How to Sharpen a Woodworking Handsaw | Paul Sellers

In this video on how to sharpen a woodworking handsaw, Paul Sellers shows how a simple rip cut pattern can be used for many crosscut saws as well.
Sharpening a saw can be one of the most daunting sharpening tasks for a woodworker, this is a great beginners guide to sharpening the essential saws.
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[@Paul.Sellers]

For a beginner friendly guide on sharpening saws, see our sister site, Common Woodworking: commonwoodworking.com/sharpening-a-saw/ For more information about Paul Sellers and the projects he is involved with visit: paulsellers.com

[@aldix1578]

As for all of your videos this is so informative. Great knowledge from a master. Are you planning the video on crosscut? Many many thx for your work.

[@Laurelinad]

which saw setting pliers would you recommend to buy today? the old ones that everyone is suggesting seem to have been running out of stock unfortunately

[@alessandromariani3015]

i don't understand , wasn't you supposed to sharpen the blade instead of making it flat with a perpendicolar movement? I tought you had to follow the blade to work agaist it :/

[@paddyharte4677]

Hi Paul, love your videos. I have a question or two I understood that rip saws were 7 ppi and down and cross cut were 10 and up. Yet on your blog it said this For any saws that are 10ppi plus we sharpen them to a rip cut pattern for both ripping and cross cut work. This covers all the saws that we use daily at the bench. It is only when we go for less ppi than 10 that we would sharpen cross cut.. have I been doing things wrong . Also I thought that when sharpening a rip saw I done every second tooth and then reverse it . But on the video of you converting a crosscut to a rip cut you done every tooth from one side. . And help to clear things up . I have both rip and cross cut as well as dovetail . Regards pat

[@Paul.Sellers]

@@paddyharte4677 Hello Paddy. You're wrongly informed. All saws can be sharpened for either crosscut or ripcut. The length and number of teeth per inch are immaterial. Large toothed saws must be rip or crosscut pattern. I discriminate when the teeth get small, ie the reference 10ppi.apA smaller toothed saw will happily crosscut and ripcut with a ripcut pattern which is easier to sharpen. Yes. A ripcut pattern can be sharpened all from one side because of its square across. A crosscut cannot. We skip every other tooth and then work from the opposite side to create the three- pointed fleam tooth pattern.

[@gdogbert001]

One of the times we can truly appreciate the skill of the film crew for their tight framing and excellent lighting. Great video.

[@benjamincrossman5937]

And the subtitles, which so few KZbin channels bother to do.

[@geraldcouch4600]

@@benjamincrossman5937 the sub-titles completely block the view of actual meat of the video?! I could see not one peak at the edge of saw, file angle, or hand position. Might as well been watching a senate empeachment hearing!!!

[@larrypostma2866]

@@geraldcouch4600 if you had worse hearing you’d think differently about it. Or watch it twice :)

[@pawa303]

@@geraldcouch4600 You could turn off the subtitles.

[@Aaron-wv1ww]

@@geraldcouch4600 I understand I'm very late to this comment, and maybe this addition is new to KZbin, but you can hold down left mouse button on the subtitles and move the subtitles around where ever is convenient for you.

[@notreallymyname3736]

Paul, I need to preface my comment with a hearty "thank you". My grandfather was a farmer, but every winter, her would go camp with the logging crews. He was a sawyer, and told me stories of how he'd sharpen two man cross cut saws while the rest of his crew would tend mule team and drink at night. I wasn't old enough to realize the goldmine of knowledge I had at the time, but I remember watching him sharpen my first axe when I was a boy. I've never been able to do it as smoothly as he did. I spoke with my mother two weeks before he died, and I told her I wanted him to sharpen my handsaws just so I could watch. Thank you for stepping in. My saws, my work, and I thank you.

[@wjpshaw]

All of Paul's videos have a hidden lesson that I badly needed: how to be patient.

