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

Жыл бұрын

@@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

Жыл бұрын

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. kzread.infoNBtI2hV1GLo?feature=share

@MustashBoyeTheOneAndOnly

Жыл бұрын

Awesome stuff!

@j22mattones

Жыл бұрын

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

Жыл бұрын

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

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

Жыл бұрын

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

@bryancaviness8788

Жыл бұрын

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

@ghidfg

Жыл бұрын

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

Жыл бұрын

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

Жыл бұрын

@@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

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

@JesseJames-ig7gu

Жыл бұрын

👏

@ericredelman2568

Жыл бұрын

Lmao well played

@omnisciencce

Жыл бұрын

_👍_

@moltenCookie

Жыл бұрын

Well played, sir!

@ratmother.actual1294

Жыл бұрын

Legend

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

@BuckScrotumn

8 ай бұрын

lmaooooo

@Jeepsteve1982

6 ай бұрын

We need one with tritium now

@youngguns1319

5 ай бұрын

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

4 ай бұрын

​@@youngguns1319jesus

@railworksamerica

4 ай бұрын

how long till we add a red dot sight

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

@LibertyMonk

4 ай бұрын

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

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

@eh6971

Жыл бұрын

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

@killmeow2371

Жыл бұрын

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

@Delosian

11 ай бұрын

Geppetto!

@marktimmer2212

11 ай бұрын

@@Delosian Thank GoD!

@victoriagrayson5082

11 ай бұрын

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

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.

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

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

@flabbergastedTart

Жыл бұрын

Makes the mystery even more mysterious!

@RS-fz4ps

Жыл бұрын

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

Жыл бұрын

@@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

Жыл бұрын

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

Жыл бұрын

​@@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.

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

Жыл бұрын

👍👍 Great story. Thanks for sharing.

@ThatSB

Жыл бұрын

9000 hours? Wow. Hope it still paid well

@murrayblack1078

Жыл бұрын

@@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

Жыл бұрын

@@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

Жыл бұрын

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

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

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

@fyregus

Жыл бұрын

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

Жыл бұрын

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

@Nintardo

Жыл бұрын

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

@oneyearunder

Жыл бұрын

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

@СНІМР

Жыл бұрын

@@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

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

@robertsaget6918

Жыл бұрын

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

@hobomike6935

Жыл бұрын

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

11 ай бұрын

Agreed! And the content is very useful. Subscribed

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

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

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

@alissacheck4194

10 ай бұрын

💀

@BadSpock

9 ай бұрын

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

@Kili-mo-money

8 ай бұрын

I feared for his life! Oof

@TiddyTwyster

6 ай бұрын

Don't even get me started on the updog

@kigorian

6 ай бұрын

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

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

Жыл бұрын

Same.

@Violet-Storm

Жыл бұрын

Pipelines. Pipelines everywhere

@TheDoerOfRandomStuff

Жыл бұрын

This is my first

@VestinVestin

5 ай бұрын

KZread is clearly radicalizing you into woodworking.

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

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

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.

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

Жыл бұрын

This is what i was taught in school

@atomomnis2391

Жыл бұрын

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

Жыл бұрын

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

@alifaan595

Жыл бұрын

​​@@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

Жыл бұрын

​@@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.

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

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

What a delightful serendipity - even the music is perfect.

I swear grandfathers hold the eternal knowledge to the universe.

@brandoku7003

11 ай бұрын

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

11 ай бұрын

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

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

Жыл бұрын

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

@tristancraven3685

Жыл бұрын

I thought my grandfather had taught me everything.

@brokentombot

Жыл бұрын

He should have taught you to thought for yourself.

@Bart-Did-it

Жыл бұрын

@@brokentombot😊 thanks for the heads up

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

4 ай бұрын

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

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

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

@WorkshopCompanion

Жыл бұрын

Glad you finally sawed the light.

@ericredelman2568

Жыл бұрын

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

@BOTthelesser

Жыл бұрын

@@WorkshopCompanionhah

@hobomike6935

Жыл бұрын

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

@HyperSonicSquall

4 ай бұрын

@@ericredelman2568 that's some sharp insight.

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

@doonhamer252

8 ай бұрын

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 ..

