Sharpening a Crosscut Handsaw | Paul Sellers 

These skills are a dying art. This is the best sharpening demonstration I've seen yet.

I appreciate you taking the necessary time to explain this. Once and done.

As always, another great video. Not only did I learn proper technique for sharpening my saw, I also learned even the best craftsmen make mistakes! I love honesty in videos, thanks for leaving that part in. I always look forward to your next videos! Thank you, Sir, for sharing your experience and knowledge.

Hello Paul. I have been a Carpenter& Joiner for almost 50 years I still have my original saws I first bought as an apprentice at Browns of Wilmslow Cheshire I have lived in Australia over 30 years now and still use my saws which have become apart of me. and I still love to sharpen them. I have found your explanation video on saw sharpening and setting cross cuts and rip saws perhaps the best I have ever seen. Although these days of buy/ use and throw away saws has almost become the norm in the trade I have to admit having a resharpen able saw in your tool box is a lovely thing, to have and to hold and to cherish it evokes lovely memories for me and its special. Power tools are fantastic and do have an important place these days regarding time and labour and all that but working buy hand in the workshop and on site is something very satisfying. I am very glad I had the opportunity to experience this and it is something that has never left me. Thanks Paul for your smashing RU-vid videos Kind Regards Col Taylor

Buen trabajo Maestro Paul excelente enseñanza gracias por compartir sus conocimientos saludes desde Managua Nicaragua

Nice very clear picture demo with information thanks .

Kiitos hyvästä videosta. On mahtavaa oppia teroittamaan sahanterä.

Excellent teaching skills Paul. Thank you.

I sold tools for 23 years, both in a builders merchant and as a tool rep for a hand tool whole sales to DIY shops and other places. I have learnt more in watching your videos in a couple of nights than I ever did in those 23 years. Thank you Paul, I used to consider myself an expert but no longer, as I feel I knew very little until you taught me the right way of doing things with & to tools.

I was wondering when you were going to put this out! thanks for the info!

"You made a mistake...don't do it again." That’s the style of teaching I’m used to.

If anyone on the planet can make watching saw sharpening fun, it's Paul Sellers. Many thanks for taking the mystery out of this task. It's hard to imagine my dad used to drop his saws off for a "professional" sharpening.

gracias por este valioso tutorial y gracias a quien haga posible las traducciones

Paul, you are the best teacher, tutor, instructor, master...falling short of synonyms as English is not my first language. I have been pursuing woodworking as a hobby for over 30 years now, never went to any woodworking school, and learnt over eighty percent of what I know from your instructional videos. Before youtube it was a challenge to learn the skill solely by reading books. I wish I could actually become a student of yours to learn traditional woodworking. Kudos to you.

Awesome

Paul Sellers is simply a genius for non-nonsense practical approaches to this craft. The very simple idea of a couple of 1x2s joined with a screw and washer, with the fleam angle penciled in at intervals along the length, is so perfect, but I never would have thought of it. Sharpening a cross cut saw seems intimidating, but with this demonstration I'm sure even I can pull it off.

I find your videos not only educational but relaxing. No loud music, No flashing banners, no acting or asking for likes or subs, just getting on with it. What kind of file are you using and what size is it? The file I have wouldnt fit between the saw teeth.

That looks a lot easier than I expected:) but definitely a meditative concentration exercise. Thanks Paul

Paul, I just discovered your channel a couple of months ago. I'm amazed at your skill with hand tools. I have started making my own tools from your videos. Thank you for everything! Keep up the fantastic work and I will follow your videos for as long as you keep making them!

Hi Paul. Information on the angles of the files would help me a great deal. Any chance that could be a short? Thanks

Haha I loved that " you made a mistake just don't do it again" you sound like my highschool math teacher. If Someone did something wrong they would appolagize and he always said "i don't care if your sorry just don't do it again"

Sir your letter always blocked me, learn a lot from you. God bless you 🙏🙏

What file do you use for sharpening the saw?

Paul, I have been woodworking for 30 years and always sent my saws out. When I get back from my winter holiday, I am actually looking forward to sharpening my own saws. You have inspired me. Thanks very much for your teaching. I have an old backsaw that was given to me because it is in such bad shape. I am even going to try sharpening this one.

Thank you..!

Paul, with your demos; I was able to recreate the worn off teeth end of a small razor saw (4 1/2" blade) with small aluminum shims for clamping and a magnifying lens on a stand for soldering work. Amazing that it worked even though I could hardly see what was happening. I had to use a small sheet metal angle bracket to keep the file from jumping and moving side to side; and kept the file vertical.

“Feels nice and spiky.” 😂 God bless you, Paul.

