Small Disston Saw

[John Grider]

The etching is very faint. I think I see a part of a 2 in the center of the etching but am not sure. I am going to have to get out a magnifying glass. Will continue to report back.

[John Grider]

You sir, are correct. The Medallion say Phila. Also, the back of the blade seems to be sharpened as a rip saw as is the front.

I am enjoying this.

John

[Daryl Weir]

Hi all,

Not trying to take anything away from the OP but I've attached some pictures of an identical saw that I have on hand. I've also sharpened one, quite a few years ago for Slav, who is a friend of mine. Some of the etch remains, enough to know that it is a Disston but enough is missing to not be able to really determine if there is a model number or not. If I want to stretch it quite a bit, there could be a No."3" at the bottom but that really is "SSSStretchinggggg" it! The handle is apple and does look somewhat like a No.9 because of the double loop/ogee on the lower handle return but it lacks the birds mouth detail at the top. The blade is 12" long and has the No.10 stamped for the ppi, just like a regular hand or panel saw. The blade is slightly taper ground from right around .030" at the tooth line to .025" at the point. It filed just like any other Disston, so the material in this one isn't junk.

So to John, I believe someone did file teeth on the back of your saw. If I was guessing this saw is probably from the late 1920's to early 1930's.

It makes me wonder if these saws could have been part of a child's tool box or kit? Yes, children were evidently able to play with sharp objects back then.....heaven forbid today that would happen!

dscn9523.jpg dscn9524.jpg dscn9525.jpg dscn9518.jpg dscn9522.jpg dscn9519.jpg

[John Grider]

Yes, that looks to be the same saw. I have not had an opportunity to look at the etching on my saw with magnification. The is a number in the etch but, alas, my eye are the same age as the rest of my body and I can't make it out with the naked eye even with my glasses.

Thanks Daryl, I will look and report.

[Mike Allen1010]

How fortunate are we here on the creek that we have the benefit of hearing from both Pete Taran and Daryl Weir! At the risk of sounding like an utter fan boy, they have together likely seen up close and worked on more saws than any 50 other saw aficionados put together.


IMHO, is one of the great things about the Creek is the community has the benefit of talking directly with experts who are literally at the top of their field. Like Pete and Daryl, there are a number of folks here on the Creek who have invested a lifetime to be among the top handful of people in the world at what they do.


I'm no expert at anything, but my experience is its incredibly rare for the leading practitioners in any field to be accessible/responsive to the general public, like they are here on SMC - e.g. there's zero chance past/current Federal Reserve Chairs Paul Volcher, Ben Barnake or Janet Yellen are responding to questions from average people.


Sorry if that sounds preachy, my only intent is to express my appreciation for the expertise and generosity of the community here on SMC.


Best, Mike

[lowell holmes]

I always read your posts Mike.