Saw Nibs Explained 

I have been collecting information on saw nibs all during my 50 years of woodworking journalism. This is probably because it involves one of my oldest woodworking memories - my grandfather teaching me to use a hand saw. So I tend to read and watch info on nibs when I run across it. Consequently, there is a lot more I could have said if I had known there was so much interest in such an obscure subject. And one of the first things I would have said is that, by far, the best research on this subject appeared in an article in the ToolShed, June 2005, by Jim Packham. In it, Jim listed all the many explanations he had run across for saw nibs: 1. Maker or starter tooth, 2. Used to describe an arc, 3. Clean sawdust from a cut, 4. Sighting like the sight on a rifle, 5. Retain a sheath string, 6. Clapboard Gauge for narrow siding, 7. Hook to retrieve cut-off pieces out of reach, 8. Hook to pull lumber toward you on a saw horse, 9. Used to obtain the correct angle for filing, 10. Notch the size of teeth for filing guide, 11. Vestige of handle locking notch for pit saws, 12. Facilitate the slitting of decorative metal panels, 13. Remove nails in broken slate, 14. Practice tooth for saw filer, to check steel hardness, 15. Holds blade during acid bath pickling, 16. Vestige of hook originally used for pruning, 17. Sight to avoid pulling back too far, 18. No function whatever, 19. Vestige of the decoration on early Dutch saws. Note that my grandfather’s wisdom is #17 on that list. And, as Jim explains, the prevailing notion that the nib is ornamental -- #19 - seems to have come from Henry Disston himself, one of the most prolific makers of hand saws in the 19th century. That’s a pretty good primary source. And it’s evolved into what could be considered explanation #20 - the decorative nib indicates the quality of the saw metal and its smithing. Some even suggest that potential customers might have filed it or bent it to be sure the steel was up to snuff. Let’s ignore the absurdity of a toolmaker allowing potential customers to damage a saw before buying it, and just look at the nibs. It’s difficult to see them as decorative. A very few have some ornamental pizzazz, but on the 1896 Disston No. 12 that I show, it’s just a protrusion. On a vintage W&S Butcher rip saw I have from England, the nib is a simple half-round bump. If these were meant to impress, they fail miserably. They look, well -- utilitarian. And they do little to indicate the quality of the steel or the toolmaker’s skill. These saw plates began as ingots that, while still hot, were rolled out into sheets, trimmed, and the teeth cut. The plate blanks were then hardened, tempered, flattened, tensioned, and polished. The better plates were “blocked,” a process in which a skilled smith corrects small irregularities with a lignum vitae mallet. Finally, the teeth were set and sharpened. (If you’d like a better idea of just how involved this process was, see: www.disstonianinstitute.com/factorytour.html .) None of this can be divined by inspecting, filing, or bending a nib. To this day, perhaps the best indicator of saw quality is to slightly bend the plate and strike it with a wooden mallet. It should ring long and clear. There is a reason that flattening, tensioning, and blocking are sometimes referred to as “tuning” a saw. But the proponents of #20 may be half right; nibs might indicate quality indirectly. Give the enormous amount of work that went into making a fine hand saw and the resulting expense, you can easily imagine that a toolmaker may have thoughtfully provided customers with a way to protect their investment. After reading Jim’s article and following up with some of the sources he cited, I am inclined to believe that #5 is the most likely explanation for the original purpose of the nib. Circa 1600, when this form of hand saw first developed, it was a hook to keep the front tie of a sheath from slipping off the front of the saw. We all use sheaths, chisel rolls, and felt-lined surfaces to protect the teeth, blades, and irons we have worked so hard to sharpen. It’s very likely that craftsmen in days gone by would have attempted to sheath their saws, found that ties slipped off the end, and filed a notch near the front to capture the tie. Notches, however, aren’t the best solution. A tie can easily slip out of a shallow notch; deep notches would weaken the saw plate. Sawmakers would have known this, and likely included a nib in their saws for that purpose. Nibs take time and energy to make, however, which helps to explain why only the best saws had them - the old Disston that I am using in the video was top of the line in its time. And it would also help explain why nibs eventually died out. As circular saws became our primary cutting tools, hand saws were relegated to back-ups, and the need for high-quality hand saws evaporated along with their nibs. I am inclined to think my grandfather’s explanation was a “found” or "evolved" purpose - something that was already there and craftsmen found they could employ to teach a young person to use a hand saw properly. That moment with my grandfather was a great story and something I could squeeze into a minute. I couldn’t possibly have put all of what I just related in a short or have anticipated there was enough interest in this arcane and enigmatic topic to rate more than a short. If you’re really interested in divining the purpose of nibs, read Jim Packham’s article. The ToolShed has kindly made it available as a free PDF: craftsofnj.org/tool-shed/tool-shed-issues. And if you’re interested in teaching your grandson or granddaughter to properly use a hand saw, look for an old saw with a nib.