[@4vinos]

Paul, I have viewed many, many videos on numerous topics but I have never seen any that compares to yours. Your voice, the method of presenting useful information is to be commended. Your experience is such that I cannot help but feel I am sitting in a special classroom watching someone who knows how to impart his knowledge. Thank you. Please keep imparting your knowledge to your numerous followers.

[@AlceuCosta]

I fully agree. Thanks Paul for sharing with us your strong experience.

[@Mike-uj1wr]

I watch a lot of videos here on KZbin and have found, that by far, Paul is the best teacher I have ever run across. Just simply excellent!

[@joeblow5958]

Agreed. Woodworking expertise aside, Paul is an unbelievably talented teacher!

[@sharpen-up]

Amen! Well said everyone

[@mattg6262]

Yeah it's really a gift to us all that he is providing this kind of instruction basically for free to us. Seriously it's great.

[@amicojeko]

You are the Bob Ross of the woodworking. Thank you for inspiring me and soothing my soul

[@stevesmith8588]

Happy little saw teeth?

[@gee3883]

Watching Paul surrounded by his tools in his workshop on this rainy morning in front of my log burner makes me feel incredibly grateful and cosy. Cheers Mr Sellers, learnt loads again.

[@farmoremystyle]

I treat these videos like an apprenticeship. You're pushing me along well, thanks mate.

[@738polarbear]

This bloke is just the best at explaining and taking the mystery out of woodworking .I find that other teachers are just too over complicated.

[@gregzoller9003]

Who knew that watching Mr Sellers sharpen a saw would be therapudic and relaxing

[@QuestforaMeaningfulLife]

I came here looking for "sharpen the saw" as a metaphor for self-improvement. But there's something about seeing the real thing behind a metaphor that brings it to life. Good craftsmanship has value beyond its immediate domain.

[@KipIngram]

Hi "Quest." I've spent my life working with technology. Computer screens, circuit boards, transistors, etc. etc. It's provided an outlet for creativity that has made me very happy, but I've never done much with my bare hands. Just recently I've picked up this interest in woodworking, and Paul is amazing - watching his videos is like watching a Bob Ross painting video, and the prospect that I could learn to bring beauty out of wood myself just has me so amazingly excited. Yes, it's the real deal behind your metaphor, but it also is literally your metaphor - what a great way to improve one's self. I'm hooked, and it's largely thanks to Paul.

[@jcknives4162]

I love how you have demystified this issue and shown how simple it is to file a saw. thank you

[@sunquest2]

In my effort to learn how to sharpen a hand saw, I have watched over 30 youtube videos out there on the subject. Your video is the most informative, detailed, and professional saw sharpening video out there. Thank you very much. Your shooting board video is also amazing.

[@mccrusn]

Paul Sellers... that was the first video I've ever watched on this subject... and you are an EXCELLENT teacher! Thank you so much from the state of Ohio (USA). Your voice, cadence... just your manner are as good as could ever be hoped. There is no need for anyone else to post a video on sharpening a saw. Nuff said!

[@VitalityMassage]

Sharpening saws is a meditation.

[@SantasWorkshop1964]

Thank you for changing my whole thought process of woodworking. I am finding it peaceful and enjoyable again because of you. I bought 4 nice Disston handsaws today and a Stanley 8 C planer and look forward to cleaning up my little woodshop . This video was what I needed . Best videos on KZbin !!!

[@kostas010151]

This is a University level presentation. You remembered me some of my beloved Medical professors during my medical student years. Now, as retired Orthopaedic Surgeon, I watched this video with the same enthusiasm. Well done!

[@peedieboxcompanyakakeith8783]

Just sharpened my first saw it cuts like new and found it very therapeutic and satisfying thank you for this easy to follow guide can not wait for the cross cut

[@justme-in2jb]

As always it is an absolute pleasure to watch a fine craftsman in action and have real information from someone of such great standards. Thank you Mr. Sellers.

[@als1023]

Great tips, thanks for the micro-bevel with the diamond hone trick. I have been cross cutting my dovetail saws, I'm going to try one with a rip cut. I had not seen the progressive rake angle before, it makes total sense !

[@thebannedgreenman8939]

Thank you for sharing the knowledge.

