Who ya callin’ yeller?

This is one of my latest saws, a ten inch dovetail saw. I made it for myself, so it is a left-handed model (bolt heads and stamp on what is usually considered the back side of the saw).

The handle is made of yellowwood (Cladrastis kentukea), a tree native to the southeastern United States. I came across it at a local sawmill, and couldn’t resist its distinctive (and downright unusual, if not jarring) color and attractive grain. Pennsylvania is a bit outside of its normal range, but I am happy to have found it. The color is not for everyone, but its oddity appeals to me. I am told the wood is colorfast, so time will tell if I tire of it.

The wood is fairly dense, but worked well with hand tools and took a great finish (there are several coats of Tru-Oil on this handle). From a materials property standpoint, it is a wonderful wood for a handle. The color? I leave the passing of judgment on that matter to you.

Ten inch dovetail saw with yellowwood handle. Left-handed model.

Ten inch dovetail saw with yellowwood handle. Left-handed model.

Yellowwood handle with inlaid bolts.

Yellowwood handle with inlaid bolts.

Yellowwood handle, show side.

Yellowwood handle, show side.

Detail of yellowwood handle.

Detail of yellowwood handle.

Detail of yellowwood handle.

Detail of yellowwood handle.

Detail of yellowwood handle.

Detail of yellowwood handle.

Detail of yellowwood handle showing bark inclusions and colored epoxy fill.

Detail of yellowwood handle showing bark inclusions and colored epoxy fill.

Detail of yellowwood handle.

Detail of yellowwood handle.

Detail of yellowwood handle showing bark inclusions and colored epoxy fill.

Detail of yellowwood handle showing bark inclusions and colored epoxy fill.

Closeup of Blackburn stamp on back.

Closeup of Blackburn stamp on back.

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6 Responses to Who ya callin’ yeller?

  1. The sapwood is a little jarring, in a banana-pudding sort of way (sorry, my son was asking for that this morning, so I guess I have it on the mind).

    But I like the overall colour.

    Then again, my favourite saw is an old Tyzack dovetail saw with a QS English Beech tote and it is very light and yellow-ish in appearance. The saw I made in the Matt Cianci class I took also had a QS English Beech tote (wood courtesy of Phil Edwards), so… I have two saws with yellow totes I see every time I’m in the shop. Maybe that’s why it doesn’t seem unusual.

    • Isaac says:

      Well, of all the yellow things I associate with kids, banana pudding is about the nicest.

      Tyzack made some wonderful saws. I haven’t run across many English saws, but I’m a little surprised to hear that the wood isn’t dark. Did you clean it some, or did it come that way?

  2. Nikolaus says:

    I think it looks stunning! Really beautiful!

    • Isaac says:

      Thanks, Nikolaus. I’m never sure how a new wood will turn out, but I am very seldom disappointed with one. Each one seems to have something that can be appreciated.

  3. Andy says:

    I like it and it is nice to see a left-handed saw for a change. Thanks for sharing it.

    • Isaac says:

      I thought it would be nice to make one that way for myself. Most of my other saws are “seconds” that I kept for myself, so they are all right-handed. I knew I was keeping this one when I started it, so I made it the way I would order it.

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