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You'll probably find the 10- to 16-ounce curved claw hammer the most
useful, the curving claws being well adapted to extracting bent nails.
(It is also known as a nailing hammer.) If you need a second hammer,
consider the straight-claw type, also called a ripping hammer, which is
particularly useful for tearing apart woodwork and boards fastened
together. Don't buy a heavy hammer. It will tire you and you'll regret it.
On the other hand, one which is too light will use more of your energy
in performing the tasks for which you use it, and it, too, will be fatiguing. A good medium-weight hammer is the best answer.
When it comes to saws, the choice may be bewildering if you don't
know which saw is used for what operation. Each saw is designed to do
a specific job. The crosscut saw (probably the first to buy) is made to
cut across the grain of wood for small projects and where fine work is
desired. The teeth of a good crosscut saw-and it is by the teeth you
will distinguish a crosscut from a ripsaw-are bent alternately outward
from the blade, each sharpened on one side only, but with alternates
sharpened on opposite sides. Crosscut teeth are usually smaller than
those of a ripsaw and are pointed, while those of a ripsaw are squared
on the ends like tiny chisels. Crosscut teeth are usually set at a wider
angle (i.e., extending outward more from the body of the blade).
Probably the most useful size of crosscut saw will be in the 24- to
28-inch range, having 8 to 10 teeth to the inch.
A good saw is ground to taper toward the back from the widest
thickness in which the teeth are cut, making it easier to saw as the
blade pushes back and forth in the saw cut. The stainless steel saws
are said to be tougher, stay sharp longer than those of ordinary steel,
and because they are non-rusting are easier to maintain. Laminated
wooden handles are preferred to regular wooden handles because of
their additional strength. The new plastic handles seem to be satisfactory. Handles should be firmly riveted or fastened to the saw blade.
Try out the handle of the saw you have selected to make sure that
it is comfortable in your hand. If the grasp is too small for the hand,
you will find that you'll acquire blisters very quickly. A good saw with a
comfortable handle will speed your work and be worth whatever you
pay for it.
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