[@humancorrector-473]

Such a high quality for a 11 year old video, damn impressive, definately a lot of work here, especially with camera sliding along with a file and a lot of other details

[@SteveM0732]

I recent came into possession of 22" 12 PPI Atkins saw that I have been cleaning up (the saw plate was solid black when I got it). Though I have watched several other videos on saw sharpening I hated all of the various jigs and guides they used and being forced to choose between crosscut and rip cutting. Thanks to a mention from wranglerstar I decided to give Paul Sellers' crazy techniques another look and boy am I glad I did. Although I did not have a diamond hone to touch up the back of the teeth I was able to do everything else as this video instructs and am absolutely delighted with the results of my first saw sharpening. I used a Stanley No. 42 saw set and it is capable of applying a slight set that doesn't need corrected with a hammer. Thanks Paul!

[@MrWoody135]

Just starting out. Great clear instruction, cannot fault the detail and the explanations. Many thanks.

[@TheCompleteGuitarist]

Paul, thank for these videos. I hadn't touched a saw or chisel since I was at school in the late 70's and watching you was like being in my class again when I was 13, learning skills not many people seem to retain due to the prevalence of power tools. Thanks.

[@KipIngram]

We are foolish to let knowledge like this fade from our culture. We have this high and mighty civilization, and chances are we'll keep it, at least for a long time. But it's always possible for a nasty asteroid to come along, or a more severe pandemic, or a nuclear war, or whatever - and in the aftermath of such a cataclysm it will be the people with these skills who can keep some grace and beauty in the world. This knowledge is precious indeed. It's a simple thing - how to create beauty and joy with one's *hands*. What could be more remarkable? I have several woodworking masters that I watch and try to learn from, but Paul is my very favorite. It doesn't hurt at tall that he reminds me to some degree of my late father - that's just gravy on the potatoes. The accent isn't the same of course - my father lived his whole life in Alabama, USA. But something about the eyebrows and hairline really hits a button with me.

[@RickRose]

Thank you! You've inspired me to take out the hand saw I put away ten years ago and try again to learn to sharpen it. I tried a crosscut sharpening method from a book back then, with little success. We'll see how this goes.

[@tom87pate]

Thank you for taking the time and making this video!

[@niwty]

Thank you for publishing Paul. As I said in one of your Q and A videos I’m having a very lovely afternoon now reminiscing on time spent with my father. He was a saw doctor and many in my family have no idea what that entailed. He tried to teach me but I never had the patience as a child. He left me his tools when he passed on several years ago and I put most of them away in a box and have never touched them since. Thanks to you I’m going to get them out, clean them up and actually use them to repair the lovely saws he left me too. I dearly thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving me the impetus to do that. As someone else said your style is very much like having your father teach you. I feel he is teaching me again vicariously through you. I am so pleased to have found your channel. All the best to you sir.

[@epipe4]

Thank you very much Mr. Sellers.

[@alienfozzie]

Hi Paul, just sharpened my first saw,. I was a bit nervous about doing it but your explanation made it really simple, it now cuts great! Thank you for all the informative videos you have really helped me progress with my woodworking.

[@knightlylad]

Master class, thank you for your kindness, highly appreciated.

[@nicewine4me]

Thank you for the tutorial, your method worked spectacularly.

[@richardhenson228]

Really good - thanks. Brilliant to see the close-ups. Time to get going with this !

[@paulorchard7960]

Thank you Paul, you have re-booted my knowledge of saws from apprentice many years ago but long forgotten. The back bevel is brilliant, I will definitely be using that!

[@markrigoglioso]

Thank you Mr. Sellers. You give a clear and straightforward lesson on handsaw sharpening. I have a new appreciation for handsaws now so my collection of saws in dire need of sharpening will get a new life.

[@jimcarey1635]

Thank you very very much. It's amazing that such old skills are preserved up to this day. Going to sharpen my saws right away!

[@ZappninLLP]

Thank you very much for this. My father owned a hardware store and growing up I used to watch his saw sharpening machine go back and forth on the saw. I never knew you could do it by hand.

