Michael wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@googlegroups.com:
I had the little bow saw out tonight, and noticed the teeth are sharpened simply and very much like a hand saw. Grab a file, put on some music and just follow the angle. You may want to put just the blade in a vise, but whatever works.
Puckdropper
The problem with "modern" bow saw blades is that most if not all of them have hardened teeth, i.e., they are throw aways.
Since you brought it up, I'm curious. What about hand saws (and tree saws) like you would find in a big-box store. Same thing (i.e. hardened teeth)? How about their expensive counterparts sold by the likes of Veritas Tools, etc.
Bill
I've seen both... but the majority I've check on have hardened teeth.
I pulled up the Stihl site and they have this message on some of the pruning saw listings "Impulse-hardened blades cannot be sharpened." The impulse hardened blade appears on their $89 saw as well as others... Other Stihl pages list the blades as being chromed or nickeled which would seem to preclude sharpening... but perhaps not.
I've seen both... but the majority I've check on have hardened teeth.
I pulled up the Stihl site and they have this message on some of the pruning saw listings "Impulse-hardened blades cannot be sharpened." The impulse hardened blade appears on their $89 saw as well as others... Other Stihl pages list the blades as being chromed or nickeled which would seem to preclude sharpening... but perhaps not.
P.S. this isn't necessarily a bad thing for around the house use as my Snap-Cut pole saw/lopper is over 20 years old and it still cuts just fine. If I used it daily in a professional capacity that would be OK too as the blades are easily changed and are still available.
With a diamond file you can sharpen just about anything (I've sharpened ceramic knives with one) but you're going to cut through the plating or hardened case and then you may be cutting with some pretty soft metal.
Well no, no need to change or buy a special purpose blade for that. I always used a bow saw for branches too big for a standard tree pruner. I bought a package of mixed Milwaukee blades for my recip saw and it had the pruner blade in the mix. The thing is scary sharp, you have to be careful just picking it up. I won't say it was jaw dropping but close, and I haven't touched the bow saw since using it.
I have a lot of trees that needed pruning and I always did the minimum needed. This blade made it easy, actually fun, so there hasn't been any pruning not done since using this saw. In fact a row of about 25 old pine trees I loped off all the bottom branches up to about 8-10 feet. The blade cuts so effortlessly, batteries last a long time.
Always a bonus when you get an assortment with a blade that you think you may not use but find it to be a great blade when you do use it. ;~)
Given the correct tool work does become less tedious, kinda like I don't mind sanding these days. ;~)
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