Looking to sharpen a hand saw

[PeoplesElbow]

I have never done that, but I would think it wouldn't be too difficult with the right file. Put it in a vise and just file away. I know what a pleasure it is to use sharp tools. I'm sure you can get it sharper than what it is right now. You don't need to put a surgical edge on it, just get it more or less as sharp as when it was new.

It isn't only about sharp. There are modern hand saws that are sharp and cut fast, however they are not "sharpened right" which includes proper set and the cut that they leave suffers. A well done crosscut saw will leave a very smooth, straight cut.

If I were talking a pruning saw where I did not care about the type of cut it left then sure.

 

[limblips]

I have never done that, but I would think it wouldn't be too difficult with the right file. Put it in a vise and just file away. I know what a pleasure it is to use sharp tools. I'm sure you can get it sharper than what it is right now. You don't need to put a surgical edge on it, just get it more or less as sharp as when it was new.

If it were cheap saw I would say go for it to get something that will cut but if it is a quality saw you can screw it up bad enough that it can never be brought back to optimum. Read this and decide if you want to go the DIY route. http://www.vintagesaws.com/library/primer/sharp.html

I would also try to determine the desirability of your Disstons, some are quite valuable.. Read this: https://www.vintagesaws.com/

 

[PeoplesElbow]

If it were cheap saw I would say go for it to get something that will cut but if it is a quality saw you can screw it up bad enough that it can never be brought back to optimum. Read this and decide if you want to go the DIY route. http://www.vintagesaws.com/library/primer/sharp.html

I would also try to determine the desirability of your Disstons, some are quite valuable.. Read this: https://www.vintagesaws.com/

Exactly, I sharpen a lot of knives, but before I would ever sharpen a Benchmade or ZT, I sharpened many cheap junk knives.

 

[GWguy]

I'm at the point in my life where I just can't be bothered to sharpen stuff myself, and if it gets to be too much trouble to find someone, I ditch the dull and buy new.

I remember seeing a PBS show on Japanese artisans who hand make saws of every shape and style for any task. The care they exercise and the incredible edge put on a tool are just amazing. Won't find that here.