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.

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

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

@WorkshopCompanion

Жыл бұрын

It's also where you plug in the headphones.

@Crucial_End

Жыл бұрын

Lol😂

@r.m.2413

Жыл бұрын

Good one!😅

@johnsrabe

Жыл бұрын

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

@oldkingcrow777

Жыл бұрын

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

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

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

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

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

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

@HazeEmry

10 ай бұрын

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

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

Doggo is entranced by the lesson. Awesome video.

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

@WorkshopCompanion

Жыл бұрын

She usually is.

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

Жыл бұрын

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

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

Жыл бұрын

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.

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

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.

For whatever reason I instantly subscribed to this man.

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

Love obscure information like this. Thank you!

Sir I love your clips. It rakes me back to my grandfathers joinery. Our forbears were REAL CRAFTSMEN, so very few with the knowledge are left!

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. 🙏💓

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

Жыл бұрын

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

@JackDesert

Жыл бұрын

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

@ciarangale4738

Жыл бұрын

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

@itoibo4208

Жыл бұрын

@@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

Жыл бұрын

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

that dog was so interested

This guy is like a cheat code on carpentry class

Next question: why did the nibs disappear?

@WorkshopCompanion

Жыл бұрын

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

Жыл бұрын

@@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

Жыл бұрын

​@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

Жыл бұрын

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

@WorkshopCompanion

Жыл бұрын

@@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.

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

KZread 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

11 ай бұрын

My condolences. And welcome.

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

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

Best explanation I have seen.

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

@WorkshopCompanion

9 ай бұрын

Your creativity is through the roof!

Hearing a kukri be called a backwards scimitar was beautiful

I love this guy

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

Finally a proper craftsman. He knows that a rule is a rule not a ruler.

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

Жыл бұрын

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

Жыл бұрын

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.

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

Жыл бұрын

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.

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

@WorkshopCompanion

3 ай бұрын

Thanks for saying.

Thought the dog was under the saw for a second 😂

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.

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.

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!

For about a fraction of a second, I actually thought the dog was in the path of the saw.

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

@Noxic72

Жыл бұрын

nahhhhh, u wild for that

@andrewc2026

11 ай бұрын

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

@SharpForceTrauma

11 ай бұрын

😂

@panamajack5972

9 ай бұрын

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

@Spearmphs_Personal_Acc

9 ай бұрын

The dog didn't see the nib

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

Жыл бұрын

Is this a joke lol

That dog looked ready to jump for the saw lol

Never knew about existence of this nib and I have my years, but now I know, thanks

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

@666lonewolf

Жыл бұрын

Absolutely correct.

@gregjorda3080

Жыл бұрын

Indeed

@martydom666

Жыл бұрын

False.

@Alacritous

Жыл бұрын

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

@joemilner7710

Жыл бұрын

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

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

Great bit of information and wholesome to boot.

Thank you. Simple explanation but very useful.

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

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

Best explanation I've heard yet. Good.

The dog is like quit talking and saw! Lol

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

Жыл бұрын

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

Жыл бұрын

@@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

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

Жыл бұрын

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. 🤣

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

4 ай бұрын

Thanks for saying.

There's something to be said about a master craftsman that's enthusiastic about teaching

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

Жыл бұрын

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

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

@epone3488

Жыл бұрын

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

Жыл бұрын

@@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.

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

I would love to listen to this guy teach literally any class he seems like santa and its lovely how he talks

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

Good to know the dogs paying attention.

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

Thank you mystery workshop man, may the algorithm bless me with your content in the future.

@WorkshopCompanion

11 ай бұрын

Workshop Companion Channel, kzread.info/dron/k480B1pofOjThMfkBjhDpQ.html

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

Жыл бұрын

what makes this more beleaveble then all the other theories?

@Russ0107

Жыл бұрын

@@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.

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

Жыл бұрын

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

Жыл бұрын

@@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

Жыл бұрын

@@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

Жыл бұрын

@@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

Жыл бұрын

@@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

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

7 ай бұрын

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

We used to go treasure hunting at thrift stores. There was a guy talking about collecting these. I would have asked him why, but I was playing with a Garfield landline phone.