Refinishing some old ( antique ? ) saws

What’s up fellas? So, I came across a couple of old time 2-man hand saws, and I was thinking I’d like to shine them up a bit. Any advice on how to shine up the rusty blades?
I’m thinking I might mount one of them on the front of my wood rack.

 

I think it would be better to leave the patina that is there than go down to bare metal. Sand lightly to knock off lose rust then rub on a mixture of turpentine, boiled linseed oil, and melted beeswax. This can be applied to the wood handles also. Reapply once a year. Last time I made this mixture I poured it in some old plastic snuff cans. This is good for shovels, axes and other outdoor tools

 

Vinegar will remove the rust if you can rig up a way to soak them. Navel jelly works good too. A small wire brush or scotch brute will make it go quicker. I'd find out if they are marked before going crazy with a grinder or something aggressive.

 

Nice saws! The one on the right looks like it might be especially old.

I picked this up yesterday. Came with a sheath…whoever owned it previously either didn’t use the saw or took incredible care of it. I’m going to make mine look nice enough that my wife lets me hang it inside.



I’m hoping to make the etching clearer. It’s a Master Craftsman Big Fir bucking saw with western handles, made by Old Curtis Saw Company.

 

Personally id keep the patina on. Keeps the nice old time look to it. Maybe the FHC logo on one?

 

That’s not a bad idea, Brad. The saw in the middle looks most like the FHC logo saw. How can I make a FHC logo stencil?

 

Calling metalcuttr

He makes some nice stuff.

 

PatrickNY Send me a size. I'd be glad to send you a stencil cut out of metal. We don't want the FHC showing up on overpasses and stop signs though! (on Brad's tailgate would be ok)

 

They'll get real shiny if you use them enough.

 

Hey, Metal. Thanks. I'm at work now. I probably won't get home until Sunday, but I'll get measurements when I get home.

 

Can I run the FHC logo on my water jet here at work? Be glad to do so if we can figure out logistics

 

Hey buzz-saw can you auto trace or hand trace the logo? I have a number of FHC's in DXF that I can clean up and send you if you want to water jet the logo. Less postage. Either way is fine. I could cut one out and send today if I had the dimensions.

 

Just my opinion from my experiences.
If you hang it with the patina you can just enjoy it.
If you clean it up you will then have to decide how clean is good enough. It can turn into a rabbit hole.
Then once it is clean you will have to maintain it as it will rust just looking at it, thus adding another task to your chores.

 

Yes I can trace. I have a trace pad that if I trace it then make a DXF from it. Super easy to do

 

Rats. I was going to have a little fun making fancy handles out of a small yew tree we had to take down, but then I saw this old WPA stamp. I feel like I should keep the original handles now, even if they don’t look great.

 

No way would I replace that handle. Too much history there!

 

I would not put them outside or change the handles. If those saws could talk I am sure that there are a lot of stories they could tell.
I am always on the lookout. Not as easy to find as they used to be and certainly will get harder.

 

Thanks—I appreciate the confirmation. I’ll just lightly clean them but keep the patina and definitely the WPA mark. I wish I could bring the etch out a bit more but it’s mostly gone.

 

Far from any type of an expert on this subject.
It just seems like the antique type thing is harder and harder to come by. This type of thing to me would fall in this category.

 

Get a small bottle of gunstock wax and treat the handles. I think Birchwood Casey makes some. Don't know that I would do much sanding! Anything connected with the Works Progress Administration has historical significance!