Saw blades are not as straight as one may think. It is actually necessary for the blade of a saw to be set at a slight angle. A small curve in the saw’s teeth prevents the blade from getting stuck in the log it is cutting into. If a saw blade was straight it would only cut enough space for itself, not leaving enough room to remove the tool.
An established saw manufacturer, the Symonds Manufacturing Company, developed many saws and saw working implements. This saw set was one of many designed by the company to adjust the angle of the blade and improve its function. The clamp portion of the hammer seen here was used to wrench the saw teeth, giving the blade a set. The hammer head was used for swage. Swage is the squashing of the saw teeth to broaden the width of the cut.