Saw Nibs Explained

Occasionally, you run across an antique hand saw with a strange “nib” near the toe - a small protrusion or a bump on the back of the saw plate. What were these for? After a hundred years of electric craftsmanship, their purpose has been lost to us. Nick dredges a possible answer up from a memory of his grandfather teaching him to use a hand saw.
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[@WorkshopCompanion]

I have been collecting information on saw nibs all during my 50 years of woodworking journalism. This is probably because it involves one of my oldest woodworking memories - my grandfather teaching me to use a hand saw. So I tend to read and watch info on nibs when I run across it. Consequently, there is a lot more I could have said if I had known there was so much interest in such an obscure subject. And one of the first things I would have said is that, by far, the best research on this subject appeared in an article in the ToolShed, June 2005, by Jim Packham. In it, Jim listed all the many explanations he had run across for saw nibs: 1. Maker or starter tooth, 2. Used to describe an arc, 3. Clean sawdust from a cut, 4. Sighting like the sight on a rifle, 5. Retain a sheath string, 6. Clapboard Gauge for narrow siding, 7. Hook to retrieve cut-off pieces out of reach, 8. Hook to pull lumber toward you on a saw horse, 9. Used to obtain the correct angle for filing, 10. Notch the size of teeth for filing guide, 11. Vestige of handle locking notch for pit saws, 12. Facilitate the slitting of decorative metal panels, 13. Remove nails in broken slate, 14. Practice tooth for saw filer, to check steel hardness, 15. Holds blade during acid bath pickling, 16. Vestige of hook originally used for pruning, 17. Sight to avoid pulling back too far, 18. No function whatever, 19. Vestige of the decoration on early Dutch saws. Note that my grandfather’s wisdom is #17 on that list. And, as Jim explains, the prevailing notion that the nib is ornamental -- #19 - seems to have come from Henry Disston himself, one of the most prolific makers of hand saws in the 19th century. That’s a pretty good primary source. And it’s evolved into what could be considered explanation #20 - the decorative nib indicates the quality of the saw metal and its smithing. Some even suggest that potential customers might have filed it or bent it to be sure the steel was up to snuff. Let’s ignore the absurdity of a toolmaker allowing potential customers to damage a saw before buying it, and just look at the nibs. It’s difficult to see them as decorative. A very few have some ornamental pizzazz, but on the 1896 Disston No. 12 that I show, it’s just a protrusion. On a vintage W&S Butcher rip saw I have from England, the nib is a simple half-round bump. If these were meant to impress, they fail miserably. They look, well -- utilitarian. And they do little to indicate the quality of the steel or the toolmaker’s skill. These saw plates began as ingots that, while still hot, were rolled out into sheets, trimmed, and the teeth cut. The plate blanks were then hardened, tempered, flattened, tensioned, and polished. The better plates were “blocked,” a process in which a skilled smith corrects small irregularities with a lignum vitae mallet. Finally, the teeth were set and sharpened. (If you’d like a better idea of just how involved this process was, see: www.disstonianinstitute.com/factorytour.html .) None of this can be divined by inspecting, filing, or bending a nib. To this day, perhaps the best indicator of saw quality is to slightly bend the plate and strike it with a wooden mallet. It should ring long and clear. There is a reason that flattening, tensioning, and blocking are sometimes referred to as “tuning” a saw. But the proponents of #20 may be half right; nibs might indicate quality indirectly. Give the enormous amount of work that went into making a fine hand saw and the resulting expense, you can easily imagine that a toolmaker may have thoughtfully provided customers with a way to protect their investment. After reading Jim’s article and following up with some of the sources he cited, I am inclined to believe that #5 is the most likely explanation for the original purpose of the nib. Circa 1600, when this form of hand saw first developed, it was a hook to keep the front tie of a sheath from slipping off the front of the saw. We all use sheaths, chisel rolls, and felt-lined surfaces to protect the teeth, blades, and irons we have worked so hard to sharpen. It’s very likely that craftsmen in days gone by would have attempted to sheath their saws, found that ties slipped off the end, and filed a notch near the front to capture the tie. Notches, however, aren’t the best solution. A tie can easily slip out of a shallow notch; deep notches would weaken the saw plate. Sawmakers would have known this, and likely included a nib in their saws for that purpose. Nibs take time and energy to make, however, which helps to explain why only the best saws had them - the old Disston that I am using in the video was top of the line in its time. And it would also help explain why nibs eventually died out. As circular saws became our primary cutting tools, hand saws were relegated to back-ups, and the need for high-quality hand saws evaporated along with their nibs. I am inclined to think my grandfather’s explanation was a “found” or "evolved" purpose - something that was already there and craftsmen found they could employ to teach a young person to use a hand saw properly. That moment with my grandfather was a great story and something I could squeeze into a minute. I couldn’t possibly have put all of what I just related in a short or have anticipated there was enough interest in this arcane and enigmatic topic to rate more than a short. If you’re really interested in divining the purpose of nibs, read Jim Packham’s article. The ToolShed has kindly made it available as a free PDF: craftsofnj.org/tool-shed/tool-shed-issues. And if you’re interested in teaching your grandson or granddaughter to properly use a hand saw, look for an old saw with a nib.

