A natural, durable finish with minimal coats and fuss popular among woodworkers, flooring professionals, and furniture makers
Articles Forums Gallery Marketplace Videos

WoodCentral Forums

Est. 1998 — 27 years of woodworking knowledge

Build Homes for Homeless Birds – Complete Plans & Cutting Lists. Easy, attractive designs that actually work. Download today!

$10 Blue Blade Saws...where'd they go?

Posts

$10 Blue Blade Saws...where'd they go?

#1

$10 Blue Blade Saws...where'd they go?

Joe Hurst

>'Morning All-

Am I starting to show my age? Would the same "practice" dovetail saw now cost $100 in today's dollars?

Seriously, I recently visited my local high school's woodshop, and was taken aback by the lack of basic tools. I gave them a few scrapers (does anyone else remember wasting the semester with the jitterbug sander?) and an older #5, but I'd also like to buy them a few fresh handsaws so that they can discover that the chopsaw is not king.

I bought my first blue blade from Peter Korn, but that was a few years ago...do they still make 'em? Perhaps there's a modern day equivalent (Hey, Rob Lee: Can you suggest an all-purpose saw for student use, perhaps a cousin to the veritable "American Boy" block plane?)

Of course, price is paramount...I plan to donate the check I earned from a "best tips" entry (thanks, Chris)...but I don't want to break the bank. Considering the size of the class, 4 decent saws would be better than one Cadillac.

Thanks for letting me ramble. I plan to send pictures of the student's work later this semester.

-Joe Hurst-Wajszczuk

Re: $10 Blue Blade Saws...where'd they go?

#2

Re: $10 Blue Blade Saws...where'd they go?

Adam Cherubini

>I think that's great what you are doing. I think you are looking for a Crown Gent's saw. You should be able to get these at Woodcraft. My advice is to just kiss them with a file, filing in from both sides. Mine came with an unacceptable burr on one side. I think that's a real nice gift.

Adam

Re: $10 Blue Blade Saws...where'd they go?

#3

Re: $10 Blue Blade Saws...where'd they go?

Joel

>You are thinking about the old Kunz dovetail saw - the same one I trained on. Kunz doesn't make them anymore. I think the original saw was made by Eberle in Germany - they don't make them anymore. Crown, Pax and a few other companies sell respectable versions of the same saw (which we carry) but they are not as good the old Kunz. I have a couple in my toolbox - I think they were 6 bucks about 15 years ago.

Re: $10 Blue Blade Saws...where'd they go?

#4

Thanks, Mike!

Joe Hurst

>All-

Just wanted to let you all know that earlier this morning, I received an email from Mike Wenzloff, and was given a link to a fellow who might (still) have a few for sale. With luck, I just might get the 4 that I was shooting for...and get this...at the old price.

Admittedly, I've grown somewhat particular about the tools I use (I'll probably use the next check to buy one of Mike's tenon kits...I'm no saint!), but I think the old Erberle's are perhaps the perfect saw to start with. Heck, if they were good enough for Peter Korn and Will Neptune, they're good enough for us.

Having once worked as a ww'ing ed (and sometimes still), I've met dozens of ww'ers who cut their teeth in shop class before they went pro. I'm afraid that there won't be anyone around to write the books and magazines for me, when I'm old and grey. One can flip through old issues only so many times.

It's energizing to see how the community (and e-community) is coming together to help these kids. Thanks again.

-Joe

👍 This page answered my questions

Your vote helps other woodworkers quickly find the answers and techniques that actually work in the shop.