Advice on crosscut and rip panel saws

[wintersedge]

I would like some advice on the best route to buying a rip and crosscut panel saw.

A. Is it worth just saving up for a LN?

B. if I buy a used Disston off EBay what do I need to look for and look out for?

C. Besides Mark@BadAxe is there anyone else you recommend buying a good used and sharpened saw from? Mark currently has no panel saws listed.

Thanks

[Tom King]

Don't buy one unless it's taper ground. Taper ground means that it's thinner at the top than down where the teeth are, so you get good steerage without having to have a wide set (more effort cutting a wider kerf).

Sandvik 270 through 288 are the best handsaws ever made. They occasionally turn up on ebay in new condition. They are regular length handsaws, so longer than a panel saw, but occasionally a 20" Sandvik will show up. I've found them still in the sleeve for 35 to 50 dollars, but sometimes a buyer will pay a couple of hundred dollars for one.

The handles are kind of Chintzy, made from a good plywood, with a dragon embossed on it, so if you are buying one to look at, it might not be the saw for you. The steel will get sharper, and stay sharp longer, than any other saw ever made though. Even with the factory, machine filed edge, they cut amazingly fast with good control. Once you learn to sharpen, or have them sharpened by a good filer, they are unbelievable compared to anything else.

Here is a decent looking 10 pt., which is a good crosscut pitch to have it it's the only crosscut saw you'll have: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-26-034-Sandvik-Norseman-No-270-Crosscut-Hand-Saw-/310805299016?&_trksid=p2056016.l4276

Here's a newer looking 8 pt. with sleeve: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Used-Sandvik-288-Hand-Saw-with-Cardboard-Sheath-26-Inch-7T-8P-/221318012334?&_trksid=p2056016.l4276

Here's a decent looking D8 panel that looks like it's going cheap: http://www.ebay.com/itm/DISSTON-OLD-HAND-SAW-D8-20-BLADE-10-PPI-1896-1917-MADE-FOR-STANLEY-SAW-WORKS-/200991005903?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2ecbff5ccf

[sdesocio]

I went the ebay route and I picked up some saw files and a saw set on ebay as well - so far so good.