I have an old handsaw inherited from my dad. I’ve been using it since I was a kid but never really looked at it before the other day. The blade is about 12″ long and has *teeth on both edges.* The blade is rectangular, no tapers. One edge is about 14 tpi and the other is about 12 tpi. (I haven’t actually counted). It’s so dull I can’t tell if it’s a rip or a cross cut, although I’m leaning toward cross cut.
The handle attaches with a single wingnut (probably not original) and can attach to either end of the saw (1 hole punched through each end of the blade) The handle is enclosed, and has carved into one side what look like 2 crossed branches with leaves.
There’s virtually no rust although there is a lot of blotchy discoloration. I can make out the name Henry Disston & Sons, Philadelphia, etc. Patented 1909. It looks like there is the number “8” in the center of the stamp.
I can’t find anything about it on the web. None of the Disston sites shows pictures of it. It’s not a Disston D-8. I’d like to know more about, i.e. type, dates of manufacture, etc. I also have a keyhole saw with an identical handle but no stamp. I’m assuming it’s a Disston as well.
Any handsaw experts have an idea?
Replies
So much for my power of recollection. Here's a better description of the saw:
12 inch blade, 14tpi on one edge, 10tpi on the other. The end of the saw (toe?) is squared with a 1/4" hole punched in it. The handle end of the bladeis semicircular. At the top of the semicircle there is a 1/4" slot that cuts in about 1.5", the wingnut in the handle slides into the slot. On either side of the slot there are two teeth that fit into metal teeth embedded into the slot of the handle. They allow the handle to grip the blade at three different angles: straight, and tilted up or down at about 30 degrees.
The stamp on the blade reads:
Henry Disston & Sons
Keystone Saworks
Philadelphia USA
Cast Steel 80 Warrented
Pat. Nov. 2, 1909
Patent Ground
Reg U.S. Pat. Off.
http://www.disstonianinstitute.com/
The Holy Grail for anyone wanting information on Disstons. Enjoy!!
When people 100 years from now see my work, they'll know I cared. --Matt Mulka
I hate to say it, but I already looked there and didn't find it. I'll check again though. I've been known to miss things...Thanks.
Wow, I thought that sight had everything on Disston saws. Guess I need to look harder and find some of the rarer saws. There's a place called The Porch that is dedicated solely to handtools, there's probably a lot of knowledgeable people who could help you there. Pete Taran is a regular poster there. I must say the ettiquette there is much different than here, I would search the archives (going back about 10 years) before I post a question. Here's the site:
http://denali.frontier.iarc.uaf.edu:8080/~cswingle/woodworking/database/
Good luck in your search.
Thanks for the link. Based on a discussion from Aug. '96, it appears I have a Disston Cabinet Saw, No. 80.
The chase is afoot!
I wonder if John Walter has any books on saws? I know his Stanley Tools price guides are reletively accurate on their prices. Whenever I get a mystery plane, I do a search on Ebay and watch the auction end. It gives you a rough idea what the item is worth. Condition is incredibly important when valuing a tool, so don't base the value of your tool on a dog. Sounds to me like you have a rare saw. There are definetly Disston collecters out there so that probably means your saw is rather valuable. Just an idea of what I mean by scarcity being important for value. I bought a 9/16 cutter head for a Stanley 77 Dowling machine at the same time I bought a 3/8 cutter head. Both were new old stock. I sold the 3/8 for $50 and the 9/16 for $280. Rarity is great. Good luck!
Steve
What great timing. Just got the latest issue of the Fine Tool Journal. Page 49 has a 14" Disston No. 80 Cabinet Saw with a fine handle and readable logo. Expected to sell for between $40 and 70.
Matt,
Were did you get a Fine Tool Journal? Sounds interesting and I've never heard of it. Thanks,
Steve
http://www.FineToolJ.com
You can subscribe there.
Thanks!
another good spot is http://www.vintagesaws.com
rg
I checked there, too. Didn't find anything.
I think the next step is to find a library with a couple book titles that have been mentioned and/or start hitting the woodworker stores to see if anyone knows anything about it.
I'm getting the sense it might be a rare find. The one online mention of it, in a forum, happened in 1996, and apparently neither of the posters had actually seen one of these saws.
Martin J. Donnelly has some old Disston catalogs and manuals (reprinted) for sale on his site. http://www.mjdtools.com You could check there if you want further info on what you have.
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