From time to time, I make woodworking resolutions.  Maybe “resolution” isn’t the correct work; perhaps “aspiration” is more appropriate.  A less pedantic version of me would just say “goal”.

My most recent woodworking resolution is using my crosscut tenon saw more often.  Which is secret code for “learn to sharpen my crosscut tenon saw better”.

I put these lines on the new saw vise for a reason…

For some time now, I’ve relied almost exclusively on rip-pattern saws for both ripping and crosscutting.  It’s true that crosscutting with a rip-pattern saw leaves a ragged edge, but most cross-grain cuts also get a knife-line (or gauge-line) to establish a clean shoulder.  Any raggedness from the saw sits below the visible shoulder line (or is cleaned up when paring to said line).  And I’ve gotten quite good at rip-pattern sharpening, making it even more efficient.

But crosscut saws exist for a reason.  The different tooth geometry really does matter in some applications (e.g., through dadoes).  So I am retraining myself to sharpen a crosscut-pattern.  I have a feeling there will be some tooth jointing in my future.

JPG