I always thought the nib was a laser sight mount, and the laser sight itself just took longer to invent than the Egyptians were expecting.
@bradfiske8103
Жыл бұрын
As a carpenter by trade I was trained to set a finish nail in wood and then measure the required radius and scribe a circle. Hooking the nib at the nail and placing a pencil at the root of the tooth and spinning the saw to mark the circle to be cut.
@MelvinGrified
Жыл бұрын
Hello, how is everything going over there. I'm Melvin and I want us to talk it's very important.
@jayski9410
Жыл бұрын
This reminds me of when I learned all about the framing square's extra features. That knowledge came to me from a book called "Steel Square" by Gilbert Townsend first published in 1939. You learn that the square is almost a solid state computer for the carpenter of those days. Especially when paired up complimentary tools like the sliding T bevel and dividers.
@charleswestbrooks1257
Жыл бұрын
Jay Ski my Father was a union carpenter following WW2. He kept all his books from his days as an apprentice and now I have all his books including "The Steel Square" by Gilbert Townsend. I've leaned a lot for those old books.
@nigelwylie01
Жыл бұрын
10:57 “So why is the nib there? It’s there because we are human; and we are drawn to beautiful things that inspire us and make us want to do better. And that’s probably the best use you could possibly have for a nib.” Very nice speech sir. You really are an inspiring philosopher. Thank you.
@graywulf19
Жыл бұрын
I think one of the things we really have lost as a consumer society is the idea that sometimes "decoration" is itself a purpose.
@jayztoob
Жыл бұрын
When I learned woodworking from my dad in the 1950s, he had several saws with nibs. The rip saw he gave me had two nibs; one at 2" and another at 4" from the cutting depth. His crosscut saws didn't have nibs. The construction techniques at the time required cutting lots of notches, and we used the nibs to gauge the depths of the cuts. By the 1960s we could no longer find saws with consistently placed nibs, so we would break them off. Some saws had a notch insead of a nib, but those disappeared, too. It's too bad those old saws weren't made with modern metals; they performed best when sharpened daily, bent easily, and would eventually break. Other carpenters had other explanations for the nibs and notches, but Dad and I put them to good use.
@LChalifoux
Жыл бұрын
Well that is fascinating! Thanks for sharing that history. As a jewelry maker, the original purpose of the nib as a maker's mark immediately made sense to me. And then I thought it might be fun to pierce a small design in the end of a saw blade as an "owner's mark". Doesn't need to be fancy - a small geometric design would work - as long as it's tidy and clean. A nice finishing touch for plain older saws you've found at a flea market and refurbished with elbow grease and love.
@hydrochloridrix
Жыл бұрын
This reminds me of how artists put a fly in every painting they did. Why? Because they could do it and more importantly, to show that they could do it. Anyways, great video as always!
@jamesthompson7825
Жыл бұрын
All new information to me. I ran downstairs to my shop to see how fancy the nib was on my old Disston saw and I am nibless. I didn’t know what a nib was until ten minutes ago and now I am bummed that I don’t have one. At least your tee shirt equation gave me a smile.
@johnpae9236
Жыл бұрын
This sortof history and exploring how these details and rituals connect us to our human past is something that I love to see. Thanks for the great lesson!
@SandyMasquith
Жыл бұрын
Fascinating. I don't know why, but this is fascinating information! Thanks for taking the time to research and make this video.
@jeb419
Жыл бұрын
That sums it up very well. Clearly just a decorative element and mark of a caring craftsman (or company) .
@margaretaltvater8765
Жыл бұрын
you had me hooked! your right "not the answer we want". great video! i really enjoyed the deep dive in time. on some history of the saw. thanks for sharing!
@geneoshaughnessy525
Жыл бұрын
I appreciate the research. I think when I summarize it, I will say it is there to keep you thinking about how to use your tools. Just based on all of the uses you collected, I'd say it's pretty effective.
@bigoldgrizzly
Жыл бұрын
My grandfather used to say 'it is just for nice' ... ie ornamentation
@dallen521
Жыл бұрын
Thank you for that. I enjoyed your enthusiasm explaining about “the nib”.
@SkylersRants
Жыл бұрын
I always assumed it was an alignment point for the manufacturer, letting him put it in a jig for some sort of fixture.
@michaelarighi5268
Жыл бұрын
Fascinating! Like the Lascaux caves--no practical use, but an expression of our need for beauty and self-expression.
@allenguffey9370
Жыл бұрын
Love this one! nothing like a little history lesson on old tools!
