A few months ago, I got an email out of nowhere from Mark Harrell of BadAxeTool fame. In case you live under a table saw shaped rock and have never heard of him, Mark is the owner and saw smith behind the amazing Bad Axe Saws. His saws are the latest rage in Galootopolis, and if you’ve ever had the pleasure of using a Bad Axe, then you know why…they are astounding saws. Chris Schwarz just wrote up a great review of Mark’s saws in the Fine Tool Journal that Wiktor Kuc was good enough to re-publish on his site here.
Anyway, after some initial emailing, Mark and I agreed to conduct a trade (in order to better gauge each others skills!) 😉 Mark sent me his new hybrid dovetail/tenon saw, and I sent him a nice 1880s vintage Disston D-8 rip saw (Mark’s favorite) that I had fully restored and sharpened up.
As soon as I received it, I was blown away by Mark’s saw…it has quickly become one of my go to back saws. And, much to my satisfaction, Mark was as equally impressed with my work on his new Disston ripper.
But, the story doesn’t end there….
A couple of days ago, Mark asked me to help him out…it seems he’s been building quite a back log of vintage saw restoration work and now has a 10 to 12 week waiting time. Not wanting to lose faithful customers, he asked me to help him out….here’s a copy of the email…
“Matt, help! I have a boatload of Bad Axe saws to deliver, and my backlog of vintage saw work is getting bloated to ridiculousness—I’m telling my customers they have to wait 10-12 weeks, and that’s just stupid. You are a fabulous saw doc—can I shift some of this load onto your shoulders? Be sure to post this message on your blog, so folks know this is coming from me, and that you da man when it comes to making saws sticky-sharp! Thanks! ~ Mark”
So, without any further blathering on my part, I’m happy to announce that I will now be offering full hand saw sharpening and restoration services here through the Saw Blog!
This was an easy decision for me to make, as many of you have been inquiring lately and my plan was to begin offering services soon anyway….Mark just has a knack for being persuasive enough to get me to fast forward my time-table a bit. 😉 And in addition to sharpening and restoration services, I’ll soon be offering fully restored and sharpened vintage hand saws for sale through the blog as well….stay tuned for more on that later.
For those re-directed here from Mark’s site, or my own readers and any one looking for saw sharpening and restoration, here is a quick listing of my rates. If you are interested or have questions, please email me at jcustomwoodwork@hotmail.com. One day soon, I will get around to launching a proper website and email link, but until then please email me at the above address.
My rates:
Basic saw sharpening: $35
This includes jointing, filing, setting and final sharpening
NOTE: For miter box saws, add $15.
Re-toothing: add $45
This is done entirely by hand and is an additional charge to the $35 noted above
Straightening saw plate: $25
This includes removing kinks and bends by smithing with a saw hammer
Saw tote repair: $30
This includes one repair of a break such as a broken horn, handle web, stress fracture or other break in the tote. For additional horn or repair, add $20.
Cleaning saw plate: $25
This includes rust removal, basic polishing to 400 grit and waxing. For heavy rust, additional polishing or resurrecting an etch, add $15.
Well, there you have it….feel free to email Mark as well with questions or contact me directly.
Right now, I’m offering a 1 to 2 week turnaround time for most saws…depending on the work.
As always, thanks for stopping by! 🙂
-Matt
Oh, and btw…here’s a pic of that saw I sent Mark…
The Saw Blog 
Well done, Matt! And thanks for the kind words, buddy. Hey everyone–Matt’s the real deal, and if you find that not to be true, then you can kick me in the sawnuts.
Matt,
Not strictly on topic but here goes… How much for some saw history detective work? A woodworking internet friend from NSW has a fine blog with a saw question. I thought of you right away!
http://gregdmiller.blogspot.com/2011/05/bargain-box-of-saws.html
Maybe you can comment on his post, and maybe your other readers will enjoy the other posts from Greg.
thanks
Cyrus
“A woodworking internet friend from NSW has a fine blog with a saw question”.
