Thread: Disston Joiner Saw

I want to say that someone made a post that was basically the same as this one a while back. They noticed that same ad and essentially said "Hold on a second...".

The saw is real. Stewie posted a link to an old Disston catalog that shows it.

I think the general consensus that we reached was that, chances are, this saw was just a gimmick released by Disston and Sons in the earlier part of the 20th century. There is simply no reason for it to exist. It's likely that no one bought it and now, as a result, it's both a useless AND rare saw. He makes the claim that it's "one of five known to exist" or something like that.

I also know that ebay seller and, while he is a really nice guy, I think he is being fed some misinformation from a dealer in the U.S. whose name I won't mention. I've bought some exponentially cooler Disston saws from him for far less than that.

For the sake of having a funny-looking Disston saw I would give him 200 bucks or so, but that price is just unreasonable.

Cheers,
Luke

I don't recall that discussion and couldn't find a reference before I posted, got a link?
Found the saw on page 151 here:
http://www.blackburntools.com/articl...sston-1918.pdf
I believe Jim Bode also had one for sale a while back.

I'm not a collector, so I wouldn't give anything at all for it. For someone making cabinet type stuff, it would have limited usefulness for sure.

We've got a couple of shyster dealers here in the US who push the limit on describing what things are worth, and who all of the sudden have a serious change of heart when they're buying planes to sell. Buyer and seller beware in both cases.

Rare isn't always valuable.

I am not sure that the joiner or bench saw was a gimmick. This is from the Simonds 1919 catalogue:simonds 1919 catalogue Joiner saw.jpg

It also featured in the 1907 catalogue so in this regard it was not a one-off. However, anything Disston had, Simonds had too as they were arch rivals so they may well have had it just because Disston had it and not for any worthwhile reason.

I also can't really imagine any purpose where the joiner saw would be preferred over another style of saw.

Regards
Paul

This is the previous thread. Might shine some light:

https://www.woodworkforums.com/f152/enhancing-etch-198847

Thanks Luke, although I think you pasted a link of another thread you were reading!

I think I've seen it described as a "pattern-maker's saw" ... and no I don't have one

But the seller has questionable prices you might say on MANY saws ... which leads you to infer regarding other items.

There are #12s there for $180-$200

In the US ... try $70 ...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Disston-12-5...-/161837407389

although even there ... for some crazy reason a D-8 is more ...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Disston-D-8-...item2359add12b


Paul

Gavin

The seller in your OP has quite a few saws for sale (114 when I checked a moment ago), they have been there for a long time and they don't appear to sell. For example he has D-95s for sale. They were there for a long time before I sold my D-95s and that was more than two months ago. He is a dealer and basically is simply asking too much. I agree with Luke that if he is comparing to the market in the US, he will be way off beam.

I have some more D-95s coming up and I anticipate that I will sell them and his will still be there.

Regards
Paul

Man, I am really dropping the ball...

Ok, THIS is the correct thread.

https://www.woodworkforums.com/f152/price-range-197357

I'm dropping the ball too, I now recall reading that thread.

It's worth noting that not once in that thread is the name of the saw mentioned!
So it doesn't show up in a search for the saw. The first 2 posts are links only.
That's why it is always a good idea to provide links with commentary.
If you post images you should always credit where you get them from.

I wonder if we're witness to a 'saw bubble'?

When I look back a few years, reading this forum and learning so much from everyone, all the talk was very much about restoring planes and sharpening and chisels and shooting/chuting boards ... and backsaws ... and very little discussion to the same depth about handsaws. They were very much, I think roughly speaking, seen maybe almost in the realm of the adze. Perfectly respectable, but ... not necessarily all that relevant.

(btw, I'm gunna start getting in first for the slick and adze bubbles now ... but very very slowly)

It is possible that as time went on, with Chris Schwarz eg perhaps, and Wenzloff and Bad-Axe etc, and perhaps there appeared a few loud-mouthed saw-botherers here and there. I think the level of appreciation in general has risen a little.

There was definitely a panel saw bubble when everyone needed one for the Anarchist's Tool Chest they were building.
Maybe it has tied into the Roubo-revival as well?

Cheers,
Paul

hmm coincidence? this guy just posted a video about his last week https://youtu.be/DBLgCV85LN4 around 12:42

Nice pickup. Must be a few more out there in the hand tool wilderness.
The Disston catalog lists the plate as 18 Gauge. That is 50 thou' or 1.27 mm thick.
That is one hefty blade for a 15 ppi crosscut saw. Definitely a weird beast.