@hardrock1826
Жыл бұрын
The artistry in those saw handles is really impressive. I'm going to keep my eyes open this summer in the hope I can find one or two at farm sales they have from time to time. And I'll keep my eyes open for a saw with a Nib.
@rufustoad1
Жыл бұрын
Great job. So much architecture that has gone away including in a simple hand saw.
@steh8217
Жыл бұрын
I have seen people using the string on the nib before to hold the cover on the saw and thought it was really clever 👍but I'm with you, it's just to look good
@fngrusty42
Жыл бұрын
I come from 4 generations of carpenters. My uncles always said they were for starting a cut over head where you couldn't reach easily on 2 of his old saws they had been sharpened. Love the video. By the way I grew up with disten hand saws love them first years as a carpenter we built the whole house with hand saws mainly because you couldn't get electricity out where we built. Glad I was young then would kill me now
@ElizaJ42
Жыл бұрын
I'm a stitcher; learning about any tools is relevant and interesting. Thanks for the labor of love.
@dakusa_dave
Жыл бұрын
I always thought the comment was a decorative feature, like the nib on a saw. Now I know it has real utility. Thank you.
@larryk6330
Жыл бұрын
I love this kind of suff. Knowng how the tools I use (almost) every day evolved; that's really cool.
@jennessalynam7682
Жыл бұрын
This was a very interesting video. I learned sooo much more about hand saws. Thank you and loved the song at the end! You have a nice singing voice.
@orandilu989
Жыл бұрын
I LOVE this deep dive. Excellently explained, fantastic build up into the reveal and reasoning behind it. + more 😊 It's obvious you spent hours upon hours researching this. Thank you immensely for converting it into such a (relatively) short and entertaining demonstration of what you've learned. You rock.
@Sailor376also
Жыл бұрын
Great video !! I am a dinosaur. It has been years since I did a full house rough in, but I always had two handsaws with me. a rip and a crosscut. When they needed it I'd send them off to Boston Saw and Knife, Needham, Mass,, and always to them even though I moved about the country over the years. With a handsaw I could cut a 2X4 faster than with a power saw,,, I did not need to unroll and stretch a cord. The break point came at 20 or 25, 2x4s. And there are jobs, even today,, butcher block kitchen counter, the sink cut out. A guided battery powered circular saw for the long edges,, but at the corners where no over cut is allowed,, a hand saw can make that corner better than any other method except a template with a large router and a down spiral bit. Even then,, the handsaw is a lot faster.
@JinKee
Жыл бұрын
Reminds me of the Far Side comic called "Cow Tools." One of the tools looked like a saw, and then people spent 30 years arguing about the meaning of the other tools.
@adelheidsnel5171
Жыл бұрын
Great dive-in, great nibblings!
@jas20per
Жыл бұрын
Here in the uk builders panel saws once had a row of about twenty teeth where you have the nib. Though these where of practical use, for instance if you where cutting a second use piece of timber say in a house or taking up and re adjusting an old floor board and came up against a nail buried in the wood you would turn the saw the Iron nail using the teeth on the back of the saw not damaging a whole run of teeth on the user side.
@timothymallon
Жыл бұрын
10:58 that quote alone was reason to watch this video! Thanks James!
@brocbradley2313
Жыл бұрын
A great deep dive and extremely informative. I just received a high end panel saw that was shipped with a wood tooth guard. The guard would fall off. I though that I could hold the guard in place with an elastic hair band. My saw has no nib and the band would slide down and become too loose. A nib would have held it in place.
@tdbla98
Жыл бұрын
By far one of my favorite wood working KZitemrs!
@andrewcodelka5158
Жыл бұрын
That's why I love your channels, James.... deep dives into the obscure!
@morganhurst_redridge
Жыл бұрын
That's really interetsing, I'm still fairly new to handtools and I havn't a saw with a nib yet but it cool to know that it's just a sign of craftsmanship!
@andrewbrimmer1797
Жыл бұрын
I like how you nibble at the facts and come up with an answer
@professor62
Жыл бұрын
You hit a home run with this vid, James! VERY informative, educational, and entertaining all at once! And as you always say, “So thank you for that!” Would love to have more of these, professor! :-)
@iainmcculloch5807
Жыл бұрын
Thank you for this James. I have occasionally wondered about nibs, but never got around to doing any research (and none of my saws actually have one). Now I know. 😄
@djsmith5025
Жыл бұрын
I'm a subscriber and watch your videos regularly. Although this wasn't a project video, I enjoyed it thoroughly. I enjoy the history of woodworking and you did a great job delivering this history lesson. Thank you, and I encourage you to do more like it.