[@iLaurock]

Just tried this on a super dull saw that couldn't cut anything. Now it does.

[@jackreeves3001]

I love the sound of a handsaw. Brings back a whole other time. I enjoy your videos very much.

[@blackfender100]

Awesome stuff Paul thank you.

[@cornflake73]

I have just recently viewed your series on restoring hand planes and now I am watching you sharpen hand saws. I find them very enlightening and informative. I like the basic techniques you use and the useful attachments you make. Thanks for all your efforts and I shall continue viewing your other videos.

[@papahajek5383]

My dad showed me this when I was very young (70+ now). I was less than interested as I was going to play ball. He's gone , but I've got some of his saws. Your video just reminded me.

[@AngriestEwok]

Thank you. That was the most comprehensive guide to saws I've ever seen. I didn't know quite how much I didn't know.

[@GloriaCraven0213]

Informative and helpful. Thank you.

[@simonlucas987]

I've bought an antique, ragged 50 eurocent tenon saw and retoothed, sharpened, and reset it using these instructions and it works like a beauty now. I spent 1 hour in doing this. Do not underestimate the importance of using fresh, high quality files .

[@fft2020]

Awesome video Paul, thank you for the precious teachings

[@bessiehilliard1601]

Thank you so much for your videos. I am getting a formal woodworking education and I still find them very informative. I especially like your sharpening and four squaring videos. I have been hand sharpening my chisels and plane irons and get a very quick, sharp edge. I appreciate you articulate way of pointing out what needs to be paid attention to.

[@Peterzemlany]

Thank you for taking up your time to explain!

[@jasn5754]

Very informative. Thanks for making this.

[@anthonymcgrath4889]

Paul, thank you for a very well explained video on saws. I had never realised the saw was so complex. You’re a great teacher. Had seen your tutorials on planes,also great.Keep it up. Tony.

[@Ibaneddie76]

PAUL IS ONE OF FAVORITE PEOPLE ON PLANET EARTH. PEOPLE LIKE HIM ARE TREASURES TO OTHER CRAFTSMAN. WHAT A GREAT PERSON TO SHARE HIS VAST WEALTH OF WOODWORKING KNOWLEDGE.

[@geoffbembridge868]

Thank you Paul for your invaluable information on rip saw sharpening. Geoff.

[@ndothan]

So, I bought a beat up old rusty saw from a flea market for $2 this past weekend. I followed your instructions, and now have a totally awesome saw!!! Holy crow, it cuts through wood like a hot knife through butter!!!

[@ronin4711]

As usual, a fantastic and explicit video, loved the secondary bevel idea.

[@deep2k4]

I really enjoy these videos, because even in the most monotoneous process hes saying something about the hows and whys and you can learn so incredibly much, it is outstanding!

[@grebdnulyrag]

Thanks Paul, great video as usual. I am on my way to learning the correct way to sharpen my saws.

[@christophercastor6666]

I have watched this a ton of times, implemented your teachings one step at a time, and successfully returned many “trashed” saws to working order. I am today going to make a tool similar to your tiny file-like finishing paddle from the last sharpening step in this video. Each time I sharpen, the results are astronomically better than the last. I am excited to see the improvement I get by using the final step of your incredibly successful process. Thank you as always, -CY Castor

[@joeblow5958]

Another great one from Mr. Sellers! You’re the best. Thanks!

[@Paul.Sellers]

I hope you enjoyed learning more about saw sharpening. I release regular videos so please subscribe to my channel: kzbin.info

[@emeraldviking3637]

Paul Sellers I must take out my dads old saws and sharpen them

[@charliedelpilar6473]

How to sharpening hand saw using grinder wheel pls.. show me how.?

[@lewhit992]

Thank you for sharing your videos here. It’s greatly enriched my hobby into an art- just for me!

[@Strange-Viking]

Superb vid!