This might be the fourth time I have watched this video in the last year or so (Covid Time!). I have been looking for an old affordable handsaw to compliment my growing set of (wood specific) hand tools. I recently pulled the trigger on an eBay lot that granted me half a dozen saw plates and a decent handle that plays well with the group. They are dang near brand new (at about 65 years old). I am STOKED to shape the teeth and let them Chew! Your rip cut sharpening and “re-teething” videos have allowed me to cut my first dovetails with my grandfather’s, and your bench plane videos let me return his #5 to service and build my nephew and desk with a hand joined top. Mr. Sellers, I can’t say Thanks enough to express my gratitude and appreciation for the generous presentation of your hard earned experience. Thank you for helping my nephew attend Virtual school at a workspace We built together; learning side by side under your tutelage. Cheers Mate! -Christopher Castor

This skill is becoming even more essential now. Finding a decent saw in a store is all but impossible these days. They all have stupidly long, dagger-like hardened teeth that make really nasty cuts.

Dear Paul, would you make a vertical cut with your hacksaw (like you shown previously)? TX again for sharing.

I just love your videos, they are so clear and helpful and encouraged me to recondition my old tools, plane and chisels first and now my saws. They are all 40 plus years old and kept in a damp garage/workshop along wiith my self made bench which will now be modified to include a tool tray. In these days of lockdown when I have "sorted" my garage ( i am both a DIYer and a classic car enthusiast so have both metal work and woodworking benches and too much?gear!! A question for you how can I tell with a rusty saw if I can resharpen it or whether has hardened tips?

just wondering what is the file that you are using.

Just a quick tip. If you pull the file towards you while on steel it damages the file by by bending down the cutting edge. Only use a file in the forward position and then lift and repeat and your file will last more than a day. Great video though.

Salam sukses om tutorial ini bagus sekali ppenelasanya sangat mudah di pahami ,,,

He's dragging his file back at the start of each stroke!! Wrong!!!! Why?? This is not the proper way to use a file!

So I recently came across a craftsman 20" miter saw and metal adjustable stand for it. After fiddling around with cleaning and oiling the moving parts I have begun to focus on the saw teeth. they are a mess. None of the teeth wwere level and not sharp at all. I have been watching and working on my rip saws but I have nothing set up as a crosscut. So if this saw is being used for mostly crosscut in the miter device I should be setting it up like this or as a rip? I had previously owned a Stanley plastic miter box with a smaller 14 backsaw style saw. The plastic miter box did not hold up in the weather. Second question... Should I make the 14" saw into a rip for tenon and dovetail work? As my shop evolves I am not sure what to do with things like the leftover blades. Thank you for your time.

Thank you Paul. A simple, straight forward method anyone can follow. I feel confident to try this myself now.

“Ahh...I lost my tooth”. This is the real thing here. Thanks Mr. Sellers

Thank you Mr. Sellers for an enjoyable and informative lesson on crosscut handsaw sharpening. My collection of useless saws now have a new lease on life and a place in my workshop.

My rip saw cuts SO MUCH better after watching your video. I bough a vintage crosscut saw (or three, lol) to try next! Thank you so much for the great info!

This bloke really knows his tuff .No fancy jigs .just solid know how.

Your videos bring a rank amateur out of the darkness and into the light...I cant thank you enough.

Thank you this has inspired me to re-sharpen my old Tyzac 22" as a rip saw and now it really cuts well! Used the progressive tooth rake as well, thanks again.

Thank you, first time sharpening a crosscut saw at least now I have the theory very clear, let's see the practice now hahaha

Always such great videos. God bless you Paul. Thanks so much.

How can you tell the difference between a crosscut and ripcut saw, when you suspect it might be so blunt the grind isn't visible?

Paul, one question I have is about the pressure you're maintaining with the file. You did note that you're filing the back of the tooth (which automatically gets the front of the adjacent tooth), but are you consciously keeping more pressure with the file against that back tooth? Or perhaps more pressure on the bottom of the gullet? Or are you trying to glide the file through with equal pressure on all three directions? Though the distinction may be subtle, I would think one's mental concentration would make a difference in the outcome.

Another important lesson learnt from the Great teacher. Thank you.

I've been doing this after watching your other saw sharpening videos, and I found it didn't require much precision to make a huge improvement to the saw. Just trying to imitate you gave really good results. I am pretty broke so my setup was a dull Stanley Sharptooth (hardened to be unable to be sharpened) and a super cheap ($2) triangle file. The file is destroyed by the time I sharpen the saw, but it works better than new. Safety glasses have had to be added because the overhardening of the teeth resulted in one tooth turning into a projectile, but the results have been awesome. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience.

Looking at Amazon for Bahco saw files there are at least 6 or more what is the best?

Me hubiera gustado que lo suban el vídeo en español

Thanks Paul! I have a Stanley cross cut saw, bought new about 25-30 years ago, that I have never liked. It just got worse as the years passed. It didn't cut well and always cut a beautiful curve, but never the same curve, haha! I removed the handle, reset the teeth with a punch, filed all the teeth. Many took several file strokes to get a full cut. I then sanded and refinished the handle. This is now my favorite saw, it never worked this good new! I really enjoy your videos as I am making the transition back to hand tools from power tools. Thank you!