@mm9773
Жыл бұрын
I was today years old when I first saw a nib on a handsaw, even though I’ve had an interest in woodworking for quite some time now, and I do own a bunch of saws and have seen tons of pictures and videos. Interesting. I find it weird, not because I wish the answer was different, but because this ornamentation doesn’t look very ornate to me - it really does look like it should have a function.
@adamwise3113
Жыл бұрын
Same! I've never seen a nib or even heard it mentioned tangientially.
@mm9773
Жыл бұрын
Update: 3:17 In this instance, you can see the end of the saw. Graham Blackburn recently said in a video that the nib is indeed there to indicate that the saw is about to end - when you’re ripping large boards and can’t see the other side. That way you’re making sure to use the full length of the saw, to wear the teeth evenly. This strikes me as the best explanation by far, because it also neatly explains why this “ornamentation” isn’t ornate at all in most cases, but looks functional. Also, Graham has a white beard. Wisdom and old knowledge.
@JaspisB
Жыл бұрын
Love the deep-dive into something I had no idea I wanted to know about!
@brucematthews6417
Жыл бұрын
Great fun! Something so esoteric that generations sought out a reason when there was none.
@johntailing5283
Жыл бұрын
Fascinating, a couple of my old dads saws had nibs , or what was left of them, , , , as a kid I always thought it was a bottle opener! !
@rbos6285
Жыл бұрын
as a carpenter on site in the uk for the past 30 + years and as you say seeing tools change over the years to plastic and rubber and skills also change to less skilfull i am ribbed for my age and asked what and how certain tools are used.... as i said im on site so its only fair to have fun and make things up when asked by the younger members of my team... i Have one of the saws with a nib on it and until now had no idea what it was for so told them it was for siting the saw up for a stright cut when you first start out your training thats why i only have one.... having watched your video im i will now point them in your direction for the truth
@jawkeye
Жыл бұрын
Pretty neat, sounds like it's like a hood ornament on a car (which I guess did have a purpose at one point, but the fancy part was just to look fancy).
@walterholmes4609
Жыл бұрын
Once out of the service in the early 70s I started working for a home builder. Didn't like framing, though, and so started messing about with furniture, but could not afford a table saw. Tried my hand with a couple of old panel saw, the proper name for what is called a 'hand saw' (all saws operated by hand are hand saws.) Anyway, in a subsequent quest to sharpen my saws I turned to the wood guru of my locale, Fred Wyman. I could write a book about Fred, but in short, he told me the nibs were a code for the type and set of the teeth, so the carpenter would alway sharpen them correctly. I never pursued this because I found a shop that sharpened saws. Anyhow, thanks for setting the record straight.
@pitsnipe5559
Жыл бұрын
Never seen a saw with that nib before, interesting. I have five saws between 50 to 100 years old. Working to restore them, although they do work well as is.
@WoodByWrightHowTo
Жыл бұрын
most companies stopped making them over 100 years ago. so they are a bit harder to find.
@markhinds1361
Жыл бұрын
I really enjoy your in-depth approach to the true art of woodworking. Thank you
@haijyhermanni
Жыл бұрын
Brilliant stuff! I bought a big old ripsaw a few years back and it had exactly that kind of tooth guard you were talking about. There was an old yarn that went around the handle, but the other end was attached with a sturdy wire that went around the nib. I always thought it was a bit weird to attach it like that, but kept the guard anyway, because it felt like there's a story behind it.
@andykielisch105
Жыл бұрын
That makes a lot of sense cuz whenever I make my own tools or workbench whatever I want to make it look nice. When you start making money stuff for the money. It becomes a job it's not a hobby anymore so it makes more sense to cut up the little stuff that takes time and just knock it out.
@The-Backlog
Жыл бұрын
Was expecting dad jokes, Was NOT expecting a historical delve into ancient Egypt, and a philosophical explanation of man's propensity to seek beauty!
@WoodByWrightHowTo
Жыл бұрын
I thought I would try to be more like your videos.
@johnmm
Жыл бұрын
What's interesting and relevant now - for saws, and indeed for all tools - is understanding the marks/indicators of quality for each class of tools. Sounds like nibs on saws are a mark of hand saw quality. That and fancy handles.
@johng1097
Жыл бұрын
Thanks for doing and showing all the research - instead of just sharing Distons answer !
@myrlwallace9012
Жыл бұрын
Wonderful history lesson! I am one who has always loved a well-made tool. When they are also decorative, it is so much better.
