Misc. Shop Stuff #12: Atkins 'Floral' Handsaw Refurb

Wow, what a beautiful handle, Smitty. Are you hoping to salvage that one, or use it as a model for a new one? Sorry, I don’t have anything constructive to offer by way of identification.

-- "hold fast to that which is good"

I intend to repair! I like it alot, the unusual caught my eye. Thanks!

-- Don't anthropomorphize your handplanes. They hate it when you do that. -- OldTools Archive

May have found it on etsy…

Search for ‘floral’ handsaw found this description:

“saw was made by the E. C. Atkins Co. of Indianapolis, Indiana, in the late 1800’s. The rosewood or applewood handle has beautiful floral carvings. The blade measures just over 18”

-- Don't anthropomorphize your handplanes. They hate it when you do that. -- OldTools Archive

Good handle picture from ebay listing…

-- Don't anthropomorphize your handplanes. They hate it when you do that. -- OldTools Archive

Hmmm, close. Yours MIGHT be a later edition. Note the heel of the plate, these two have a cure to them, while yours is dead-ass straight down. I’d say first ebay pix would the “Type #1” second pix would be a “Type #2” and yours MIGHT be a “Type #3”. Note the carvings, as well. One seems to be carved in, the other two seem raised up. (shadows, maybe?) I do know that some companies pressed a pattern onto the tote. Stanley ones went into the wood, ala the Keystone brand. Yours being a WS, might have been “pressed” into service.

Otherwise, looks like a match to me…

-- A Planer? I'M the planer, this is what I use

A WS saw, full size at 26” long, on the left. Tote look close. Cleaned up into an Atkins saw

My “other” Atkins saw ( the one I kept for the shop) plate went right down to a sharp point. Was sharpened so many times, by several people, that there wasn’t much left. Wound up cutting about 3-4” off the toe, now its a good “toolbox saw”.

Now, IF you should see this guy about and about ( WS &M 28” long) let me know, I sold this little guy for about $30 last summer, after buying it for a buck….

-- A Planer? I'M the planer, this is what I use

I hope you repair it, I would be very interested to see how you could make good with so many cracks and much of the original handle missing.

Good luck with it Smitty

-- No one plans to fail, they just, just fail to plan

Hi Smitty,
How does this compare? I got this over the summer. Still need to clean it up.

If you want somle measurements let me know. I’m still trying to decide if the handle carving is a carving or stamped in. It looks stamped to me.
Jim

-- Jim, Long Island, NY Ancorayachtservice.com home of the chain leg vise

Jim, that is a BEAUTY! Thanks for the pic, it’ll help me shape the upper horn on my refurb (such that it is).

FWIW, I think it’s stamped, too.

Mine’s missing an original medallion, unfortunately. I have a 26” blade to retrofit to the finished handle, and that’s what text I’ve seen says the saw shipped with.

Thanks again!

-- Don't anthropomorphize your handplanes. They hate it when you do that. -- OldTools Archive

Smitty…. Would you like me to trace the handle for you, or photograph with a rule so you can scale it?
Jim

-- Jim, Long Island, NY Ancorayachtservice.com home of the chain leg vise

I’m close…. (!)

-- Don't anthropomorphize your handplanes. They hate it when you do that. -- OldTools Archive

I can’t believe how much better it looks already. I wasn’t sure it was salvageable, but you’ve made me a believer.

-- There is nothing like the sound of a well tuned hand plane. - http://timetestedtools.wordpress.com (timetestedtools at hotmail dot c0m)

Tools of the trade…

-- Don't anthropomorphize your handplanes. They hate it when you do that. -- OldTools Archive

Progress. Time for breakfast…

-- Don't anthropomorphize your handplanes. They hate it when you do that. -- OldTools Archive

Need to fix the piece missing at the medallion, but the horn is looking good at this point.

-- Don't anthropomorphize your handplanes. They hate it when you do that. -- OldTools Archive