Wenzloff's copy of the Seaton tenon saw looks too big and too flimsy to our modern eyes.  But after several months of intense use, the saw has proven itself as an effective cabinetmaker's tool.

In 1989, Wenzloff returned to Oregon and enrolled in Multnomah School of the Bible (he says he can still read biblical Greek, with some effort). He graduated and helped to start a church on the island of Kauai with his best friend from school. But after starting the church, Wenzloff says it was obvious the congregation couldn't support two full-time people. So he returned to Oregon, worked as a graphic designer and got involved with a number of churches. Church life didn't work out for Wenzloff and he describes himself now as a bit "soured" on organized religion. But the graphic design was going well. By 1993 he was working for Audio Precision, a maker of high-end audio test equipment in Beaverton, Ore., Wenzloff worked on the company's manuals – the writing, design and illustrations. Through all that Wenzloff continued to build furniture, and by 2002 he gave up the regular paycheck to become a professional woodworker. He built commissions for clients and wound up specializing in liquor cabinets and display cabinets with an early 20th century flair – Danish modern, for the most part. Business looked promising until February 2004 when a severe bout of walking pneumonia (30 days of it), resulted in diabetes.

"My body was zooming downhill," Wenzloff says. "After tests, they (the doctors) kept wondering why I wasn't in a coma."

Suddenly a Saw Maker

His health improved, though by August 2005, Wenzloff stopped accepting general furniture commissions, except from a couple clients.  But the saw sharpening skills that he picked up at age 7 came in handy again.  Like his great-uncle and grandfather, Wenzloff had always sharpened saws on the side throughout all his career shifts.  "It was basically like paper route money for me," he says.

Because of his sharpening acumen, he was involved with the local hand tool organizations, and he was asked to make a few saws.  One thing led to another and he ended up making 15 halfback saws for a group of East Coast tool collectors.

"I thought, hmmmm, this is pretty fun.  This is something I can do in this health condition," Wenzloff says.  "By November 2005 we looked at our taxes and saw how much money I had made from saw sharpening and making saws."

So at the tail end of 2005, Wenzloff & Sons Saw Makers was born.  And it really is a family affair.  Two of Wenzloff's three sons, Kristofor, 31, and William, 24, work alongside their father in their Forest Grove, Ore., shops.  Wenzloff's spouse, Dina, is also heavily involved and is no slouch in the shop herself, especially on the lathe.

The Wenzloffs make a line of standard backsaws and panel saws, including a halfback-style saw, a close adaptation of the Disston No. 9 backsaw, a Harvey Peace tenon saw and a dovetail saw based heavily on Wenzloff's personal favorite, a 10" Moulson Brothers dovetail saw with a .018"-thick sawplate.  But in addition to a standard line, the Wenzloffs readily accept custom work.  Wenzloff can work from photos (thanks to his graphic design background) and offers a wide variety of saw filings (including progressive rake and pitch), thanks to his long association with saws.

Wenzloff also has a flair for customer service and sends out sketches of the plans for the saw and progress shots as he moves along.  Though I assumed he was doing this extra service for me because of my job as a journalist, I found that's not the case.  After talking to his other customers, they all report the same level of care and attention.

Much of Wenzloff's furniture-making equipment came in handy for the new business, such as a couple band saws, a drum sander, 9" x 48" belt sander and a drill press.  Other tools are more particular to the business of building saws, including a vertical mill/drill, a shear for cutting steel, re-toothers and Foley saw filers – though Wenzloff finishes all his saw with hand filing and setting.

The fit and finish of Wenzloff's saws exceeds that of many old makers. Everything fits tight and feels right. No disappointments.

From the time he launched the saw making business in late December until June, Wenzloff says they've made 175 saws, though the pace seems to be quickening lately.  Three of those saws (a tenon saw, handsaw and halfback saw) were for me.