When I found hand tool woodworking, I quickly ran out and bought several hand saws at local goodwill stores for a steal. Once my family found out I was interested, they gave me even more. I now have a set of saws in various states of disrepair that I’d like to tune up. I’m not afraid of sharpening/retoothing in order to get these things back to working order. Unfortunately, I’m not really too sure what a good setup would be.

I have the following saws:
– 24” & 3 x 26” hand saws (filed for various uses)
– 12” back saw with no teeth (I jointed it the other day and then I got side tracked)
– 13” back saw with a very fine but dull tooth
– 10” dovetail saw (It is a Disston K-1 which is in great shape)
– 24” backsaw & 26” backsaw. Both are used with mitre boxes, but I only have one rather iffy mitre box (but it is a fun toy and for $3 what could go wrong)

So, as a Seller’s student, I’m tempted to file all the saws as a progressive rip. I’m always using knife walls and I like the technique better than I like having a dedicated cross cut and rip cut saw.

That being said, I’d enjoy using my two huge hacksaws to do miter work so they will probably stay cross cut.

What spread of tooth counts, and filings would you guys undertake in my situation?

Nate