Set & File: A Practical Guide to Saw Sharpening, Matt Cianci (book)

In Set & File, Matt Cianci (aka The Saw Wright) teaches the fundamentals of maintaining backsaws and handsaws: how to file and joint your saws with the correct rake, fleam and pitch to keep them cutting sharp. You'll also learn how to deal with teeth that are in good shape but dull, and how to doctor teeth that have been abused.

Matt also shows how to identify and restore vintage saws, such as whether a yard-sale box lot is a good buy, and basic sawsmithing: how to hammer out a bent blade and re-set the spine on a backsaw.

He wrote the book because none of the vintage texts on saw sharpening include macro photos of what the teeth should look like at each stage. Once you see the teeth up close, filing is much easier because you know the goal at every step. Many of the photos were made with super-macro lenses.

With hundreds of step-by-step photos and clear instruction, the techniques are easy to see and follow. No secrets or hard-to-find tools are needed; the only specialty tools are a good saw vise (Matt includes dimensions for one you can make), a set of saw files, a saw set and a few shop-made guides from scrap.

The 88-page book has a grey cloth cover over 98 pt boards, matte coated paper and a sewn binding. It is produced and printed in the United States.