The head is notched for easy cutting. The sharpness of the blade is rated at 100% when freshly sharpened, 60% for cross-cutting, and about 80% for rip-cutting. Old saws often have handles that are stuck and won't come off, but this one is not a problem. I will ship both the handle and the blade separately. Please refrain from price negotiations, except for bulk purchases. Also, please consult beforehand for bulk purchases.