One capital and one slender saw are really all that are required for ordinary operations on bone and will also answer for amputations.  At the operating table, knives are often present in duplicate; but as a rule the surgeon had but one saw and as such being free of corrosion and its excellent condition were imperatives.  Accordingly, the edge of each tooth must be keen and each must be “set” sufficiently so that it will not bind when passing through a large bone. Once the periosteum is removed and soft tissues retracted the blade is brought against the bone and the first stroke made quickly so as to produce a groove of sufficient depth to serve as a guide for subsequent strokes.  In cases where more than one bone is to be severed , both should be cut at the same time.  Care must be take to assure that the limb remain weight neutral to avoid binding and splintering that might otherwise occur.