New saw. What can you tell me about it?

[David Wadstrup]

I got lucky on Ebay last week. I won a 28" 5.5ppi No. 12 Disston rip saw. I did pay a premium price for it as it looked to be in really good condition. What I wasn't expecting, however, was the what I think to be mahogany handle. I took a few photos, with the hope that someone can confirm this. I also wanted to ask if anyone knows anything about the use of special timbers like this in Disston saws. Did they just mix them in as occasional replacements of the traditional apple wood handles, or were these specially made for some purpose?

Also, I was wondering if anyone has come across a saw with the tooth line preserved in the green plasticky wax you see in the photo. I assume this was a protective coating put on after manufacture by the owner or sharpener. Am I wrong? The saw does, however, appear to be little, if at all, used. So maybe Disston did put it on? The teeth underneath are as clean and sharp and perfect as the day they were filed!

I'd appreciate any knowledge you might have on this.

Thanks!

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[Winton Applegate]

I can tell you three things about this saw:

1. I like it (a lot).
2. I want it.
3. I am jealous

[Jeff Heath]

All you need to know right here

http://www.disstonianinstitute.com/12page.html

Very nice saw. Doubt the wax coating is original...probably done by the last sharpener.

Jeff

[David Wadstrup]

Thanks for the link, Jeff. There is only mention of a mahogany handle in reference to the No. 12 rip ship saw, though. Which is funny, as I have a cross cut No. 12 ship saw, but without the mahogany handle. I'm guessing Disston would just occasionally build saws with special timbers.

[Daryl Weir]

Hey David,

First off, I had that saw on my watch list just to see if someone would pick it up as it had a pretty high "Buy it Now" price along with the fairly high starting price. I know what you ended up paying for it but in my eyes was still a very good buy. I could tell it had the mahogany handle for the get go, which is why I was watching it. Anyway, good for you in picking it up.

The saw on the disstonianinstitute website was mine before I sold it. I've often regretted doing that as it was a ship point rip that I had repaired a chip on the top horn.

I've attached a couple of pictures of 3 No.12's that I've shown before on another site, all of which have mahogany handles. These could have been special order saws but I've often wondered if they were offered in either 1920 or 1925 on Disston's 80th or 85th anniversary. The medallions have always been the Disston/Phila type which was used during this period. I have a few more in the "waiting" to refurbish mode as "I kind of collect these" .

Take care,
Daryl

P.S. I think your saws teeth were dipped after a more recent sharpening. I was a machinist quite a few years back, end mills and the like were dipped in this after sharpening to protect the edges and the people handling them until they were used.

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[David Wadstrup]

Thanks for sharing, Daryl. Those are 3 beautiful saws. I can definitely see the desire in collecting these. As I mentioned, I have another with a mahogany handle that I bought from the classified section here last summer. It had been fully refurbished, and has a very nicely done repair of the top horn. This most recent one, however, I like all the more for the surprise handle material(even though I had paid over twice as much for it.) I now only wish my ship point had the mahogany handle.

Best,

David

[Tom M King]

The tooth dip was put on by a professional sharpening shop.

[Mike Allen1010]

Daryl is the legitimate pros pro when it comes to handsaws. A rarity when it comes to the hand tool world where so many things are subjective.

I have several of Daryl's saws and despite the fact I've restored and tuned literally hundreds of saws myself, Daryl's saws are IMHO are worth every penny. He is absolutely a master of his craft, in both his academic knowledge of the subject mater and particularly his technical ability to produce precision_tuned saws that are functionally state of the art.

Some may suggest that saw tuning/sharpening is binary_ it's either sharp or it's not. As a hand tool only guy for the last 15 years who uses hand saws every day, I couldn't disagree more-a precision tuned hand saw where all the elements; fleam, rake, gullet angles and set are exactly right based on the taper/temper of an individual plate is tough to do-an acquired, fungible skill where the highest level of execution makes a tangible difference in use.

I'm not an idealog , and I wouldn't say this about other hand tools, if you have an opportunity to use one of Daryl's saws, you won't regret it. No afilation, just a very satisfied customer.

Cheers, Mike

[Winton Applegate]

Daryl,
It is a good evening to be looking at the Sawmill Creek !
Thanks for putting those up.

[Dave Anderson NH]

David, there is only one thing you need to know about a Disston #12. It is a great saw, period.

[Adam Cruea]

Hey David,

First off, I had that saw on my watch list just to see if someone would pick it up as it had a pretty high "Buy it Now" price along with the fairly high starting price. I know what you ended up paying for it but in my eyes was still a very good buy. I could tell it had the mahogany handle for the get go, which is why I was watching it. Anyway, good for you in picking it up.

The saw on the disstonianinstitute website was mine before I sold it. I've often regretted doing that as it was a ship point rip that I had repaired a chip on the top horn.

I've attached a couple of pictures of 3 No.12's that I've shown before on another site, all of which have mahogany handles. These could have been special order saws but I've often wondered if they were offered in either 1920 or 1925 on Disston's 80th or 85th anniversary. The medallions have always been the Disston/Phila type which was used during this period. I have a few more in the "waiting" to refurbish mode as "I kind of collect these" .

Take care,
Daryl

P.S. I think your saws teeth were dipped after a more recent sharpening. I was a machinist quite a few years back, end mills and the like were dipped in this after sharpening to protect the edges and the people handling them until they were used.

DSC07572.jpg DSC07573.jpg DSC07574.jpg

You really should have labeled this "tool porn".

Those are some beautiful saws.

[Daryl Weir]

Hey Mike,

I'm not sure I can live up to all that but I appreciate the compliment. Too me, it's mainly getting all the geometry & set as consistant as possible and that's what takes the time.

Take care,
Daryl

[Daryl Weir]

Winton & Adam,

I don't frequent here as much as I should but I was happy to share the pictures of my mahogany handled No.12's. The No.12 still remains my favorite saw, after all the saws I've refurbished over the years and more than likely always will be. I can't explain my rationale, because the blades while finished nicely do not have the best finish (some of the Atkins REX, 400's and Simonds saws have better grind & polish to them) but most of the 12's have had a good tensioned ring to them and just seem to cut a little nicer than the other brands. I've always been found of the double loop handle design. Many other's copied this same design over the years, (E.C. Atkins No.64, Geo. H. Bishop No.12 & No.99, Simonds No.5 & 61, Woodrough & McParlin No.12 or Panther Head, Richardson Bros. No.12, C.E Jennings No.12 1/2 & J 112 and some I'm probably forgetting) so that has to say something about the Disston No.12.

Take care,
Daryl