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Step 1
Choose a three-cornered or triangular file to sharpen the teeth of your saw into points. Generally speaking, a 4 ½ inch files works well for hand saws, a 3 ½ inch file works well for tenon saws, whereas double-edged file works well for most saws. An 8 inch file works well for hand saws, though it may be a little too big for tenon and panel saws.
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Step 2
Begin to sharpen the saw at the handle end. Keep the file level, but pointed toward the end of the saw. Keeping the file level helps to make the teeth of the saw not only pointed but even.
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Step 3
Hold the file so that the teeth of the saw will be sharpened, but so you do not alter the saw teeth's general shape.
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Step 4
File into each alternate gap of the saw's teeth until you almost remove all of the white flecks on the left side of saw teeth's points. The white flecks form on the saw's teeth and indicate dullness. Use the file in forward strokes. Two or three strokes of the file on each teeth should be enough.
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Step 5
Turn the saw around and repeat the process from the end of the saw to the handle. Keep the file pointed at a 60 degree angle. Doing this will help ensure that the teeth of the saw are sharpened to points.
