On Wed, 12 Aug 2009 19:08:07 +0100, The Natural Philosopher wrote:

Trouble with handsaws, is that they are crap at cutting along the
grain..

Only 'cause most hand saws these days are crosscut saws not rip saws.
Don't they teach anything in woodwork these days? B-) It's all in
the shape, set and sharpening of the
teeth.

http://chestofbooks.com/home-improve...-S-Griffith/Wo
odwork-For-Beginners/Chapter-III-Saws-Their-Uses-11-Hand-Or-Crosscut-S
aw-And.html

http://tinyurl.com/Cross-Rip-Saws

There is a fair bit of skill required but slow 'n steady letting a
*sharp* rip saw saw do the work following the method posted by
RubberBiker should produce a good result. Straight from the saw will
probably need a bit of smoothing but planing might not be easy across
the grain.

--
Cheers
Dave.