English saw manufacturers Roberts & Lee have been manufacturing saws since 1908 and, as their logo proclaims, they are "Still on the Cutting Edge".  This small company specialises in hand-making saws for discerning professional and enthusiast woodworkers alike.  There are no hardpoint saws here: no plastic handles; no quick-rivets and no short cuts to excellence.  There's pride, experience and sheer hard work put into the making of these saws so that you can feel those qualities reflected when you use one of them.  We have selected saws from two of the premier ranges produced by R & L, the Dorchester and the Parkstone and offer them in the most popularly-used configurations, as well as R & L bowsaws.  Additionally, because we understand that some users will appreciate owning a quality, re-sharpenable saw but need to seek examples at more affordable prices, we also offer the Majestic and Hi-Way ranges to meet these needs, and those of educational establishments, for example.

Because the premium Dorchester and Parkstone saws are hand-made to order, they will not generally ship the next day as we try to achieve with most products: expect to wait up to six weeks for some saws.   On the other hand, if the exact combination of length and tooth pitch which you require in your panel, cross-cut or rip saw is not shown, then simply select a saw of the required length and tell us your requirements on your order (under "Additional Information") and we'll do our best to supply to that specification.  If we can't, we'll advise you.

The Dorchester saws are the premier models in the R & L line-up.  They are all fitted with American Black Walnut handles which are secured to the high quality blades using solid brass screws.  The type 570 handsaw has a fully taper ground skew-back steel blade with breasted toothline and bevel sharpened teeth to ensure the finest possible cut without binding.  The 580 brass backed tenon saw has a steel blade with bevel sharpened theeth and a polished heavy brass back.  For cabinetmakers precision work the 590 brass back dovetail saw features a 26 gauge steel blade with a heavy, polished brass back: the whole is beautifully balanced and the fine teeth ensure that the most discerning craftsman will not be disappointed with this saw.  Again with a 26 gauge blade, the No. 600 brass back gents saw has equally fine teeth and the blade has a heavy, polished brass back.  The blade is pinned to the ferrule of the handle for extra security.

Roberts & Lee's Parkstone saws are an excellent introduction to the world of high-quality re-sharpenable saws - or to put it another way, craftsmen's saws.  Sharing many characteristics with their premier cousins in the Dorchester range, above, the characteristic features of the Parkstone range include the distinctive two-tone beech handles which are secured to the handles with solid brass screws.  The 555 handsaws have taper ground skew-back steel blades with bevel-sharpened teeth to ensure consistent and reliable cutting without binding in the kerf.  The 558 tenon saws also feature bevel sharpened teeth and heavy gauge polished brass backs, as do the 252 dovetail saws.

The Parkstone range also includes some rather special saws not found in other ranges.  Firstly there is the 558S superfine tenon saw which leaves a cut surface as fine as that from a dovetail saw, yet is of tenon saw dimensions, permitting access to cuts that would be simply unreachable using a dovetail saw.  Recognising that we don't all always get to work in fine-grained hardwoods and that cutting with the grain to form a tenon can mean a clogged blade, R & L have developed their 558R rip tooth tenon saw for just such situations.  Similar thinking has also led to the development of the 252R rip tooth dovetail saw, ideally suited to cutting dovetails with the grain in softer timbers.

Pictured with the Parkstone range, above, is the model 33A bowsaw, otherwise descriptively known as a turning saw.  This traditional saw uses a windlass to tension the blade and has handles which rotate in their sockets, allowing the blade to be turned to cut in any direction.  Ideal for cutting curved profiles and intricate shapes, this saw may be thought of as the bandsaw for those who prefer a quiet life!  The saw is made in polished beech in a choice of lengths and replacement blades to suit the various lengths of saw are readily available.

Roberts & Lee's Majestic 248 range saws are an economical introduction to the world of good-quality re-sharpenable saws.  Especially suitable for education, contractors and the discerning DIY enthusiast, these saws are supplied with polished two-colour beech handles secured by screws to the high grade steel blades.  These saws are available as panel saws, cross-cut saws or rip saws.  The Majestic 250 tenon saws feature brass backs fitted to high grade steel blades with two-colour beech handles.

The Hi-Way 100 range features polished beech handles rivetted to high grade steel blades.  As a tool for educational and DIY use, these saws are subject to the same stringent quality controls and personal attention as the premium R & L saws, ensuring that they are tools which one can be proud to own.  The hand saws are available as panel, cross-cut and rip types whilst the tenon saws have steel backs in the interest of economy.

Finally we offer the 25B range lower cost Gents saws, which maintain the feel of a quality saw with their brass backs, beech handles, fine steel blades and 16 ppi toothing.

©1997-2006 P. Hemsley.  The information on this website is the copyright property of Peter Hemsley.  Coeur du Bois and The ToolPost are trading styles of Peter Hemsley.  Whilst reasonable efforts are made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, no liability can be accepted for errors in this information nor for contingencies arising therefrom.  If you are inexperienced in any aspect of woodworking, we would strongly counsel that you take a course of formal instruction before commencing to practice