To sharpen a hand saw you need a triangular saw file that suits the tooth count of the saw. If the file is too small the teeth become pointed and weak; if it is too large you cannot shape the gullets properly.
Choosing the right file
Measure the height of the teeth from root to tip. It should be 30–40% of the width of the file face.
Guide from Matt Cianci’s book Set & File (Lost Art Press), teeth per inch (tpi) and file:
3.5–5 tpi: 7" or 8" regular taper
5–7 tpi: 7" slim taper
7–8 tpi: 6" slim taper
9 tpi: 6" extra slim taper
10–11 tpi: 6" double extra slim taper
12–15 tpi: 4" or 5" double extra slim taper
Bahco recommendations
Bahco file series 183, 186, 187, 188 and 190 with the recommended length per tooth count:
2 1/2 tpi: 183 10"
3 tpi: 183 8"
3 1/2 tpi: 183 7"
4 tpi: 183 6", 186 8"
4 1/2 tpi: 183 5", 186 8"
5 tpi: 183 5", 186 7"
6 tpi: 183 4", 186 6", 187 7"
7 tpi: 186 5", 187 6", 190 8"
8 tpi: 186 5", 187 5", 188 6", 190 7"
9 tpi: 186 4", 187 5", 188 6", 190 6"
10 tpi: 187 4", 188 5"
11 tpi: 188 5"
12–15 tpi: 188 4"
See our range: Saw Files
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