Saw Handles and more

Next level in the saw shaping. Another hour and you will complete your saw handle.

I use the saw across the grain to shape the underside of the handle as I did for the underside of the handle yesterday.

Then I cut in toward the saw cut from both sides to shape the relief to the handle.

With the shape defined I file and sand to shape.

Now the underside of the handle looks like this.

Now I make an incursion to handle for more grace and shape to the handle.

Use a pencil to rough the shape of the chip carving to one side of the handle.

And then chip with the knife. Begin with a vertical centre-line cut followed by an angle cut towards the knife cut. You must feel for the grain direction so that you are cutting with the grain as much as possible. This will give a clean, incise cut with crisp lines.

With the chip carving done, apply three coats of shellac and steel wool when dry to smooth the finish.

And here is what it looks like when finished with three coats of shellac and wax and polish. Scroll down to blogs below to see it before I reworked it.