[@WorkshopCompanion]

@@HydetheRapper Re-pinned, just to make sure. And I love your suggestion -- one minute fact with additional info pinned in the comment bar. It's so brilliantly simple that I'm ashamed to admit we hadn't thought about using shorts like that; but it's an ingenious idea.

[@ryanbarrtt]

I found number 20! I like how thoroughly you’ve researched this. The link is to a video by Wood By Wright How To and he explains what he has learned the nib is for. Another neat guess, I suppose. It’s incredible how much research can be done for such an unnecessary topic. Regardless, I’m fascinated. kzbin.infoNBtI2hV1GLo?feature=share

[@MustashBoyeTheOneAndOnly]

Awesome stuff!

[@j22mattones]

I've also heard, the nib was a sort of maker's mark. If you could break the nib, it was proof the saw wasn't quality steel, and if you could make a decorative nib that didn't break, the teeth on the saw would probably be of a great quality as well and just as strong.

[@bradydobson5970]

@@ryanbarrttthank you for sharing so much knowledge. You must be able to write a Bible about woodworking 😂

[@battles151]

I once heard that a nib on a saw is to display and mark the quality of steel and craftsmanship used for a particular saw. If the steel is of quality and the precision of the blade is of.good craftsmanship, they display a special nib to show the time that went into it. I never quite believed that was the case, but I never heard otherwise until now. I love the content, keep them coming!

[@WorkshopCompanion]

That's the plan. And you're partially right about nibs marking a quality saw. Read my response to @bertaboy.

[@bryancaviness8788]

Wouldn’t The saw itself be evidence of good craftsmanship? I’m asking.

[@ghidfg]

well the nib shows a couple inches before he gets to the end of the blade, so im not sure thats what its for either.

[@jesseschumacher4080]

I’m inclined to believe the craftsmanship version more because he literally mentions in the video that saw nibs are on all sorts of other things. Why would other implements need something used on a saw? You don’t want to waste time going to get a saw and test driving it to see if it’s good. The nib is a very specific profile, you wouldn’t need to do that for just a marker.

[@connorhollenbach3404]

@@bryancaviness8788 you’d be surprised how easy it is to make a saw, but the nib is there, because the nib is really hard to make so it justifies the craftsmanship

[@redlock1815]

Yaknow, with all the explanations ive heard.. maybe the real saw nib was the friends we made along the way

[@JesseJames-ig7gu]

👏

[@ericredelman2568]

Lmao well played

[@omnisciencce]

_👍_

[@moltenCookie]

Well played, sir!

[@ratmother.actual1294]

Legend

[@FurNaxxYT]

They really went and put an iron sight on the old saws

[@BuckScrotumn]

lmaooooo

[@Jeepsteve1982]

We need one with tritium now

[@youngguns1319]

Lol i was joking with a coworker yesterday and told them i was gonna put a laser on my pocket knife so i never miss then. They didn't get the joke

[@dimitrijekrstic7567]

​@@youngguns1319jesus

[@railworksamerica]

how long till we add a red dot sight

[@imranmeco3393]

I gotta say, the shot of the dog seemingly below the saw spooked me for a second there.

[@LibertyMonk]

I was very concerned until the ears perked up behind the vertical board. On a second viewing, you can see legs etc before that shot, but not blatantly

[@chadbuffum797]

It's nice to see that Pinocchio's dad is still alive and well 😁

[@eh6971]

To bad that Pinocchio hung out with the wrong crowd. They threw him in a bonfire. And roasted marshmallows over his flaming body.

[@killmeow2371]

...and scaring the hell out of the dog!

[@Delosian]

Geppetto!

[@marktimmer2212]

@@Delosian Thank GoD!

[@victoriagrayson5082]

*Period or exclamation mark at the end of your sentence, double or single space after period before that emoji.

[@EarnestWilliamsGeofferic]

I love that every single video telling you what these nibs are for has a wildly different explanation.

[@flabbergastedTart]

Makes the mystery even more mysterious!

[@RS-fz4ps]

It’s like the urban legends of where the word cocktail comes from. I’ve heard at least three different ones, and there is at least someone who believes all of the lm are true.

