Saw blade used as an anvil?

[Jeff Skory]

I've cleaned up two saws out of the batch that I bought. A Disston D-23 (1940's) and a backsaw that only has "Warranted Superior" on the medallion but no other markings, so it's hard to tell how old it is.

I really like the handle on the backsaw. Seems like a nice hard wood and the grip portion is still very smooth.

Here's the puzzle that I thought maybe some of you could help me figure out. The blade on the backsaw has a whole lot of vertical dents in it as if someone had been hitting it with a wide screwdriver or chisel. All of the marks are vertical and the majority of them are on the left side of the blade.

Here are some pics:

[dan grant]

that ones pooched

[Wayne Sparkman]

Those marks might have been put there long ago by some daddy's "little helper".

[Mitch Barker]

Maybe they were trying to put a smooth bend in the metal so they could use it to cut curves?

[Richard Dooling]

I am NO saw expert but that looks like the handle may be the best of that deal!

.

[Martin Peek]

Looks like marks from straightening nails. They used to be expensive.

[Jeff Skory]

Maybe they were trying to put a smooth bend in the metal so they could use it to cut curves?

the blade is actually quite straight. Quite heavy as well.

[george wilson]

Maybe some artless idiot trying to straighten the blade?

[jon hamer]

I also think they look like the grooves from straightening nails. But it's hard for me to imagine a time when nails were expensive - and saws were not...

[george wilson]

I doubt that nails would make those sharp dents. Sawblades aren't that soft. I still think a cross pein hammer might have been used to straighten it. I also think the blade would have been resting on a hard surface like an anvil to have had those marks put in it like that. Wonder what the OTHER side of the blade looks like? That would give the answer.

[Jeff Skory]

Wonder what the OTHER side of the blade looks like? That would give the answer.

I'll take a picture of it tonight and post it.

[Joel Goodman]

Those marks might have been put there long ago by some daddy's "little helper".

This sounds like something I might have done as a tot!

[phil harold]

the blade is actually quite straight.

well thats all that matters
if it is straight and the dings dont interfere with sawing, who cares

[Steve Clardy]

Possibly it was bent at one time, and hammered back straight like they do with the big sawmill circular saws.

[george wilson]

That's what I am suggesting,Steve. However,it is NOT necessary to hammer on a backsaw blade unless it is kinked. You can easily straighten it by torquing the back. I have gotten bargains on badly bent back saws because the flea dealers thought they were ruined.