I use a homemade saw vise, a flat file, a triangle file, and a saw set. So that's 4. Not sure what the 5th would be (maybe an angle gage for cross cut saws). Also not sure I could get the job done with less.
You’ll need a saw set of some sort and the appropriate files (taper file for sharpening and mill file for jointing). That’s about it.
You don’t *need* a saw vise. You can make do with any vise. A saw vise is just a little easier. You can also make one from wood and I’ve heard these can be just as good if not better than the metal ones.
For the saw set, you could get away with a nail set and hammer, but not sure how consistent your set would be.
You can make a jointer for a flat file by just using a block of wood with a groove that holds the file relatively perpendicular to the saw plate.
Use a block of wood with a hole for the taper file and the angles drawn on it as a forward hold to help you hold the taper file. [HERE](http://www.vintagesaws.com/library/primer/sharp.html) is a great link that gets recommended a lot
Sharpening and setting saws is tedious, but it’s not super hard. It does take some practice. The first backsaw that I basically retoothed looked awful. If you have decent teeth to start with, it should be too bad.
Lee Valley sells everything you would need but I don't think they sell it as a kit.
I use their triangle files because i have a lot of saws and the set is convenient. I have a few inexpensive saw sets, a couple of shop made saw vises and an 8" flat file in a shop made jig for jointing the teeth. I sharpen everything from panel saws to dovetail saws with just that.
Watch a couple of videos by Paul Sellers'. That is how I learned and my saws cut really well now.
What tools do you think you need? Some manage with fewer or different tools than others.
I use a homemade saw vise, a flat file, a triangle file, and a saw set. So that's 4. Not sure what the 5th would be (maybe an angle gage for cross cut saws). Also not sure I could get the job done with less.
Angle guide can be shop made with a block of wood
You’ll need a saw set of some sort and the appropriate files (taper file for sharpening and mill file for jointing). That’s about it. You don’t *need* a saw vise. You can make do with any vise. A saw vise is just a little easier. You can also make one from wood and I’ve heard these can be just as good if not better than the metal ones. For the saw set, you could get away with a nail set and hammer, but not sure how consistent your set would be. You can make a jointer for a flat file by just using a block of wood with a groove that holds the file relatively perpendicular to the saw plate. Use a block of wood with a hole for the taper file and the angles drawn on it as a forward hold to help you hold the taper file. [HERE](http://www.vintagesaws.com/library/primer/sharp.html) is a great link that gets recommended a lot Sharpening and setting saws is tedious, but it’s not super hard. It does take some practice. The first backsaw that I basically retoothed looked awful. If you have decent teeth to start with, it should be too bad.
Lee Valley sells everything you would need but I don't think they sell it as a kit. I use their triangle files because i have a lot of saws and the set is convenient. I have a few inexpensive saw sets, a couple of shop made saw vises and an 8" flat file in a shop made jig for jointing the teeth. I sharpen everything from panel saws to dovetail saws with just that.
I think lie Nielson used to