Hello all, This saw must have been re-handled at some stage, or at the very least a medallion put into the existing handle. Otherwise it is a real oddball. The Warranted Superior medallion puts it into the 1860's, but the company is only recorded (according to HSMOB) as being in operation in 1828/29. This I assume is from Pigots 1829/29 p. 1094 at Wheat Croft. In Gell 1825 there is a Hoole and Pinder at White Croft (near enough) and in Whites 1833 there are a number of Ibbotsons and Hooles but not together in the saw making business. It is also has cast.steel and which puts it in this earlier time-frame. It is quite a large saw, having a 16 inch blade. It isn't in a wonderful condition but I have wanted a Hoole for a long time because I knew a person at work with that surname who also came from Sheffield. Fred
Odd is good. Hi Fred, I think your right about the rehandling. That lamb's tongue looks a little clunkyl. What wood do you suppose it is. Still good fun though. How does it cut? Al
Hi Al, I am not that good on woods, but the handle has medullary rays and so I assume that it is beech, as I have been told that oak was not popular for handles. Neither am I that good on assessing the cutting characteristics of saws, my joinery skills extending to not much beyond butt jointing 4x2's using modern hardpoints. But I was pleasantly surprised with this. Even in it's current state it cuts differently but acceptably well. Its nice to have the back supply the downward pressure as opposed to me. Fred