An 18th Century Saw by Philip W. Baker

Maker - Mary Johnson from Boston, Mass. - c. 1760

This may be the only known American Hand Saw dating from the 18th century.

Mary Johnson is listed in the Boston Directory as recorded in Shaffer's book - "Hand Saw Makers of North America and the EAIA Directory of American Tool Makers.

The saw has been examined by notable American and British experts who agree it is an American tool. In the mid 18th century there were no Johnsons making saws in Great Britain.

Philip W. Baker

Please note the following characteristics of this saw:

Face side:

JOHNSON CAST STEEL is stamped on the saw's back. The saw is smithy made indicated by the tool work used to shape it.

Two wrought iron "rose heads" rivets secure the handle to the blade. The rivet heads are typical to rivet type nails used to fasten door hinges and other hardware of the 17th and 18th century.

The handle is small - 2 3/8". As makers worked into the 19th century, openings in most cases, were 3".

The London Pattern handle, it has the flat base, is early. Three other American saws in my collection have this type of handle and are dated before 1840.

Overall manufacture is not up to the standards of the 19th century. The lack of uniformity in the saw's back is evident. The steel of the blade was found soft when filed, indicating a lack of knowledge in metallurgy.

Reverse Side:

Void indicated by arrow is a result of the unsophisticated hammering process to shape the blade.

I do not believe the saw was subjected to good grinding - if any at all. Washers for rivets are brass.

Saw Talk with Philip W. Baker