Why Two Compass Saws?

Grandpa’s tool box had these saws in it. No maker’s mark on handles. Illegible marks on blades, which are 8 tpi. I have recently become interested in what these saws are all about.

Turns out one saw is filed rip, the other crosscut. They are intended to cut curves, as in a round table top. As the direction of the grain changes the user swaps from rip to crosscut or visa-versa. The kerf is wide to allow turning. Though they make a rather rough cut, they do the job and that’s why we have spoke shaves.