Custom Skelton Dovetail Saw Arrives

Skelton Saws, a North Yorkshire-based company, has carved a niche by reviving 18th-century saw-making techniques. Shane and Jacqueline Skelton have brought a critically endangered craft in the UK back to life, producing tools that are as much a nod to history as they are functional pieces of equipment. Their dedication to traditional methods means that each saw is entirely handmade. The waiting list for a custom Skelton saw can be as long as a year, a testament to their demand among fine woodworkers. Prices for their bespoke saws reflect the craftsmanship involved, with some models like the Chippendale 11 3/8” Dovetail Saw costing £845. Customers can select the type of wood for the handle and the metal for the saw back, ensuring a truly personalized tool. Honduras rosewood, the material chosen for the handle of David Barron's saw, is prized not only for its rich color but also for its exceptional durability and acoustic properties. This dense tropical hardwood is difficult to work with but polishes to a high natural luster due to its fine texture and high oil content. Its use is now regulated under CITES, making it a choice for high-end, specialty items. David Barron is a highly respected furniture maker known for his precision and for creating his own range of well-regarded woodworking tools, including magnetic dovetail guides. His collaboration with Skelton Saws resulted in "The Barron" Dual Kerf Starting Saw, a specialized tool designed to create a perfect starting kerf for dovetail cuts. The "dual-blade design" refers to the saw having two parallel spring steel blades. This innovative feature is designed to cut a kerf that is the exact thickness of the woodworker's primary dovetail saw blade. This ensures a precise, snug fit for the main saw, eliminating any potential for error at the beginning of the crucial dovetail cut.