I once heard that a nib on a saw is to display and mark the quality of steel and craftsmanship used for a particular saw. If the steel is of quality and the precision of the blade is of.good craftsmanship, they display a special nib to show the time that went into it. I never quite believed that was the case, but I never heard otherwise until now. I love the content, keep them coming!

Yaknow, with all the explanations ive heard.. maybe the real saw nib was the friends we made along the way

They really went and put an iron sight on the old saws

I gotta say, the shot of the dog seemingly below the saw spooked me for a second there.

It's nice to see that Pinocchio's dad is still alive and well 😁

I love that every single video telling you what these nibs are for has a wildly different explanation.

My grandfather taught me about saw nibs when I was just a little fella back in the 70s. He had many saws with them and the ones that didn't, he would grind a notch in a few inches from the end so you could use it the same way. As a result, I am now in the habit of notching my saws in the same fashion. It is very helpful to have a referance point so you can focus more on your accuracy at speed and not worry about jumping the saw and marring the finnish, gouging it or even kinking or breaking your saw.

This is the third reasonable explanation I have seen on RU-vid for the saw nibs.

When i started my 9000hr apprenticeship as a “carpenter & joiner” about 56yrs ago we used handsaw’s much of the time when building a house. It was most likely the first time the foreman saw me using my brand new Diston (6pt framing saw) he showed me all the basics and then said “you paid for all those teeth you might as well use them”…

Once in a while I actually learn something on RU-vid. Thanks for the video

Geppetto is very knowledgeable when it comes to woodworking. Hands down no lie he is the best.

The saw horse looked stable but the saw dog looked nervous.

Bro just differenciated a schimitar and a kukri offhandedly. instant subscribe.

don’t ever care about that saw, but the man made me feel like I was safe with my grandpa

I can't explain it, but you have a wonderful voice for a mentor figure in a movie or something.

This is the fourth different explanation on the saw nib I’ve seen in the last few months and I’m not even a craftsman of any sort

Just found your channel and i dont know why but you exude an aura of crafty wisdom

“Backward scimitar…a kukri!” This really tickled me, and I haven’t even looked the words up yet. 😂

This is important because all my WWI era back scratchers are worn out only in the middle. Now I gotta use a WWI saw but I'm not making that mistake this time.

I was told its a sign of craftsmanship. Saws were not only hand forged but filed with teeth as well. All by hand, so it showed people "hey, I was made by a man with great skill"

My grandpa and great grandpa called it a saw sight. Thanks for the content, helped me remember that!

Sir I love your clips. It rakes me back to my grandfathers joinery. Our forbears were REAL CRAFTSMEN, so very few with the knowledge are left!

I swear grandfathers hold the eternal knowledge to the universe.

I thought it had no use, I was such a nib

This vid has been randomly shown to me a dozen or so times. I love it.

i like the way you brought out the sword and knife knowledge

I’m a chippy of 25 years being a Carpenter this guy makes me really miss my Grandpa he taught me so much and was a real character like this guy . I’m subbing for sure

that doggo is such a good boy, fighting the urge to go for the blade each time it appears :)

I didn't know saw nib RU-vid shorts would be such a journey of discovery and enlightenment.

Love obscure information like this. Thank you!

What a delightful serendipity - even the music is perfect.

I swear he was about to saw that dog in half😭

I love his voice and explanation of things. I'm learning things AND I'm relaxed. Very cool.

I really like how concise and informative these videos you've produced are. It's an amazing learning format.

❤ not only historical information but also helpful to prevent bad habits that damage the tool

Thanks for the insight. Your shop dog is the star of this video!

I have no freaking interest in woodworking or saws but dang this dude's amazing.

RU-vid has decreed that I watch a second one of your short videos. I have no interest in woodworking and I did not do well in shop class in junior high school. I am still going to subscribe and watch all of your videos.

Your creativity is through the roof!

For whatever reason I instantly subscribed to this man.

The nib is there to enhance the sound the saw makes when played as a musical instrument.

I’ve never done a single piece of diy in my life but I love your videos for the expertise and education ❤

Never knew this and I worked as a carpenter for 7 years lol! Using the whole saw produces a better cut by far, this is a great video

I never used a saw with a nib but was taught to use the whole saw. I found this very interesting because it is difficult to see the end of the saw blade.

This makes a lot of sense! Thank you for passing it on.

Best explanation I've heard yet. Good.

I've seen dozens of people assume what it is, but your explanation makes the most sense and is even the most simplistic. "It's for starting cuts" said one guy and I'm like but you can just use the teeth of the saw to start a cut you don't need the nib for that.

I literally heard the other day on a video someone else claim to have the right answer.... he said depending on how intricate the nib is; shows the craftsmanship and skill of the saw maker. . . . Must say; this explanation sounds the most accurate.

The kind of information I didn't know I needed.

Best info on the nib I've seen makes the most sense.

Absolutely fascinating!

I'm just a DIY guy & the idea about it being a focal thing makes sense. On the front of some snow skis there is also a nib, albeit much larger, being there so you could see the front of your skis when skiing thru powder. 🙏💓

Good to know, I saw a video that said it was basically a signature for the craftsman who made the saw.

