to learning wood working, with the goal of becoming okay at joinery especially dove tails. But ive been going through all your classes and thorouhhly enjoying. Look8ng forward to buying some timber today to make my own saw that i watched you make thismorning. So i primarily need to tool up at the moment, so ive got to make a mallet, a marking guage and that wonderful saw. Im doing all this for 2 reasons, 1. To keep my mental health in a good place and 2. To learn as much different things i can so im able to teach my young son as many different skills i can. I thank you for taking the time to make these classes and i look forward to going from a clueless newbie to a reasonable wood worker, but using as many old school skills and tools i can. Thank you. Youre wonderful at teaching and explaining everything you do.......

I love your vids. I dig the saw sharpening, straightening and setting vids, but since I acquired a few handsaws recently, I would love to see a full saw restoration video! I have surface rust, a cracked handle and missing bolts.

As usual, a fantastic and explicit video, loved the secondary bevel idea.

Thanks for this Paul, I was able to use this info along with a video from another channel, to restore an old handsaw a neighbor was throwing out; hoping it's going to be a good tool going forward.

Very informative video. Thanks alot Sir!

great vid, it has helped me no end in getting my saws back in top order. Many thanks for taking the time to record and post this. Regards Matt

Thanks for the knowledge,the many saws I have will finally enjoy new life because of this.

Thanks. You answered a lot of questions. I'm thinking of going all hand tools, and knowing how to keep em sharp is essential.

I tried and it works for me!!!!!!!! 🤗 Thanks Mr. Paul and greets from the Netherlands

A brilliant set of vids keep up the good work

Thank you for the video, I found it helpful. I've used what you refer to as a micro bevel, I got the idea from looking at circular saw blades.

Handy and helpful information - takes the mystery out of it - thanks much!

Thanks for the video. I'm a carpenter joiner and my grandfather taught me to sharpen my saws and his methods were a bit different and simpler than yours. There are many details I never knew or thought of that you have addressed and I will be adding them to my sharpening methods from now on. Thanks again.

My god you've got some knowledge and kit, wow, it never ceases to amaze me the stuff you've got. Another fantastic video, you are a true master craftsman!!!

Awesome, thankyou for this video…. I have always wondered the right way to sharpen a hand saw, and now I know… cool.

Thank you so much Paul I learned from you a lot!

Inspiring and good teacher. Thank you.

Superb. Very accurate explanation. Thank you.

Absolutely fantastic video :) I've learned a lot. Thank you.