Saw Blade Cutter- Chaveta

[stdly]

I made this with a angle grinder and a file.
Not sure if it will hold an edge but it only took 20 minutes to make.

Steve

 

[deluxestogie]

Outstanding. Most chavetas were made from old saw blades. I believe they would begin the back edge below the circular hole, and just grind away the teeth. So each old blade could be made into two chavetas. I believe that approach is what defined the typical radius of curvature for the sharpened edge, rather than some mystical, ergonomic consideration.

Bob

 

[stdly]

Outstanding. Most chavetas were made from old saw blades. I believe they would begin the back edge below the circular hole, and just grind away the teeth. So each old blade could be made into two chavetas. I believe that approach is what defined the typical radius of curvature for the sharpened edge, rather than some mystical, ergonomic consideration.

Bob

Thanks and interesting.
I only had a 7 1/4" blade so I used the centre to get a full 6" wide blade.

Steve

 

[Knucklehead]

Outstanding. Most chavetas were made from old saw blades. I believe they would begin the back edge below the circular hole, and just grind away the teeth. So each old blade could be made into two chavetas. I believe that approach is what defined the typical radius of curvature for the sharpened edge, rather than some mystical, ergonomic consideration.

Bob

Interesting. I just always assumed they were made from used hand saw blades. I never read that I just pictured in my mind a thinner blade of good quality steel. stdly did a great job and certainly kept true to the original intent of repurposing some thing on hand and accessible. Money was scare in some of those tobacco growing island/countries. I expect the blade will hold a nice edge.

 

[deluxestogie]

I never read that

I can't say that I've seen or read the specific saw blade source. On the other hand, circular saw blades were invented in the late 1700s, so they've been around a long time. My impression is that a high quality, straight saw blade can be repeatedly sharpened until the depth of the spine is no longer able to support the stress, whereas all but the largest, ripsaw, circular saw blades, by virtue of their function, need to retain a close approximation to their initial radius. But I'm just guessing here, and don't really mean to sound authoritative.

Bob

 

[MRM]

I made mine from a concrete cutting blade.
Takes forever to get an edge and even longer for it to dull.

 

[stdly]

I have never seen a real one, this blade is about .05 thick anyone know what kind of an angle to sharpen at.

 

[RUNSUPRIVER]

Looks Good! The angle to sharpen isn't very specific, since it cuts mostly by pressing/rocking against a hard surface. If you screw up the angle, you have plenty of steel left to try again on that blade. Angle technically depends on the hardness of the edge and if it tends to roll the edge over or not. Best bet is to sharpen and try. Fun project!

 

[MRM]

I have never seen a real one, this blade is about .05 thick anyone know what kind of an angle to sharpen at.

I use 15° on mine and am very happy.

 

[stdly]

I used it this morning to de-stem a pound works good, hard on the hand.
Made a handle from an broken hatchet handle not sure why I kept it until now.
Slotted it with a hack saw blade first and the a hand saw and it is a perfect fit.
Slight curve fits good in the hand.

Steve

 

[RUNSUPRIVER]

Cool! Looks like bone.

 

[stdly]

I found my pipe stains and thought I would practice by staining my handle.
I sanded but left all the marks, then went black sanded back, then red sanded back, finally a tung oil finish that needs a few more coats.
It turned out okay, the grain is not great.

Steve

 

[deluxestogie]

When you croak, that naked, saw blade chaveta might have ended up being tossed. Your new handle guarantees that it will live on, beyond your mortal flesh. I think it looks wonderful, with an heirloom aura.

Bob