[@jimk4267]

I recently purchased my first dovetail saw. An inexpensive model. After watching a few videos on sharpening the saw I applied the techniques. I still was not happy with cut speed or quality. I then figured you must have the instruction I need and sure enough I found this video. I resharpened the saw today using your technique and it cuts like a dream. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. It is much appreciated.

[@n.d.u.ranasinghe7324]

Perfect job. Thank you so much Mr, Paul,

[@VitalityMassage]

Paul is like your dad teaching you stuff.

[@joeblow5958]

Haha! Without the yelling

[@ezequielramos5405]

😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@keithklassen5320]

Yeah, with all the non-linearity of the instruction. Dude knows a lot, but he's not laying it out in a very good way, IMHO.

[@emmams5]

@@keithklassen5320, if you don't understand Peter's tutorial, you probably shouldn't be near a saw.

[@Blasthoff]

Maybe, but probably more like how you WISH your dad would have taught you stuff!! It's a special talent!!!

[@ArnoWalter]

This video is the reason why I hardly use power saws anymore. A properly sharpened saw is fun to use and almost as fast as.

[@wrb1535]

Best saw sharpening video I’ve seen. Well done!!! Thank you.

[@jasoncrawford5370]

Another great video with commentary and a camera view that makes the topic understandable for a novice woodworker. Thank you!

[@snort455]

Thanks. You answered a lot of questions. I'm thinking of going all hand tools, and knowing how to keep em sharp is essential.

[@Paul.Sellers]

We've added English subtitles to this video. We work hard to reach as many people around the world and help them learn woodworking. We need your help to translate our videos subtitles to your language and progress our work. Please contribute translations here: kzbin.info_cs_panel?tab=2&c=UCc3EpWncNq5QL0QhwUNQb7w

[@hchinchilla1]

Handy and helpful information - takes the mystery out of it - thanks much!

[@chadkerner6094]

Wow. Thank you. That was a great lesson for me to learn. You're video was top notch, great angles on the cuts and your methodology is phenomenal. I look forward to watching more of your videos while i familiarize myself with your channel.

[@spacecase135]

Thank you so much for explaining this so well, it's exactly what I was looking for.

[@VAC2]

Thanks for making these videos. Young woodworkers like myself love learning from quality craftsman, not many on job sites these days...

[@matthopkins3340]

great vid, it has helped me no end in getting my saws back in top order. Many thanks for taking the time to record and post this. Regards Matt

[@docman_artisan]

Inspiring and good teacher. Thank you.

[@stevendealmeida5497]

Always informative. Thank you.

[@ibanezrg320fm]

It's times like this that really makes me appreciate my 4k 65" Smart TV. I'll tell you what! I could see the saw blade becoming flat with those two cuts of a file. Thanks for sharing this wonderful information with me. I appreciate it so much sir.

[@danielbuela5655]

love your vids paul! thank you!

[@lint2023]

OMG! You just taught me so much! Thank you.

[@davidkatz8270]

Absolutely fantastic video. I always come back to this video when it's time to sharpen a saw!

[@lanceo1690]

I love your vids. I dig the saw sharpening, straightening and setting vids, but since I acquired a few handsaws recently, I would love to see a full saw restoration video! I have surface rust, a cracked handle and missing bolts.

[@Charlesredporsche]

Wow, am I impressed. Nice demeanor, terrific information and even great focusing. Many videos have very poor, frustrating focus. Excellent. I'm going to look for more of your videos.

[@Razor2Striker2]

agreed. very informative to the layman

[@meshugunner]

Paul's videos are very carefully thought out. There's a lot more work goes into them than meets the eye

[@nedo3505]

Fantastic. You are simple and precise. Great tutorial. Many thanks

[@errolkalo6005]

I’ve just sharpened a very blunt saw I got over 30 years ago and used it to rip down a 4ft 6x6 oak beam 😱 Didn’t take that long. Cheers Paul, you are a fantastic teacher. Can’t wait to sharpen my tenon saw now

[@jdog4534]

