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Richardson Saw
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Technically
not a collage, but nonetheless an interesting assembly of tools
with a theme, the 2009 Woodworking Tools Catalog cover (shown
at right) elicited many responses from customers and tool aficionados
as to the authenticity and practicality of some of the saws
shown. The tool described today, along with another that we
will talk about in a future newsletter, has been the source
of numerous requests for more information.
On April 14, 1885, Christopher Richardson of Newark, New Jersey,
was granted patent #315,663, in which he sought to change the
plate construction of the common handsaw. The inclusion of a
three-sided opening from the handle to the middle of the blade
was the basis of the patent claim. However, the improvements
he couldn't patent were the resulting reduced friction and the
requirement of less set in the saw-plate teeth. He also claimed
that although material had been removed from the plate, there
was no appreciable loss in its strength; thus, there was no
increased kinking or binding during use. Richardson described
the improvement in manufacture, claiming the removal of the
blade metal (the triangular cutout) allowed for faster tempering
(between two metal plates) and subsequent hammering done to
correct any deficiencies. It should be noted that the patent
description and drawing illustrate a slot cut in the saw plate
running from the triangle cutout to the rear edge of the blade;
this would be hidden by the handle. The saw shown here does
not have this particular feature. It's unknown if such a saw
was ever manufactured, as no original model was provided to
the patent office.
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