Saw Set or Wrest

Date1770-1850

MediumWood, steel, and brass

DimensionsOverall length: 6 3/4" Width of blade: 1 1/4"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1992-114

DescriptionEarly-type saw set with a brass-bolstered wooden handle and a tapering rectangular blade of lenticular section, cut with six tooth slots on one side and seven on the other.
Label TextFor certain saws to cut wood properly, they need to be both sharp, and “set” properly. This wrest, cut with thirteen slots, was used to slightly bend or set each saw tooth in alternating directions.