Here’s an easy way to protect the teeth of any handsaw. It consists of a shopmade guard and hook, and some elastic cord (available at craft-supply stores).

To make the guard, first rip a piece of scrap 3/8 in. thick by 3/4 in. tall. Then cut it to the length of the sawblade plus 3 in. Cut a groove, 1/8 in. wide by 1/2 in. deep, the entire length of the workpiece, centered on the 3/8-in. side. Trim 2 in. off one end. This will be the hook.

Cut a 1-in.-long plug to fit the groove and glue it into one end of the guard to make a stop. Drill a hole in the center of the guard and the hook, insert a short piece of elastic cord, and secure with a small knot.

To install, put the guard on first with the stop toward the handle. Then stretch the hook over the top of the blade.

Drawing by Jim Richey

Drawing by Jim Richey

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