[@jacksonlaframboise6257]

@@RS-fz4psnever questioned cocktail. Without doing any research or anything….without even really knowing what a cocktail is or isn’t, I shall give an absolutely horrible attempt at figuring this out. Cock= chicken. Tail= tail. Chicken tail….I feel I’m getting somewhere. What are chickens? Is this even applicable? I dunno. What do they do? Chicken stuff. Why chicken? Because chicken. Ok. What is a tail? What does it entail? What does entail mean? Could it be a pun? Is this a pun? Yes. What does entailing involve? Also yes. So entailing involves. A tail is behind. A cock is a chicken. Not so fast. Cockeyed is a thing. Cocking something is a thing: To tilt. And tilting a tail could mean tail as in animal. Or calligraphy. Italics? Naw. It probably doesn’t alics. And tilting a tail tends to titillate ticklish tail ticklers so that won’t do. Egg?….No egg. Probably not chicken related. I mean, shit could just be italics cuz, they’re fancy or some shit. But that seems lame. And what tf does it have to do with shrimp cocktail. Is a cocktail just like a fancy event where weird shit is served? Is it just a vibe; a place that gives off big cocktail energy. Would you say, “I’m going to the cocktail party for cocktails.”…wait. That sorta makes sense. If the name is originating from the event. And that name is originating from a specific way of writing, what does that way of writing mean? What cultural significance would it have and what would it imply? Class. Is it secretively? Why would it matter? How could one google this without just getting an entire internet full of recipes with the most out-of-pocket names ever? “Yeah sure. Lemme have a corpse reviver and a porn star….been a weird night” Hmmm. Ok. So my conclusion is that I don’t know and I don’t really care but, it’s cool that I now know that I don’t know or care about knowing this…..penis bum.

[@jacksonlaframboise6257]

Ok. I actually googled it. I see what you mean. The second it starts throwing “the ___ theory”, it basically means, “we fukin forgot bro but, hear me out…Egg cup?” The other option is the cock tailings one which seems like less of a stretch than the friggen beautiful mind web insanity that is the connections drawn in the docked horse co…docked horse t…the one that sounds illegal. So yeah. My new guess, based off of my 10 minutes of research is that people who invented the name were all drunk af, and forgot why they called it that but, it stuck regardless.

[@calebadam2576]

​@@jacksonlaframboise6257If you have ever seen a rooster in person, their tails are large, ornamental feathers that look fancy. if I had to guess, the phrase "cocktail" implies said fancy design for a party, with the related drink type probably often being served at those types of events. Note that this is all speculation, however.

[@Gator-357]

My grandfather taught me about saw nibs when I was just a little fella back in the 70s. He had many saws with them and the ones that didn't, he would grind a notch in a few inches from the end so you could use it the same way. As a result, I am now in the habit of notching my saws in the same fashion. It is very helpful to have a referance point so you can focus more on your accuracy at speed and not worry about jumping the saw and marring the finnish, gouging it or even kinking or breaking your saw.

[@KeeganAWhite]

This is the third reasonable explanation I have seen on KZbin for the saw nibs.

[@murrayblack1078]

When i started my 9000hr apprenticeship as a “carpenter & joiner” about 56yrs ago we used handsaw’s much of the time when building a house. It was most likely the first time the foreman saw me using my brand new Diston (6pt framing saw) he showed me all the basics and then said “you paid for all those teeth you might as well use them”…

[@WorkshopCompanion]

👍👍 Great story. Thanks for sharing.

[@ThatSB]

9000 hours? Wow. Hope it still paid well

[@murrayblack1078]

@@ThatSB Yes that’s correct 9000 hrs No the pay was abysmal. This was about 55 years ago and in New Zealand Starting rate was 40cents an hour for 40hrs and we worked 1hr a day overtime The rate for that was 60cents an hour. The take home pay after income tax was $18.65c. That was for the first 1000hrs, you got a pay rise every 1000hrs. We had to go to trade school 2 nights a week for 3yrs. For 2hrs per night. That was unpaid. There was exams at the end of every year and if you got a pass you got a credit off your hours We were contracted to our employer, so we couldn’t leave and go to another company without a very good reason.

[@Liam-oh2gb]

@@ThatSB To be fair if you break it down it’s not so bad. 4.5 years working 40 hours and taking 2 weeks off a year. Cut that down to 3 years doing 60 hour weeks.

[@oldkingcrow777]

​@@murrayblack1078id say getting paid at ALL for the knowledge you amassed was worth it and then some 😂

[@vakuraaaah]

“Backward scimitar…a kukri!” This really tickled me, and I haven’t even looked the words up yet. 😂

[@mojoneko8303]

Once in a while I actually learn something on KZbin. Thanks for the video

[@tttm99]

The saw horse looked stable but the saw dog looked nervous.

[@alissacheck4194]

💀

[@BadSpock]

That's not a saw dog it's a bench dog

[@Kili-mo-money]

I feared for his life! Oof

[@TiddyTwyster]

Don't even get me started on the updog

[@kigorian]

​@@TiddyTwyster We don't have to, we can see him right under there

[@Tlaloc_D1]

Bro just differenciated a schimitar and a kukri offhandedly. instant subscribe.