@rewindowl4607
Жыл бұрын
That is actually really neat! I love the history behind it and how it evolved over time.
@jodyblum2189
Жыл бұрын
All kidding aside your videos are very informative and fun to watch. Thanks
@peterdewitt8585
Жыл бұрын
I really like this type of video, a history of the tools and a good story! More of this type of video please!
@robertleonard378
Жыл бұрын
I have a few old saws and found this quite interesting. So I found myself watching the whole video to see the reason.
@petersaupe7455
Жыл бұрын
When I started my apprenticeship in the 1960,s Saturday morning was spent sharpening tools. The nib on the saws was to hold the tooth protector. When I bought my USA made Disston rip saw it had no nib but the still beautiful engraving. A British Spear and Jackson was two weeks wages.My Disston was 5 weeks wages. My godfather was a generous man. Took it to day release college,the envy of the class. Mr Hawkins said it would be perfect if it had the nib. 12 students and 2 instructor over to engineers workshop and very carefully it was given a nib. The whole class used it that day and all said they would get one. Whist they were saving for the rip saw i then bought a Disston panel saw and only took it to class to do my finals in my City and Guilds exam. I still have both but they are in honorable retirement as am I.
@TerkanTyr
Жыл бұрын
I don't sheathe my saw, and I just realized I'm a neanderthal for it. I'm a modern craftsman, cutting a relief in an MDF and cardboard IKEA TV bench so it fits flush without touching the outlet. I cut cardboard rectangles to cover the internal cardboard structure of the TV bench, I glue them on and paint them white. I put the TV bench in place and sit down to play Valheim, where I can use the forest around me as I wish. My ancestors cry.
@EoinReardon
Жыл бұрын
very informative and interesting, thanks James!
@paulkramer4176
Жыл бұрын
Hmm, for some reason I'd not looked at many of your videos. When I saw the title I was prepared to find whatever you said not convincing, as I didn't believe there was anyway to prove what it was for. Congratulations. I agree. Very well done. I'm now a subscriber.
@mikeandlucky
Жыл бұрын
Really love the history of woodworking. Thanks.
@hulkthedane7542
Жыл бұрын
Thank you for tickling my inner nerd 👍👍👍. I am currently, and have been for a little over 2 years, sick with stress. That has taken away SO many of my layers (Shrek's "I am like an onion"-theory), that I have almost lost myself. I used to LOVE details and nerding, and watching your video makes me realise, that I still do. I keep getting better, and now I got the layer "nerding" back 👍🌞. Thanks!
@caroleast9636
Жыл бұрын
Sometimes things are just lost in history, but we like to cling to tradition 12:52
@genexplore
Жыл бұрын
This feature reminds me of the tiny handles on maple syrup bottles. Very cool!
@TombstoneThe
Жыл бұрын
i just like learning stuff, especially related to trades/crafts, and this video was informative and presented well. can't ask for anything more, thank you
@mattelias721
Жыл бұрын
Opinion: it's to tell the worker the point beyond which on the pull (toward the worker) will bend/bind the saw, and decorative is more awesome. You need to post a link where you obtain you awesome tee shirts.
@ethanrchitty371
Жыл бұрын
I feel silly now for spending as much time as I have hunting for a nibbed saw.
@til7545
Жыл бұрын
Wow, I didn‘t even know about this nib-thing (my saws sadly don’t have a nib). I just love how you entertain and teach at the same time, it’s great fun watching every time - thank you!!
@andrewdavidson5209
Жыл бұрын
Brilliant I always wondered what that little knob was for, now I know. Thanks Andrew
@rhpsoregon
Жыл бұрын
THANK YOU! Mystery solved. The Disston quote should end any arguements.
@mikesuckling8652
Жыл бұрын
Wonder what woodworkers will be talking about 100 years from now? “I remember the days of the 3D printer”. “Back then we still used our hands……”
@uliphotode
Жыл бұрын
Now i want to start a band and call it "The Nib".
@carlconway
Жыл бұрын
An interesting history lesson on the saw. Not being a trained craftsman but a hobbyist I wasn't even aware that saws had this detail on them, but now I do I'll look out for it in future 👍🏻
@SilasWasHere
Жыл бұрын
I knew not much about saws before I watched this video but still found it entertaining. I think I’ll go watch more now
@DanielLee-wc9gb
Жыл бұрын
Nice history of saws. History always takes you to interesting places.
@johnkelley9877
Жыл бұрын
That was very interesting! I did not know that saws had nibs but now I know. Thanks for sharing this.