The noise is horrible I have to put my ear defenders when doing this job.

tbh I always though that the difference on the blade was because one was for soft wood and the other for hard wood (Learned from my old carpenter dad LOL)

Haha, just came from another video where the guy was taking about a minute per tooth to sharpen his saw.

This makes me believe I can sharpen my old saws

Very good explanations,mr Paul,thanks !

I remember years ago 10 mins sharpening time they were a menace when hardpoints came along it revolutionised things mush sharper and as long as you dont lay them down on a hard surface last ages mine went in the bin couldnt sell them.

I wanted to sharpen my saw and because of the poor lighting in my shed I ruined my saw. Instead of filing in the right way I did the opposite!!? How can I correct myterrible mistake? :(

Paul, what grade file is that? Trying to buy one, but I’m not sure how coarse or fine the file you’re using is. Thanks.

I thought the teeth it's had to be "pointed" or evened out with a flat file prior to sharpening with a triangular file. Is that only done on a rip configuration or not needed at all? Also do the teeth need to be reset with a saw set?

Thank you for a very informative video! I can proficiently sharpen a rip saw and have always struggled with the crosscut. Every time I try to file CC it’s like I am filing a tooth away with the angled file. Tried using less fleam angle smaller files with no luck. Not sure if the above explanation makes sense? But any help or suggestions will be much appreciated!

I inherited my Dad's 7 point crosscut saw. It is a Diston and I would very much like to keep it in usable condition. The grip is in need or work and the teeth, while sharp, are not even. My Dad used this saw for over 40 years and he always sharpened it himself. What can I or should I do to restore it and can I do anything about the grip?

Brilliant thank you Paul

Paul do you use a particular brand of file?

Almost put me to sleep around the 8 minute mark. : -) I hope to be able to get a rhythm like that going while sharpening in the future.

Hi ,i looking for blade to wright blade saw model 100,where i find it

This is from Chilpancingo Mex. A grate video Sr. I thank you. If you can, teach us how we made reside the thee in this type of sow, please. Thanks a lot again!!!!

This video was very helpful. Thanks for the instructions. Regards, Briz

After doing some research, the Bahco files have incredibly confusing product numbers and descriptions. Any help with that?

Very helpful tutorial, exspecially explaining how to file which tooth and the correct angle,i was tought to angle the file 15 deg back towards the handle 2 to 3 strokes of the file,some people have a triangular shaped handle to assist with keeping the file top flat, great video, Thanks.

Great vid Paul! Which large crosscut and rip saws do you advise everyone have? Tooth size that is.

Did he ever say what kind of file to use? Because I got worn out waiting for that one piece of information and stopped watching.

Many thanks for the tutorial Paul,nothing like a sharp tool to make a carpenter happy ,Cheers

Hi Paul, very informative video. How often would you need to correct the set on the teeth?

Paul Sellers (Unofficial) Facebook Fan Page: @t

Dear sir, I have a cross cut hand saw and in sentiments of keeping as inheritance from my grandpapa i would like to ask, How to repair a broken tooth midsaw as i want to keep this saw. Your guidance will be helpful sir Regds Percy

Very carefully, with gloves ....

Hoping someone can give me some advice (without actually seeing what I'm doing). When I try to file one side, then the other, I always seem to end up with all the teeth on one side shorter than the other... Anyone else have this happen? Is there an adjustment I can make to prevent this from happening? Thanks in advance

Thanks for this, I have an old backsaw I bought in 1973 I need to sharpen and I just don't trust a lot of people on this.

Hi Paul. I must admit to my lack of knowledge when it comes to saw sharpening and more so on the selection of the correct files. Having watched you excellent video's on saw maintenance I would like to sharpen my hand saws. Can you advise on the correct type and size files please. Richard Power.

Awesome Tutorial, I'm happy I stumbled on your channel.

Got the motivation to sharpen my hand saws now, instead of buying new ones. What Bahco file do you recommend for a standard/Bahco carpenters handsaw?

I've seen a number of saws where the teeth appear to be heat treated in some way, I suspect they're hardened. Do these sharpen well or is the file likely to just skate over the teeth?

Кто хоть сейчас напильниками точит ,уж давно надфилями алмазными...

Thank you for the inspiration to finally getting a saw that I can sharpen myself.

What bothers me about this is that there is no mention of rake angle.

Does the file size coincide with the number of teeth per lineal inch or are the teeth the same angle from saw to saw? I may have just answered my own question..

Thanks for posting - very helpful. Looks like your file is dry; would putting a drop of oil on the file be detrimental?

Thanks just sharpened my saw

Great video Paul, very informative yet relaxing. One question I have though: Why do you sharpen the back of the tooth, and not just the cutting face? It seems a bit counter-intuitive to me, would you mind explaining it?

Good job Master thank you

What about topping and setting?

Great very clearly presented.

Thanks for tutorial ...

good video.

this guy is the jesus Christ of carpentry, I love it

Terimakasih mister paul ..

Thank you so much!

Thank you.