[@fyregus]

And the grammar errors continue lol. Dude put their instead of there. And you just spelled scimitar schimitar... that actually sounds like a lisp or something... schhhhhhhimitar.

[@dallastrapregiment8936]

@@fyreguslook everybody pointdexter wants us all to know he can spell… NERD

[@Nintardo]

​@fyregus Your own comment is filled with grammatical errors, and a disturbing lack of punctuation. Correct yourself before correcting others.

[@oneyearunder]

​@@fyreguswhat do you have to gain from this?

[@chimpswithkicks]

@@fyregushere's your "most fun commenter" award: it's missing? weird... oh wait... it's not missing, it's just been handed to someone else who actually deserved it. on the bright side, there's always next year. i'm just joking, you blew it

[@TheBigggeee]

My grandpa and great grandpa called it a saw sight. Thanks for the content, helped me remember that!

[@spoopyd.8910]

I can't explain it, but you have a wonderful voice for a mentor figure in a movie or something.

[@robertsaget6918]

I'm he's a retired wood shop teacher or otherwise some instructor.

[@hobomike6935]

With his unreasonable passion for wood (to the point of knowing the historical lore) I figured he was a stack of beavers wearing a human disguise.

[@Mirchitunes]

Agreed! And the content is very useful. Subscribed

[@aloyminimum]

This is the fourth different explanation on the saw nib I’ve seen in the last few months and I’m not even a craftsman of any sort

[@BentonL]

Same.

[@Violet-Storm]

Pipelines. Pipelines everywhere

[@TheDoerOfRandomStuff]

This is my first

[@VestinVestin]

KZbin is clearly radicalizing you into woodworking.

[@802Garage]

Doggo is entranced by the lesson. Awesome video.

[@christopherberberena5991]

Geppetto is very knowledgeable when it comes to woodworking. Hands down no lie he is the best.

[@fredfrenulum2764]

This is important because all my WWI era back scratchers are worn out only in the middle. Now I gotta use a WWI saw but I'm not making that mistake this time.

[@CrazyMagicHomelesGuy]

I was told its a sign of craftsmanship. Saws were not only hand forged but filed with teeth as well. All by hand, so it showed people "hey, I was made by a man with great skill"

[@jenna_tolls]

This is what i was taught in school

[@atomomnis2391]

Why would a little nib be a sign of great skill tho? Surely the teeth is a much harder thing to create in the first place?

[@CrazyMagicHomelesGuy]

@@atomomnis2391 yeah but it could break off if you suck

[@alifaan595]

​​@@atomomnis2391the nib you see nowadays could be a remnant, because if you look at older saws, there were incredibly intricate shaped and carved nibs to show craftsmanship

[@CSpottsGaming]

​@@atomomnis2391 No idea if the explanation is accurate, but I've heard it as well. The idea is that the nib would be very, very small and easy to damage in the process of creating the saw. The smaller and more delicate the nib, the more impressive the skills of the man who made it. It's supposed to be an at-a-glance description of the quality, since you can't really see how good the steel itself is and wouldn't know until well after you'd bought and used it.

[@skyistaken1605]

This vid has been randomly shown to me a dozen or so times. I love it.

[@Fr.O.G.]

i like the way you brought out the sword and knife knowledge

[@ishanbhattacharyya6713]

I swear grandfathers hold the eternal knowledge to the universe.

[@brandoku7003]

i wish i was old enought to get to know any of my grandparents :'( im sure i would have learnt a lot and heard some really good stories.

[@SharpForceTrauma]

They really do if you just ask em. They've lived through alot, and some of it is worse than today.

[@krakowolkusz7941]

that doggo is such a good boy, fighting the urge to go for the blade each time it appears :)

[@doonhamer252]

I had an Akita shop and job dog.. you could run the saw , planer etc. she'd just lay there in the shavings/dust .. that is until the 2hp ( Craftsman compressor tank blew a seam .. nearly to the door off of the hinges .. after that, saw ,planer was fine , compressor... she got out of dodge ..

[@PupRubble]

Just found your channel and i dont know why but you exude an aura of crafty wisdom

[@BarneeFife]

Now THAT is the best bench dog EVER! Dogs are such wonderful beings…

[@Bart-Did-it]

I’m a chippy of 25 years being a Carpenter this guy makes me really miss my Grandpa he taught me so much and was a real character like this guy . I’m subbing for sure

[@Dosbomber]

"a chippy"... tell me you're Australian without telling me you're Australian. :)

[@tristancraven3685]

I thought my grandfather had taught me everything.

[@brokentombot]

He should have taught you to thought for yourself.

[@Bart-Did-it]

@@brokentombot😊 thanks for the heads up

[@Beakerzor]

I thought it had no use, I was such a nib

[@WorkshopCompanion]

Glad you finally sawed the light.

