Galoots,

I just stumbled upon an old EC Atkins saw, just like that! :)

12", It has a fruit wood handle, brass screws and medaillon. But it
doesn't seem to have any marking on the spine. Does anyone know if it
should have one?
I don't have any to compare with.

Thanks,
Chris

Chris wrote:

>I just stumbled upon an old EC Atkins saw, just like that! :)
>
>12", It has a fruit wood handle, brass screws and medaillon. But it
>doesn't seem to have any marking on the spine. Does anyone know if it
>should have one?

What do you mean "on the spine"?  Most saws will have etches on the 
side of the blade (generally the left side).  Backsaws do have a 
spine and sometimes but not always have something stamped on the 
spine.  (You didn't say whether it is a backsaw.)  Generally these 
stampings would also be on the left side and near the middle.

Even the stamped ones will still have etched information.  Even when 
there is rust you can bring them up if you are careful.  Since the 
etches go into the blade a very small ways you don't want to be 
aggressive.  I believe Patrick Leach used to recommend using a razor 
blade and oil. I've had decent luck using a not very aggressive 
sharpening stone lying flat on the blade while the blade is evenly 
supported from behind.

FWIW.
-Mark

Mark van Roojen
POB 83836
Lincoln, NE 68501-3836
(402) 438-3724  (h)
Webpage: www.mvr1.com

Hi Chris,

> On Jan 8, 2023, at 21:35 , Christian Gagneraud  wrote:
> 
> Galoots,
> 
> I just stumbled upon an old EC Atkins saw, just like that! :)
> 
> 12", It has a fruit wood handle, brass screws and medaillon. But it
> doesn't seem to have any marking on the spine. Does anyone know if it
> should have one?
> I don't have any to compare with.

I have an Atkins 10" backsaw with an apple handle, brass hardware,
and steel spine. I just ran out to my shop to confirm: no markings
on the spine, and I'm pretty certain it's original, as my saw looked
as if it had been ruined on a nail and then put away for 80 years.

Nice find! I inherited some Atkins saws from my grandpa, and they're
good saws, but the etches are very light.

Adam 
(also distracted by the wireless in the shop, and now late for work)

On Tue, 10 Jan 2023 at 04:22, Mark van Roojen  wrote:
>
> Chris wrote:
>
> >I just stumbled upon an old EC Atkins saw, just like that! :)
> >
> >12", It has a fruit wood handle, brass screws and medaillon. But it
> >doesn't seem to have any marking on the spine. Does anyone know if it
> >should have one?
>
> What do you mean "on the spine"?  Most saws will have etches on the
> side of the blade (generally the left side).  Backsaws do have a
> spine and sometimes but not always have something stamped on the
> spine.  (You didn't say whether it is a backsaw.)  Generally these
> stampings would also be on the left side and near the middle.

backsaw was in the "subject" of the email, but yes i forgot to mention
that in the body.
Thanks for your suggestions, Adam confirmed that his Atkins backsaw
has no marking on the spine either.
Which is a bit weird, most (all?) of my backsaws have a stamp on the spine.

Rainy day in NZ, it's supposed to be summertime.
Chris

> On Jan 9, 2023, at 17:37 , Christian Gagneraud  wrote:
> 
> Which is a bit weird, most (all?) of my backsaws have a stamp on the spine.

My user stash had led me to believe that spine stamping and etches were usually
mutually exclusive (Disston being a notable exception). Groves, Moulson Bros,
and a few others have stamping but no discernible etch (though I can't rule out
disappearance over time). My Atkins and a Warren & Ted have an etch but no spine
stamping.

Did any British backsaws have an etch? I should pull HSMOB off the shelf and see
what it says, since I have a tiny sample size here.

thanks,
Adam

On Tue, 10 Jan 2023 at 15:40, Adam R. Maxwell  wrote:
>
>
> On Jan 9, 2023, at 17:37 , Christian Gagneraud  wrote:
>
> Which is a bit weird, most (all?) of my backsaws have a stamp on the spine.
>
>
> My user stash had led me to believe that spine stamping and etches were
usually mutually exclusive (Disston being a notable exception). Groves, Moulson
Bros, and a few others have stamping but no discernible etch (though I can't
rule out disappearance over time). My Atkins and a Warren & Ted have an etch but
no spine stamping.

I have 2 disston saws with "local" etching
"Made for Mc LEAN & ARCHIBAL WELLINGTON NZ".
Most of my back saws are either Diston or UK made.
There's a bias here, I would only buy, euh.... find... saws with
distinct markings (etch, medaillon, stamps)
A notable odd one is sorby saws, trademark "Kangaroo". These are not
backsaws and they have a punched mark on the plate.
I think I have one or two like that that are early Spear and Jackson.

> Did any British backsaws have an etch? I should pull HSMOB off the shelf and
see what it says, since I have a tiny sample size here.

I have 1 Spear & jackson with a rather big etching, looks more like an
exception tho.

Chris

The Handsaw Catalog Collection (Astragal Press) has a # 18 Atkins 
catalog.  The mitre box and back saws clearly show an imprint on the 
steel back.  Its hard to tell if the "photos" are actual photographs or 
line drawings. I also have a 1928 Atkins catalog with no imprint on the 
steel back of the same saws so I guess the jury is still out.


Paul Honore