@stick9648
Жыл бұрын
I used to have a piece of hardwood with a single kerf down the center that would fit over the top of the blade to add rigidity and a place for the other hand to hold more pressure to the front end and it would not slip past that point, so there !
@justplanebob105
Жыл бұрын
This was really interesting, James. I tried to think of a pun or even a smart alec comment. Then I looked up John Dewey quotes on Art; still nothing. I guess saw making is an expressive art just like wood sculpting, painting, theater or music. It satisfies our human need for expression, thus the nib. 😁
@davybarr5919
Жыл бұрын
Very interesting. I've heard lots of theories, but this really makes the most sense.
@adrianscarlett
Жыл бұрын
I'd have assumed it was to provide a way to hold a protective sheath in place
@ws6619
Жыл бұрын
such a great walk down history lane.... you have a talent for this I appreciate greatly.
@spook233
Жыл бұрын
Thank you for looking into this information! I appreciate learning about traditional crafting designs
@jamessunderland362
Жыл бұрын
Great video James. Finally someone has done their research and an informative video on this ever debated topic!
@pwnmeisterage
Жыл бұрын
How about a video about _useful_ features of old hand tools which are now gone and perhaps forgotten?
@alholston-smith7631
Жыл бұрын
Very interesting, I enjoy your historical side stories, and they are informative… Cheers
@shanksjeffcott8598
Жыл бұрын
Awesome vid. A few years ago picked up 3 old saws put picks up on a saw collection page asking about them. One had nib. Got a lot of good information including that the nib” is just to look cool🙂” out of the 3 it was suggested the it was not worth keeping and restoring but the others were. Which one did a keep for myself, yep the one with the nib, why because it looks cool, and to me it makes it special its the only saw with anything fancy and I love it because Im human 😂. And I agree with the idea that because you can use something on a tool for this or that doesn’t prove that’s was the intent. I have been shown so so many cool tricks of the trade with tools that the tool wasn’t intended for. Your videos were the first i watch 6 years when I started to learn about woodworking and tool use and restoration. Hope your read this you have improved my life with your knowledge and humour and got me into wood work and gave me the confidence to try new things thanks again
@WoodByWrightHowTo
Жыл бұрын
thanks man. that means a lot. let me know if there is ever something you want to see.
@shanksjeffcott8598
Жыл бұрын
@@WoodByWrightHowTo thanks so much for the reply. So far everytime i need info you do a vid on 👍
@Imperator-el4nt
9 ай бұрын
When I first saw the nib I thought it was just a weird hook to hang the saw on 😅
@RickaramaTrama-lc1ys
7 ай бұрын
I enjoyed your video very much and you obviously know what you are talking about, and I admire that and as My Dad was a Union Carpenter all his life and I as an apprentice for a time learned some things about hand saws and I have some of his old saws with some being sharpened so many times they have close to a point at the end of the teeth. Your lesson on the Nib was interesting and I really didn't have a good understanding about it and now I do so thanks for that, and I was happy to subscribe today so I can learn more History about wooden hand tools.
@zanedodge2176
Жыл бұрын
Whoooh - don't let Sarah see that Joe Cocker segment! Hehehe.....
@rogerslone6742
Жыл бұрын
Love you channel,lots of knowledge you share with us, thanks so much
@margaretkrantz1469
Жыл бұрын
Really found this an interesting exploration. Thanks!
@RIBill
Жыл бұрын
I was going to make a snarky comment that the video was great but needed a dad joke. But the serenade made up for it many times over! Also, I LOVE pretty saws even tho I don't have the skill necessary to do much more than rough cutting with them.
@oxxnarrdflame8865
Жыл бұрын
Cool story. I’ve have some old hand saw I got from my father and grandfather but I’ve never seen one with a nib.
@WoodByWrightHowTo
Жыл бұрын
First companies stopped making them with the nib around 100 years ago. Though there are a few modern companies that put them on for fun.
@emm_arr
Жыл бұрын
I'm glad I discoved this channel a couple of years ago. Another good video!
@meade6291
Жыл бұрын
After watching this video, if you find yourself near Philadelphia visit the Mercer museum. It's a museum of pre-industrial revolution tools. Amazing place for tool heads
@WoodByWrightHowTo
Жыл бұрын
That is high on the list of places to visit.
@meade6291
Жыл бұрын
I enjoyed it very much but don't recommend it on a hot day. It is several floors high with no air conditioning
@jaayjones5937
Жыл бұрын
Respectfully I think a better place to end this video would have been at 11:12. Always enjoy you and your enthusiasm, this was no exception. It was inspiring.
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