[@ericredelman2568]

@@WorkshopCompanionas a new father, both of your dad jokes are a cut above the rest

[@BOTthelesser]

@@WorkshopCompanionhah

[@hobomike6935]

@@WorkshopCompanion Were you raised by a family of Beavers?

[@HyperSonicSquall]

@@ericredelman2568 that's some sharp insight.

[@louvierejacques]

What a delightful serendipity - even the music is perfect.

[@GringoCamo]

don’t ever care about that saw, but the man made me feel like I was safe with my grandpa

[@The.Messenger.2832]

Thank you. Simple explanation but very useful.

[@thomasbrubaker4627]

Thanks for the insight. Your shop dog is the star of this video!

[@WorkshopCompanion]

She usually is.

[@U-N-I-T-E-D_N-A-T-I-O-N-S]

i was about to say no one talking about the good boy/girl in the back?

[@XEndlessSteelX]

I have no freaking interest in woodworking or saws but dang this dude's amazing.

[@HazeEmry]

Same here. Have you seen the pinned comment? It's great

[@flamingfrancis]

The pup under the table reminded me of the term "underdog" as it is used here in Australia. Now use in sports as the individual / team that is not the favourite but it actually emanated from old days in the timber getting industry. Once a tree was felled that required further sawing a pit would exist where a sawyer was required to go into the pit and operate the lowed end of the crosscut. (No steam driven circular saws in the bush then). He became the underdog because he copped all the dust and crap from above.

[@MJC22.03]

Canis Minor likes this comment A nub is a guide .....if he's not on the tuckerbox he's doin a Steven Bradbury.

[@lemhanback9595]

❤ not only historical information but also helpful to prevent bad habits that damage the tool

[@alZiiHardstylez]

I love his voice and explanation of things. I'm learning things AND I'm relaxed. Very cool.

[@jaxsonjjg]

I swear he was about to saw that dog in half😭

[@rogersmith7194]

Love obscure information like this. Thank you!

[@rodneyfrost1674]

Best explanation I've heard yet. Good.

[@Lee-xu2wb]

The nib is there to enhance the sound the saw makes when played as a musical instrument.

[@WorkshopCompanion]

It's also where you plug in the headphones.

[@Crucial_End]

Lol😂

[@r.m.2413]

Good one!😅

[@johnsrabe]

@@WorkshopCompanion No, for that you need a … lumberjack.

[@oldkingcrow777]

​@@johnsrabe😂😂 You can see yourself out, sir.

[@skunk71]

For whatever reason I instantly subscribed to this man.

[@danielwalker26]

KZbin has decreed that I watch a second one of your short videos. I have no interest in woodworking and I did not do well in shop class in junior high school. I am still going to subscribe and watch all of your videos.

[@WorkshopCompanion]

My condolences. And welcome.

[@diemhummel9420]

My violin teacher did basically the same thing for our orchestra. She would put little pieces if white tape at the ends of our bows and said “push till you get to the tape” to make sure we’re using the whole bow (when the music calls for it) Kind of cool how crafts overlap like that. 2 very different practices using the same tricks to accomplish the same thing.

[@here_for_the_popcorn4474]

I literally heard the other day on a video someone else claim to have the right answer.... he said depending on how intricate the nib is; shows the craftsmanship and skill of the saw maker. . . . Must say; this explanation sounds the most accurate.

[@allbirdsareedible]

Most old tools have as many uses as possible built into them, so it's probably both for the more intricate nibs.

[@JackDesert]

The saw I owned had the nib three inches from the wood handle... so going with the 'quality work' route for that one.

[@ciarangale4738]

I think they originated as a skill marker, and then perhaps people had the idea that they could serve a purpose as well

[@itoibo4208]

@@ciarangale4738 I would say the opposite. Like many old things, you could take something utilitarian and make it look really nice for a price. These plain nibs do not look at all ornate. They look plain and they look like they had a use as part of the tool.

[@ciarangale4738]

@@itoibo4208 its not so much ornamentation, as much as proof of skill

[@rich6023]

I never used a saw with a nib but was taught to use the whole saw. I found this very interesting because it is difficult to see the end of the saw blade.

[@zzodysseuszz]

Well the purpose of the nib wasn’t for what he said. In medieval times crafting a saw with such a fine and delicate piece arbitrarily added was a demonstration of the blacksmiths skill. They did this for essentially everything: clothing, swords, armour, smithing tools, belts, buckles, shoes and even hair. Unusual, seemingly useless, overly precise and delicate additions to a craft were proof that the crafter was so skilled that they could afford to muck around with the difficult details without failure. This was frequently done on swords for the same reason, especially ornamental or mourning swords. Which were made for funerals or any occasion pertaining to the passing of a loved one etc. less so on armours, as they were highly important and every bit of cautious was needed since these armours would be mass produced due to entire armies needing it and replacements/repairs. So there was no time nor luxury for what was essentially professional bragging. This is a dead practise now, as tools and resources allow us now to include these little additions with less effort.

