Last Monday, Sylvia and I drove up to Camberley, to take a couple of saws to Slava Rode. He had agreed to fit some new handles.

Sylvia had given me a pair of Pax saws for Christmas. Pax saws are the flagship brand produced in Sheffield by Thomas Flinn & Co (www.flinn-garlick-saws.co.uk). They are very fine saws, but I found the handles a little large. Perhaps I am spoilt, having handled so many of Slava’s restored and new saws. Anyhow, thanks to Slava, I have discovered that a well-fitting saw handle makes all the difference to how a saw handles.

Slava took measurements of my right hand, and we tried out some of his saw handles. I chose the wood, and Slava promised: “I’ll have them ready for you by February.”

True to his word, we returned yesterday to collect the re-handled saws. The handles have a traditional open grip with horns that lie snugly against my hand, and they are shaped specially for right-handed use.

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They fit my hand perfectly. It is surprising how saws which had felt heavy, awkward, and unstable, now feel lighter, balanced and ready for work.

I left Slava with a bottle of wine this time (!), and my thanks for a fantastic job. We went and celebrated with lunch at The Brickmakers in Windlesham – it came highly recommended by Slava and his wife. The food was super, so if you’re in that area, near Sunningdale – for the golf, or a visit to HRH Prince Andrew and Fergie perhaps – The Brickmakers comes highly recommended by us too!