So what’s going to happen when the world has a shortage of disposable hard point saws from China? Will many woodworkers in the UK start stockpiling and compound the effect of the shortages like people are doing with toilet rolls and hand sanitiser? I wonder if anyone then using these disposable throw away saws will inevitably wish they didn’t have to rely on them and had spent some time perfecting their saw sharpening skills!
Having recently read that certain importers are having difficulty with sourcing general Chinese stocks and the problems with supply chains, would this affect certain disposable general trade tools that are replaced on a regular basis?
I’ve always advocated the need for saw sharpening skills for woodworking as it has so many hidden benefits but had never considered one of these benefits being supply. There could be a few professional guys out there who dismiss this old aspect of the woodworking trade who may yet suffer the embarrassment of not owning a sharp saw or at least have the hassle of finding them. Some people will never be converted with giving their hard point saws up or accept the Eco argument against buying them but a disposable tool shortage would remind them how dependent they are on high carbon Chinese production and how their dependency on them contributes towards this.
We all know the world has to change, woodworkers are important and can lead by example. A simple change in attitude and a determination to sharpen ones own saws may not sound much but it highlights the importance of skills and sets a standard to aspire to be a trade with real Eco Credentials.
Just a thought!