[@acesnoopy]

Never knew this and I worked as a carpenter for 7 years lol! Using the whole saw produces a better cut by far, this is a great video

[@marcustrue1213]

I love how the dog looks mesmerized by the explanation of this man

[@bertaboy]

Next question: why did the nibs disappear?

[@WorkshopCompanion]

Making nibs required a good deal of hand work, grinding and filing -- you couldn't just laser-cut the saw plate, and the nibs were too delicate to be stamped. So they were only offered on the better, more expensive saws, like the antique H. Disston & Sons combination saw I'm using in the video. As America's work force grew, and more tools were mass-produced to meet the demand, nibs became fewer and farther in between. They lasted longer in Europe where the work force was more stable. But electric tools were a death knell for nibs. When we began relying on the circular saw as our main cutting tool, and hand saws became just a back-up, the market for super-high-quality saws shrank to almost nothing. Nibs disappeared completely.

[@c182SkylaneRG]

@@WorkshopCompanion Is there a way to pin this so we can always find it? This is a fantastic explanation, but I'm worried it'll disappear in the long scroll.

[@xXScissorHandsXx]

​@c182SkylaneRG second that! Even if it's reposting, copy->paste and pin it to the top 👍 I was glad I spotted the user scrolling through the comments after seeing "check my reply" and didn't wanna miss out

[@connorburnett6135]

​@@WorkshopCompanionI also vote to pin this comment to make it easier to see

[@WorkshopCompanion]

@@connorburnett6135 Can't. Pinning it would un-pin the current post at the top of the pile. But I folded the essential info here into that (more comprehensive) post.

[@SirVilder]

This makes a lot of sense! Thank you for passing it on.

[@TheNuclearGeek]

I didn't know saw nib KZbin shorts would be such a journey of discovery and enlightenment.

[@Ton12]

Best info on the nib I've seen makes the most sense.

[@neildam7677]

The kind of information I didn't know I needed.

[@davidjaap2130]

I'm just a DIY guy & the idea about it being a focal thing makes sense. On the front of some snow skis there is also a nib, albeit much larger, being there so you could see the front of your skis when skiing thru powder. 🙏💓

[@kilgoretrout413]

I’ve never done a single piece of diy in my life but I love your videos for the expertise and education ❤

[@WorkshopCompanion]

[@HenryFriesen2222]

I was not aware of that. Thanks for sharing

[@waberoid]

Good to know, I saw a video that said it was basically a signature for the craftsman who made the saw.

[@debluetailfly]

Best explanation I have seen.

[@exDivinityFPS]

I really like how concise and informative these videos you've produced are. It's an amazing learning format.

[@WorkshopCompanion]

Thanks for saying.

[@zerokool2888]

Excellent and Simple and Informative 🇺🇲

[@cracktact7676]

I love this guy

[@ndelockedout]

I was told by an old fellow when I was a lad, I’m 56 now. He said you pay for the whole saw so use the whole saw. There’s wisdom there if you take the time to listen

[@gmikoner]

Glad to see Belle's father is well since being released from the castle.

[@robinsashley]

I worked in a used and new hardware tool store for 35 years. I even taught classes in ancient tools. I did not know this !!! THANK YOU🏆🏆🏆🏆

[@WorkshopCompanion]

If you teach, be sure to read the info in the pinned comment.

[@TheAvidian]

It’s a quality assurance “if I can make this little nib and you can’t snap it off, you’re not gonna snap my teeth”

[@JackDesert]

yeah the nib on the saw I had was near the handle.... granted the nib near the end would work wonderfully for gauging saw strokes.

[@rollsrockets4546]

Hearing a kukri be called a backwards scimitar was beautiful

[@user-rz1ej5vh3d]

Your creativity is through the roof!

[@BEdwardStover]

Thanks. I wish I had saws that old. I already knew to use the whole saw. My reminder is that you do not work as hard. The hardest work is changing directions, but the most actual work, or cutting, gets done with long strokes. Long strokes means changing directions fewer times so ultimately less physical labor goes into each cut. Since I know how to sharpen a saw blade and worked in a sharpening shop, I am well aware of just how quickly blades wear out when they are used a lot. Sharpening shop is mostly circular blades, but they also demonstrated getting smaller faster. Hand saws still last a very long time because they are used less. You have such a great example, having a pre WW1 hand saw! I love old tools!

[@reeferfranklin]

It was also a way for the blade's craftsman to show his ability to do fine-detail work, so the nibs could, at times, be very fancy & intricate-looking...these are probably the point of nibs on other devices like pocket watches & back scratchers.

