A Pad Saw
typically is a traditional small saw made up of a wooden handle fitted
with a long, very narrow blade. The length of the blade can be adjusted
by sliding the blade through the handle to a set length. The Pad Saw
has also been made with a metal handle and then the most common of
modern times being the plastic handle pad saw.
A Keyhole Saw
typically is a traditional small saw made up of a wooden handle fitted
with a fixed, long, very narrow blade. A keyhole saw also used to go
by the name 'Compass Saw'.
The Keyhole Saw went on to be made with a metal handle and then a
plastic handle.
Pad Saws and Keyhole Saws both perform the same function with both
names often being interchanged.
Pad Saws and Keyhole Saws are used for cutting curved lines in a piece
of timber, in particular for cutting a curved line in a more central
position away from an edge. To do this, a hole is first drilled to
allow the pad saw / keyhole saw blade clearance to go through the wood
to begin its cut.
Pad saws and Keyhole Saws have been around certainly since Victorian
times (19th Century).
Old Pad Saws were made from some of the finest timbers of the time
including being made with Rosewood handles, Ebony handles and Boxwood
handles. The majority of old pad saws which appear have Beech handles.
Old Keyhole Saws nearly always had an open handle design with the handle
made from Beech. The handle was usually attached to the blade with
two brass nuts, usually split-nuts.
I am unaware of a maker who makes traditional Keyhole Saws. There are
a few modern Keyhole Saws with plastic handles, there is also a saw
which is very similar to the Keyhole Saw called a 'Jab Saw'.
There have been a number of pad saw and keyhole saw makers in the past, with a few present makers. Below are a list of a few well known pad saw and keyhole saw manufacturers:
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