Pit Saws

Pit Saws

Pit saws are a type of saw that were used extensively in the past for sawing timber. They consist of a long, straight saw blade that is operated by two people, one standing on top of the log and the other in a pit underneath it. The saw blade is pulled back and forth through the log, cutting it into planks. Pit saws were used before the invention of modern saws and were commonly used in Europe and North America until the mid-19th century. The pit saw was an important tool in the development of the timber industry. It allowed for the efficient cutting of large logs into planks, which could then be used for construction, furniture-making, and other purposes. The use of pit saws was also an important factor in the growth of shipbuilding, as it allowed for the production of large, straight planks that were necessary for ship construction. The operation of pit saws required a great deal of skill and coordination between the two operators. The person in the pit, known as the pitman, would lie on his back and hold the saw blade in place while the person on top, known as the topman, would pull the saw back and forth through the log. The pitman would use his legs to push the log forward as the saw cut through it. The process was physically demanding and required a great deal of strength and endurance. Although pit saws are no longer used in modern industry, they remain an important part of the history of woodworking and the timber industry. They are still used today by some traditional craftsmen who specialize in historic restoration work.

timber industry, shipbuilding, traditional craftsmen, historic restoration, saw blade

— Jeffrey Johnson

CITATION : "Jeffrey Johnson. 'Pit Saws.' Design+Encyclopedia. https://design-encyclopedia.com/define/pit-saws?E=277845 (Accessed on October 13, 2026)"