[@WarriorInWaiting]

Nibs are only on saws, he was referring to the fact that almost nobody really knows their intended purposes and so it could be literally anything from a compass to a backscratcher, the nib isn't always in the right spot to tell you the full length of your cut like this though, sometimes it was done simply to show the skill of the craftsman who made it, as doing something like this with the tools they had was very difficult, nad they wanted people to know that it was a very fine quality saw made by a quality craftsman who took his time and did the job right as opposed to cheaper saws produced with inferior materials that wouldnt hold up to the test of time and hard use.✌️

[@james_robnett]

I don't believe that, even a little. Even the most intricate nibs I've ever seen are trivially done with a fine file compared to the more complex process of finely sharpening the saw. Secondly by the mid 1800s saws weren't hand crafted, Disston and others perfected rolling out good consistent steel and cut their blades out. Only the teeth were filed.

[@brettkruskie]

I can honestly tell you that the nibs are not just decorative but it was a selling point, a makers mark. This would tell you how skilled the artisan was.

[@hanryfred8988]

Thanks just saw my first short and it helped my wooden swords production, for my friends and me thanks

[@Solinesn3p]

Good sir I am not in woodworking but I can appreciate the art. Your shorts helped a good friend of mine who is into woodworking!

[@WorkshopCompanion]

Thanks for saying.

[@georgelabottum7448]

And he’s wondering why his dog only has 3 legs.

[@Noxic72]

nahhhhh, u wild for that

[@andrewc2026]

But he doesn't. The fourth leg is behind the other one, out of view of the camera.

[@SharpForceTrauma]

😂

[@panamajack5972]

It's the same dog from the alice in chains album

[@Spearmphs_Personal_Acc]

The dog didn't see the nib

[@johnsrabe]

What happened is doughboys returning to the States brought back French saws, which had risque drawings of Can Can dancers on them, but were nibless. The dancers of course outweighed any benefits from nibs. A lot of people don’t know this. (I think your grandfather was a great guy, but I think those nibs are more likely to be decorations or scribes.)

[@ThatSB]

Is this a joke lol

[@stuartscargill]

that dog was so interested

[@TheRealBace]

Great bit of information and wholesome to boot.

[@joemilner7710]

It was also a signature of sorts… if the smith could make an intricate nib, it showed his capability

[@666lonewolf]

Absolutely correct.

[@gregjorda3080]

Indeed

[@martydom666]

False.

[@Alacritous]

The saw is right there to show the skill of the smith.

[@joemilner7710]

@@Alacritous yes but saw teeth aren’t 2d, each tooth is offset. It’s essentially a saws hood ornament

[@marcdc6809]

I do remember the phrase: haven't you paid for the entire saw then? I assumed it was more to do with the efficient use, you basically do more sawing in an hour if you use the entire blade... didn't think about the argument of wear and tear, thanks.

[@uberyoutuber3892]

I've seen dozens of people assume what it is, but your explanation makes the most sense and is even the most simplistic. "It's for starting cuts" said one guy and I'm like but you can just use the teeth of the saw to start a cut you don't need the nib for that.

[@Cheezeball99999]

Of all of the explanations the internet has to offer on these little spectacles, I believe yours. Because it came from you.

[@gawni1612]

Bro, I just casually found a wood wizard on youtube. wtf?

[@santiagocruz9426]

Yeah that's correct; I didn't know there weren't any hand woodworkers anymore. I evin complained about this in my 30's when I needed a new saw. I couldn't find one with a nib

[@RetroletsplayGBA]

Thought the dog was under the saw for a second 😂

[@bbluva20]

Absolutely fascinating!

[@jrdwhitney]

FINALLY; Someone who knows. I have seen many videos asking this question. Now we all know that the Saw Nib has nothing to do with the quality of the saw.

[@thijspluis9998]

what makes this more beleaveble then all the other theories?

[@Russ0107]

@@thijspluis9998 I don't find this one any more compelling than any of the others. It looks just like a way of showing the craftsman's skill, it's fancy. Nothing more.

[@johnnymac6242]

My grandfather was a master finish carpenter, he died when I was 13. One of the few things he taught me before he died was pay for the whole tool, use the whole tool. Cut with every tooth.

[@niczim123]

Now when I see someone not using the whole saw, I know why… they must have bought it on sale!

[@mikejettusa]

Very cool and interesting

[@frelnc]

I love your videos. Always educational and entertaining.

[@kennethbezanson4266]

This explanation makes the most sense of all the other reasons I've heard. I wonder if you made this video as a not of a response to wood by wright (James Wright). Thanks for sharing your knowledge!

[@twinkitwinki]

I'm going to have to disagree. Why did he mention that these nibs are also compasses in back scratchers then if they're used? Just for the saw? The other explanation of it being to show the craftsmanship, skill or quality of the metal makes far more sense.

