Who's interests was Henry Disston focused on. Was it aligned with other competing American Saw Makers who were still reliant on using the now more expensive British Steel. You be the judge.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disston_Saw_WorksThe story of handsaws in the United States mirrors the technical and political development of steel. Sheffield, England, was the center of handsaw production during the 18th century and through most of the 19th century because of its fine steel and skilled craftsmen. But England's political and economic lock on steel making in the colonies held American sawmakers at bay until well after the Revolutionary War. American steel producers could not compete until import tariffs leveled the playing field in 1861.
This was the environment in which young Henry Disston (1819–1878) began his career as an American sawmaker in Philadelphia. He had immigrated from England in 1833 and started making saws and squares in 1840. In 1850, he founded the company that would become the largest sawmaker in the world: the Keystone Saw Works.
Some five years later, Disston built a furnace—perhaps the first melting plant for steel in America—and began producing the first crucible saw steel ever made in the United States. While his competitors were buying good steel from Britain, he was making his own, to his own specification, for his own needs. Disston subsequently constructed a special rolling mill exclusively for saw blades.
https://www.davistownmuseum.org/bioDisston.htmThe following companies were acquired by Disston over the years:
Johnson & Conaway 1857
P. Fraley & Co. 1859
John H. Gunniss 1861
William Cresson 1862
Bringhurst & Verree 1866
James Turner 1867
Aaron Nichols Unknown
Hill & Davenport 1868
Wm. & Harvey Rowland 1870
Waterhouse Saw Co. 1874
Richardson Bros. 1890
Harvey W. Peace Co. 1890
Pennsylvania Saw Co. 1892
Wheeler, Madden & Clemson 1893
Woodrough & McParlin 1893
Woodrough & Clemson 1893
Baldridge & Hogan Saw Co. 1901
American Saw Co. 1901
Last edited by Stewie Simpson; 02-13-2017 at 7:39 PM.
My thoughts exactly Stan. Perhaps Stewie's feelings are hurt that even Australia did not escape the tentacles of the Disston Empire. In 1914 Disston opened a branch house in Sydney. I'm not familiar with any Domestic Australian Saw Makers his equal.
Perhaps Stewie can enlighten us on that too.
Stanley; I was also the originator of this thread back in 09/06/2015. Do I have a point of view. Yes. Is it of equal value to that of others. I would hope so. Was Henry Disston's contributions to the history of Saw Making of immense value. You bet ya. From a historical perspective, do I have concerns about those smaller well respected American Saw Makers that Disston forced out of the market as a result of Henry's moves to enforce severe import tariffs on British made Steel. Absolutely. Was Henry more interested in promoted American made Steel, or was he more focused on taking a competitive advantage over that of rival saw makers. We can only surmise. What we do know from evaluating the list of rival Saw Makers that were taken over by Disston at time after those import tariffs were enforced, there was a direct impact.
regards Stewie;
The following companies were acquired by Disston over the years:
Johnson & Conaway 1857
P. Fraley & Co. 1859
John H. Gunniss 1861
William Cresson 1862
Bringhurst & Verree 1866
James Turner 1867
Aaron Nichols Unknown
Hill & Davenport 1868
Wm. & Harvey Rowland 1870
Waterhouse Saw Co. 1874
Richardson Bros. 1890
Harvey W. Peace Co. 1890
Pennsylvania Saw Co. 1892
Wheeler, Madden & Clemson 1893
Woodrough & McParlin 1893
Woodrough & Clemson 1893
Baldridge & Hogan Saw Co. 1901
American Saw Co. 1901
Last edited by Stewie Simpson; 02-13-2017 at 8:37 PM.
Stewart, I think you need to lighten up. It was a joke.
Having said that, it seems from your post you are somehow insinuating that Disston was some sort of ultra shrewd businessman that only cared about making a buck. It's true he acquired many, many companies, but to say that was due to him making his own steel is an immense oversimplification. That certainly didn't hurt, but having handled many of the saws of his competitors, I can say that it was because his saws were just that much better. Disston was the Steve Jobs of his era. He held more patents and generated more innovations than any other. The more the competition tried to compete, the more they struggled until he bought them out. In the end, he (more correctly his children) were at the top of the heap.
There is a fantastic book written called "A place to live and work" by Harry Silcox which talks about the many firsts that Disston took with respect to the community he created, Tacony, PA. It was the first factory town in which the value proposition was simple, work hard for me and I'll give you a good wage and a nice place to live. The company paid for schools, recreation, parks and even a company owned water and sewer supply. It was a model community and one that thrived. It was all due to his sense of community shouldered on the back of his keen business sense and accomplishment.
Here's a pair of shop made dovetail saws, 12" and 14" long. I prefer saw plates that are little longer and thinner than traditional. Lowell, I'm guessing you referring to larger rip saws, but thought I'd throw these in to contribute to the thread.
Stewie I'm really looking forward to seeing your next saw. .020" is my preferred thickness for fine joinery saws.
I like open handled totes as long as I can practically get away with them, which is typically in smaller crosscut and dovetail saws. For larger rip configured saws for sawing tenon cheeks IMHO thicker plates and closed totes stand up better to the greater heat/friction and greater pressure in these sawing tasks.
Best, Mike
20 (3).jpg
Mike; you need to keep in mind this thread dates back to 09/06/2015. Since then, I have completed another
12 backsaws, 10 traditional wedge abutment planes, 12 metal plane refurbishments, and 2 wooden bench plane refurbishments. And at the moment I am focused on rebuilding an early curved frame ornamental display cabinet.
Its about time I eased back on the work shop activities and enjoyed some of the Aussie Summer sunshine.
Excellent finish on your 2 backsaw handles Mike.
regards Stewie;
Last edited by Stewie Simpson; 02-15-2017 at 1:03 AM.
Stewie, in between enjoying the sunshine, I do hope you will post progress photos of the curved display case.
Phil; it wont be on this forum.
Stewie;
[QUOTE=Stewie Simpson;2659595]Mike; you need to keep in mind this thread dates back to 09/06/2015. Since then, I have completed another
12 backsaws, 10 traditional wedge abutment planes, 12 metal plane refurbishments, and 2 wooden bench plane refurbishments. And at the moment I am focused on rebuilding an early curved frame ornamental display cabinet.
regards Stewie;[/QUOTE]
Sorry Stewie I missed the date on the thread. I hope you will keep posting here on SMC. I always enjoy your comments and appreciate your contributions.
Enjoy the Aussie summer sunshine!
Mike