Crosscut Saws - Their History and Use Today

Click the Audio Link Below to Listen to our Podcast on GMC Sawyer Training Class and Cross Cut Saws

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Did you know that our modern cross cut saws were first created in Pennsylvania?

Around 1800 the concept of each tooth of a saw being the same on a saw was challenged by creating teeth that cut, alternating with teeth that raked out the cut fibers. Antique Crosscut saws have high-quality steel, which makes them durable and coveted. They deliver clean-finished cuts with their smaller teeth even today.
Prior to the steel and tooth design by these innovative companies, a tree was felled by an axe and then cut into pieces using cross cut saws of straight teeth design. Saws with a straight back and generally used by a single person are called Bucking saws. The modern 2 man cross cut saw of 1850 allowed  saws to fell and cut the trees into smaller segments.  These saws were extensively used from 1850 through early 1900's. Companies such as Disston, E.C. Atkins, Simmons and Harvey Peace were the main suppliers of Cross Cut saws to the world.
Listen to the included  podcast to learn more of the sawyer class that one of our Bennington Section members attended.

For more information on Cross Cut Saws by Warren Miller of Mother Earth News
History and Identifying Antique Cross Cut Saws by Suez Halder
United States Forest Service usage, training and safety regarding Cross Cut Saws by Wikipedia
  Interesting facts and figures describing the Wilderness Areas in the USA by The Wilderness Connect Website

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Sawyer Class Videos and Images

The Sawyer training and certification class was sponsored by GMC HQ. They needed certified persons in felling trees for summer  projects.
Class was held near Pico Mountain, east of Rutland, on private land.
Below are various images and videos taken during the 3 day class.

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Final Felling of large tree, using wedges to force final movement. Long movie but worth the watching!

Using Buck Saw to cut fallen tree

Using triangulation to determine how tall the tree is and how far it will fall