[@PengiPou]

@@twinkitwinki yes its about craftsmanship. seeing the nib means nothing as you can see the end of the saw or how much length you've pulled out. You do not need to look at a nib to know if you're using the whole blade

[@ipleadguilty4918]

Far better explanation than "they did it because they could"

[@epone3488]

You're not wrong the real reason behind the saw nib was to demonstrate the precision of the blacksmith who made the saw and particularly the saw-teeth if they can make the "nib" then the teeth are a doddle.

[@itoibo4208]

@@epone3488 where is the logic in that? The teeth are probably more work than that little nib. All that nib would prove is that you could cut and file a couple of simple angles. No. That make no sense at all. I would bet my favorite toenail clipping that it had a real purpose.

[@achong007]

Thank you, I was always wondering about that.

[@onecarwood]

The dog is like quit talking and saw! Lol

[@Dr.AculaMD]

It also served as a testimony to the skill and craftsmanship of the maker. If you can make a nib, you can make a sawblade.

[@itoibo4208]

nonsense. Besides, it is on a saw. If you just made a sawblade, which this nib is on, it is safe to say that you could make a saw blade. 🤣

[@sw33p3rLeet]

It is in fact a form of signature from the smith who made the blade.

[@wil-fri]

Is said that swords have a soul

[@PengiPou]

Exactly this. The more intricate and smaller the nib is, the higher quality of the smith

[@itoibo4208]

no

[@itoibo4208]

@@PengiPou these simple nibs then would say the maker had very poor penmanship lol.

[@sw33p3rLeet]

@@itoibo4208 why? If my signature is simple does that mean I can't write? No, it doesn't.

[@natlee5051]

Sir, I sincerely appreciate your valuable knowledge & skills with your detailed explanation. I have learned from you & will put your guidance to use. 🙏🎁💐🙏

[@PaisleySundance]

Informative and wholesome, love it!

[@robertwolfgan]

I can see this man has that strength. Sawing through wood while talking like he's having a cup of coffee with friends or a beer

[@ratedredneck96]

Im pretty sure the nibs were put there to show the craftsmanship of the creator and how good he is at what he does. If nibs were there as a guide they would still be on saws today. They were there for status of the maker and his skills because such a small intricate detail took a lot of skill to do without overheating or breaking it off. The reason they disappeared is because everything started to become stamped so there wasnt a set of hands to make it to show his or her abilities.

[@Wustenfuchs109]

I would disagree - craftsmanship show was done through the quality and durability of the saw itself, no need to put a detail like this for that purpose. And if that was the reason, it would not be specifically placed near the top, but you'd have them placed in many different sections with different saws. Not to mention that nib is more or less the same thing as saw tooth itself. So a craftsman who could make a saw in the first place should be able to make a nib. So it wasn't really showcasing anything. The reason why you don't see it today is not that it is not an indicator - it is. But as you mentioned - stamping. To stamp that irregular shape on an otherwise straight line just adds to the cost. Also, in capitalism, you don't really want to help the customer. If they end up using only the middle part of the saw - better for you - they will come sooner to buy a new one. So why would you prolong the time between purchases? Nothing to do with showcasing the craftsman skill, all to do with practices of capitalism. Mass production and lower the time between purchases as much as possible.

[@primetimeturner_YT]

@@Wustenfuchs109i don’t see how you can disagree with this, it seems much more viable than just an “eye guide.” there are so many better choices for a guide that would work better than a nib, such as a mark of a different color. the nibs were used to show the craftsmenship of the saw

[@ratedredneck96]

@@Wustenfuchs109 cant judge quality of steel off looks. It can be beautiful but also be poor quality steel and not hold up. That little added tit shows the steel is good quality and strong as well as showing hes skilled enough to forge out that little thing without melting it off or overhardening it making it weak. If he can make that tiny nib strong you know the whole saw is good. Looks and quality are two very different things. Even the handle can look good and have engravings in it but if its not strong hard wood it wont hold up, just another thing you can be a little more sure of is if the saw blade itself is expertly crafted then the guy knows his stuff and made the handle out of proper stuff.

[@Wustenfuchs109]

@@primetimeturner_YT That makes absolutely no sense because the same skill used for making that nib is used for making saw teeth. But keep living in a delusion. Mark of color would not work as it would wear off over time. One clear indication that the nib had a clear guiding purpose is the location of it. But let's just ignore that and the fact that the same quality inquiry can be made by looking at saw teeth and stick to a ridiculous notion that it was a flex from a craftsman.

[@primetimeturner_YT]

@@Wustenfuchs109 check the poster’s comment. i will continue to disagree and believe it’s primary purpose was decorative and a way to show the skilled craftsmanship of its maker. nibs can be much more intricate than a saw tooth

[@awkwardfoxxo8050]

This guy is like a cheat code on carpentry class

[@SoupSlinger17]

That dog looked ready to jump for the saw lol