In this restoration project, I revive a cherished pruning saw that belonged to my father-in-law, carrying memories from the 1960s. The saw was heavily worn, with a rusty blade and a damaged handle.

Most old-time logging photos show two loggers standing on either end of some massive redwood, ponderosa pine, or Douglas-fir with a huge notch they’ve sawn into the base of the tree, before continuing ...