Thanks for another fine, informative video. I had been bypassing this video for a while now. Partly because I learned how to sharpen saw blades and many other tools with various cutting edges in a course I took in college called wood technology (best 12 units I ever took). But mostly, it was the length of the video that had me staying away. Now that I've seen it, I must say, it went quick. I found myself getting that disappointment feeling when I looked at the red time bar to see over a half an hour had already played and it was almost over. You're a great teacher, Mr Sellers. ..a good shop teacher with all 10 fingers is a really great teacher. I like how you get the point across thoroughly, leaving no stone unturned along the way and nothing to question at the end. The things you post obviously come from experience. Most of the other woodworking videos on here are done by people who seem to have just learned what they now expect to teach. Some guys go on n on about jobsites, customers, blah, blah, blah.. but all their videos are about building shop furniture, like they're just now getting into woodworking.. Lol the reason I finally watched this video was because I had just got a reply from someone who posts a lot of videos, most of them are of her doing stuff wrong. I saw one of her videos about coping. Right out of the gate, it was obvious she didn't know what she was talking about. I wish I could remember what she said the reason was for the 45° back cut was , she definitely didn't say it was to reveal the profile of the molding. I couldn't help it, but I had to go straight to comments to explain it but she had comments disabled.. todays video was about sharpening multi tool saw blades. I waited til the painful end before I left a simple, respectful comment saying there was more to it than what she said. My memory on the subject is well rusty but what's rusted is all terminology, not technique. ..anyway, she replied with a bunch of double talk as if she knew what I was talking talking about and it didn't apply to her. I'm still wondering if I should set her straight or let it go... Thanks for being a pillar of truth in this tube full of uncertainty. You're a fine craftsman. ..one of the very select few people here on youtube for whom I would condider being an apprentice..

[@prestonthompson9848]

Wow! This is fantastic. Now I'm off to try this on one.

[@robincoleman6098]

A brilliant set of vids keep up the good work

[@DanielSousa-O]

Thanks! You're a good teacher, your videos are awesome with all those fantastic tools! The colors, I mean.... really nice!

[@SanderOpdam]

This video came at the right time. I just recently bought an old saw with proper wooden handle at a flea market for only €2,-. Can't wait to sharpen it using these instructions! Thanks!

[@blairglenn4941]

Excellent demonstration to an often misunderstood tool. Thank you for this Paul. Blair Glenn

[@-JohnnyWaIker-]

Very informative video. Thanks alot Sir!

[@221Dw]

It's great to have access to these videos, especially for people like me who are learning most things themselves.

[@55ATA3]

Thank you, that was a very helpful.

[@kenthomas1109]

Best tutorial on saw sharpening and setting I’ve seen - thanks!

[@ExtantFrodo2]

Marvelous! I didn't know there was so much to know about saws. TYSM.

[@vincent7520]

I'm really impressed !

[@AMBOSS_Silesia]

Absolutely fantastic video :) I've learned a lot. Thank you.

[@IACOsWorld]

Thank you sir for Your wisdom in woodworking.. I am just dipping my toe Into woodworking and have found that your videos are far superior in both quality and content. I love the detail shots and explaining things in detail that most videos pass to quickly over or asume it's understood.. When often times it's not:) every orgional question I had at the start of your video you addressed in a very patient and understanding manner. I could watch your video here over and over again. I hope you keep the content comming sir cause I will watch and absorb all that I can:) thanks again and I look forward to more input and explination:)

[@tonywinton7949]

Thanks for the knowledge,the many saws I have will finally enjoy new life because of this.

[@metrobytmobile6844]

I had never attempted to sharpen a saw but after watching this video I gave it a go with my relatively cheap and dull backsaw. I was amazed and believe it cut twice as good as new. I then watched the crosscut saw video and soon enough I had what seems like a entirely new assortment of saws.

[@TheBockenator]

Paul Sellers is one of the few woodworkers on KZbin who has actually spent a lifetime honing his craft. I scratch my head a bit when someone starts making instructional videos after spending a couple years as a hobbyist.

[@HungPham-ki9wu]

Why after 8 years this channel havent reach a millions sub

[@AKAGlenn]

Great question, Its a such great channel.