Thanks. I wish I had saws that old. I already knew to use the whole saw. My reminder is that you do not work as hard. The hardest work is changing directions, but the most actual work, or cutting, gets done with long strokes. Long strokes means changing directions fewer times so ultimately less physical labor goes into each cut. Since I know how to sharpen a saw blade and worked in a sharpening shop, I am well aware of just how quickly blades wear out when they are used a lot. Sharpening shop is mostly circular blades, but they also demonstrated getting smaller faster. Hand saws still last a very long time because they are used less. You have such a great example, having a pre WW1 hand saw! I love old tools!

Good sir I am not in woodworking but I can appreciate the art. Your shorts helped a good friend of mine who is into woodworking!

Best explanation I have seen.

Next question: why did the nibs disappear?

Glad to see Belle's father is well since being released from the castle.

Thank you. Simple explanation but very useful.

Hearing a kukri be called a backwards scimitar was beautiful

I can honestly tell you that the nibs are not just decorative but it was a selling point, a makers mark. This would tell you how skilled the artisan was.

Doggo is entranced by the lesson. Awesome video.

I love how the dog looks mesmerized by the explanation of this man

Bro, I just casually found a wood wizard on youtube. wtf?

It’s a quality assurance “if I can make this little nib and you can’t snap it off, you’re not gonna snap my teeth”

Finally a proper craftsman. He knows that a rule is a rule not a ruler.

Now THAT is the best bench dog EVER! Dogs are such wonderful beings…

I love this guy

I do remember the phrase: haven't you paid for the entire saw then? I assumed it was more to do with the efficient use, you basically do more sawing in an hour if you use the entire blade... didn't think about the argument of wear and tear, thanks.

This guy is like a cheat code on carpentry class

Of all of the explanations the internet has to offer on these little spectacles, I believe yours. Because it came from you.

What happened is doughboys returning to the States brought back French saws, which had risque drawings of Can Can dancers on them, but were nibless. The dancers of course outweighed any benefits from nibs. A lot of people don’t know this. (I think your grandfather was a great guy, but I think those nibs are more likely to be decorations or scribes.)

It was also a way for the blade's craftsman to show his ability to do fine-detail work, so the nibs could, at times, be very fancy & intricate-looking...these are probably the point of nibs on other devices like pocket watches & back scratchers.

My violin teacher did basically the same thing for our orchestra. She would put little pieces if white tape at the ends of our bows and said “push till you get to the tape” to make sure we’re using the whole bow (when the music calls for it) Kind of cool how crafts overlap like that. 2 very different practices using the same tricks to accomplish the same thing.

that dog was so interested

I was told by an old fellow when I was a lad, I’m 56 now. He said you pay for the whole saw so use the whole saw. There’s wisdom there if you take the time to listen

And he’s wondering why his dog only has 3 legs.

Great bit of information and wholesome to boot.

Thank you mystery workshop man, may the algorithm bless me with your content in the future.

Yeah that's correct; I didn't know there weren't any hand woodworkers anymore. I evin complained about this in my 30's when I needed a new saw. I couldn't find one with a nib

It was also a signature of sorts… if the smith could make an intricate nib, it showed his capability

I love your videos. Always educational and entertaining.

For about a fraction of a second, I actually thought the dog was in the path of the saw.

FINALLY; Someone who knows. I have seen many videos asking this question. Now we all know that the Saw Nib has nothing to do with the quality of the saw.

I can see this man has that strength. Sawing through wood while talking like he's having a cup of coffee with friends or a beer

That dog looked ready to jump for the saw lol

I would love to listen to this guy teach literally any class he seems like santa and its lovely how he talks

Far better explanation than "they did it because they could"

My grandfather was a master finish carpenter, he died when I was 13. One of the few things he taught me before he died was pay for the whole tool, use the whole tool. Cut with every tooth.

The pup under the table reminded me of the term "underdog" as it is used here in Australia. Now use in sports as the individual / team that is not the favourite but it actually emanated from old days in the timber getting industry. Once a tree was felled that required further sawing a pit would exist where a sawyer was required to go into the pit and operate the lowed end of the crosscut. (No steam driven circular saws in the bush then). He became the underdog because he copped all the dust and crap from above.

WHY IS THIS SO GOOD

"You pull back until you see the nib" > Proceeds to saw several inches past the nib every single time

This explanation makes the most sense of all the other reasons I've heard. I wonder if you made this video as a not of a response to wood by wright (James Wright). Thanks for sharing your knowledge!

Thought the dog was under the saw for a second 😂

I worked in a used and new hardware tool store for 35 years. I even taught classes in ancient tools. I did not know this !!! THANK YOU🏆🏆🏆🏆

It also served as a testimony to the skill and craftsmanship of the maker. If you can make a nib, you can make a sawblade.

Good to know the dogs paying attention.

Youre an incredibly likable person and I hope you have a good day, week, month and so on

Informative and wholesome, love it!