Hi Cyrus, Greg hails from Perth, Western Australia. He is a good bloke, and we are members of the same woodworking club. He has done some amazing work.
Matt .. all the very best for the new venture. I’d send you my saws … but the shipping costs might be a touch high 🙂
Regards from Perth
Derek
Hey Matt!
Congratulations on the saw restoration work you’ll be doing for Mark and others. I’m sure you can and will meet the challenge to equal Mark’s outstanding workmanship that he has so successfully built a very fine reputation around in a remarkably short time. Always good to see another fine saw doctor who can impressively restore the fine old saws that will never be made again and give them new life. It’s your passion that you have for handsaws in general that adds another dimension to the end result.
Good luck and success,
Marv
Hi Matt,
congratulations and best wishes for the job. I will put a link to this blog entry, soon.
One thought: You’re prices are quite low. When I sharpen saws for Customers, I don’t make an offer before I’ve seen the saw.
Cheers Pedder
A good point Peddar, but my setting rates is really a response to the industry standard. All of the guys I know that sharpen saws (except for Daryl Wier) post their rates on a website, so I need to stay competitive and do the same. Besides, i love to sharpen saws and it all comes out in the wash! 🙂
-Matt
Nice going, Matt – Quality and experience partner for a successful business.
I hope you’re prepared for the onslaught!
I can’t believe you gave up your beautiful old rip saw. Have one just like it and don’t think I could part with it. But I have read great things the badaxe combo rip/xcut. I’ve been practicing sharpening only for a few weeks and am trying to determine which rake and fleam works best. I love to saw but I saw both hard and soft woods. Following Pete Tarans guide I’m sharpening at 12 to 15 degrees rake and 20 degrees fleam. Do you know what Diston put on their saw back then? and what works best for you? Congratulations on the gig and enjoy the blog. d
Thanks Dana…a great question.
As far as rake and fleam angles, it depends on the saw. For me, I like anywhere from 0 to 10 degrees of rake for a rip saw and 15 degrees for a cross cut. For rip saws, the larger the teeth and harder the wood I’m cutting, I’ll relax teh rake accordingly. Generally, i file 6 point rips with 0 to 5 degrees, 5 point rips with 0 to 8 degrees and 4 and 1/2 with 4 to 10 degrees.
As far as fleam, on fine miter box saws and back saws, I like 20 degrees of fleam. For hand saws, 15 works well and stays sharp a good long time.
-Matt
Wow, Matt, this is very timely. I was just about to email you to ask if you were willing to do antique saw doctoring. 🙂
Ahhh,
Thus does the acolyte find great merit in the eyes of the master.
Nothing better than being asked to help, have your skills acknowledged, and getting a little buisness going too!
Oh and by the way, I posted a great interview with a new and upcoming Gunsmith, Jeremy Chan. Gunsmith Jeremy Chan. I see great work coming out of his shop, and well, I thought I would just throw it out there for y’all!
Best regards,
Albert “Afghanus” Rasch
The Rasch Outdoor Chronicles™
Extreme Wild Boar Hunting in Florida!
Hey Buddy way to go, I am excited for you and know you will do well. I really am enjoying that #7 that I got from you and what a beautiful job you did on that.
Steve
Thanks Steve…very glad to hear it!
-Matt
Matt-
Congratulations on your new endeavor! I wish you the best of luck. I don’t think you will lack for business with a ringing endorsement like Mark’s. I only hope that you can stay “sane” and don’t get overwhelmed. Keep up your passion for saws!
In case anyone is unconvinced, I will echo Mark’s recommendation- Matt is an expert saw doctor. I’ve seen his work and I’m impressed. He is one of only three people I would consider drop-shipping my customers’ saws to since I can be assured they will be happy with his work.
-Josh
Thanks Josh…..I appreciate it! 🙂
Matt
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