Hands-on Saw Sharpening Instruction at Woodworking in America

At last year’s Woodworking in America conference in Berea, Ky., the sessions that sold out the fastest were on saws and saw sharpening. So at this year’s Hand Tools and Techniques conference (Oct. 2-4 in Valley Forge, Penn.) we’re offering tons of opportunity to learn to sharpen your saws.

For those who register for the conference, there will be walk-in saw sharpening and sawing clinics in the Hands-on Bench Room throughout the weekend so that every one who signs up for the conference has a chance to find out how it’s done , and try it for him or herself.

We’ll have saw vises set up, and files and other accoutrements available, so that anyone who wants to can bring in their saws and learn how to hand-sharpen them, from the fleam to the rake to the set. Plus, we’ll have saws on hand for practice, in case you can’t bring your own. And if you need a lesson in saw use, we’ll be happy to provide that, too.

Saw experts Mike Wenzloff and Ron Herman will be demonstrating in the Hands-on Bench Room throughout the weekend (see the schedule for specific times , though both promise to be there additional hours as well). And when Mike and Ron are busy elsewhere, we’ll have the room staffed with experienced sawyers and sharpeners who can set you straight on all things saw related.

So if you are awash in dull saws, this is your best chance to watch the masters , and give it a try for yourself.

– Megan Fitzpatrick