Bishop rip saws don't turn up often, and this No. 8 skew-back panel saw is one of the cleaner examples I've come across — Bishop's "Speed & Ease" winged griffin trademark on the medallion, a plate with real shine, and a handle that's held up remarkably well. This saw if from Pete Taran's collection. One of the many saws he hand picked over decades of collecting.
At a glance
| Maker | Geo. H. Bishop & Co. |
| Model | No. 8, skew back |
| Approximate era | ca. 1900–1930 |
| Length | 27 inches |
| Plate | 7" at the heel, 2-1/2" at the toe, tapered |
| Points per inch | 5-1/2, rip |
| Medallion | Winged griffin, "Speed & Ease," Cincinnati mark |
| Etch | Excellent — strong and legible |
| Sharpened by Aaron | Yes — ready to cut |
What I did to it
- Disassembled and inspected. Every part came off the saw and was checked before cleaning.
- Cleaned to preserve character. Handle and hardware were cleaned in a way that keeps the saw's age visible — no over-polishing.
- Plate cleaned. Cleaned properly while preserving the etch.
- Jointed and shaped. Toothline jointed and refiled for rip work.
- Sharpened to 5° rake, 0° fleam. Standard general-use rip geometry.
- Set. Minimum set applied — just enough to let the plate glide in the kerf without binding.
Honest condition
The plate is clean with real shine to it — no pitting, no bends. The handle is in excellent shape: no cracks, no chips, no repairs. This is about as clean as Bishops come.
About Geo. H. Bishop & Co.
Geo. H. Bishop & Co. made saws out of Cincinnati and Lawrenceburg, Indiana, marketing under the "Speed & Ease" trademark — the winged griffin device stamped on this saw's medallion. By 1914 the company was distributing through more than 20,000 hardware stores nationwide, before merging into the Ohlen-Bishop Mfg. Co. around 1919. Bishops show up far less often than Disstons today — a genuine alternative for someone who wants a period saw that isn't the usual name.
Who this saw is for
The woodworker who wants something more unique than a Disston D-8 with its thumbhole grip — this Bishop No. 8 rip saw does the same work. It's also a genuinely good one for a Bishop or Cincinnati-maker collection; clean survivors like this one don't turn up often.
Questions about this saw? Email me at aaron@benchandchisel.com — I answer them all.
— Aaron, Bench & Chisel