Thread: Number Stamped under Handle of D8

I asked a similar question about some markings (an X) on a No12 blade under the handle.

Suggestions offered: to match the blade to its handle, to signify the blade has undergone a process (quality check, grinding, heat, etc) and in the case of the No12, which usually have an X stamped on the blade, it may indicate Extra Refined London Spring Steel.

If No8 and No12 blade blanks were the same, I wondered if the better No8's were stamped X, polished and fitted with a No12 handle and etch? The run of the mill blades became No8's. This is not to say the No8 is a second rate saw.

I fear this response has muddied the waters. You'll have to buy a half dozen more No8's and check what is under their handles.

I have two more D8 blades (newer ones with the D-8 in the etch) so I checked those and neither has anything stamped under the handle. I also have an older D20 (20 inside the D) and there is nothing on it either...

Points Per Inch or PPI (handsaw). The measurement of tooth pitch traditionally used by saw manufacturers. The number of PPI is always one more than the number of teeth per inch. To determine the number, line up the point of one tooth with an inch mark on a ruler. Include that point and count all additional points until you reach the next inch mark on your ruler. The number of points was stamped at the heel of the saw blade on most saws. That number is not the model number of the saw.

Could the stamping of X at the heel of the saw plate represented the saw tooth rake angle was backed off to suit cross-cut work. No idea. But its a more plausible answer than saying it represented the roman numeral for 10.

( Early Disston handsaws {that includes backsaws} designated as cross cut, were not filed with side fleam. Disston and other handsaw manufacturers of that time period used the methodology of backing off the front rake angle of saw tooth, and using a slightly higher ppi count to that of a comparable rip tooth saw, in order to make the handsaw much more compatible for cross cut work). I continue to use the same methodology with my own saw sharpening work.

Stewie;

Originally Posted by planemaker

Points Per Inch or PPI (handsaw). The measurement of tooth pitch traditionally used by saw manufacturers. The number of PPI is always one more than the number of teeth per inch. To determine the number, line up the point of one tooth with an inch mark on a ruler. Include that point and count all additional points until you reach the next inch mark on your ruler. The number of points was stamped at the heel of the saw blade on most saws. That number is not the model number of the saw.

Could the stamping of X at the heel of the saw plate represented the saw tooth rake angle was backed off to suit cross-cut work. No idea. But its a more plausible answer than saying it represented the roman numeral for 10.

( Early Disston handsaws {that includes backsaws} designated as cross cut, were not filed with side fleam. Disston and other handsaw manufacturers of that time period used the methodology of backing off the front rake angle of saw tooth, and using a slightly higher ppi count to that of a comparable rip tooth saw, in order to make the handsaw much more compatible for cross cut work). I continue to use the same methodology with my own saw sharpening work.

Stewie;

When I say under the handle, I mean literally under the handle, not below it, as in the handle has to be removed to see the stamp. I don't mean a number on the heel of the blade. Sorry for any confusion.

Regards,
Dave

Originally Posted by schuld66

When I say under the handle, I mean literally under the handle, not below it, as in the handle has to be removed to see the stamp. I don't mean a number on the heel of the blade. Sorry for any confusion.

Regards,
Dave

Might be a pattern no. used by Disston to nominate the correct handle pattern to the saw plate pattern of holes. Kinda makes perfect sense when you consider all the different steps involved to completely building a hand saw.

Each of the Disston types would have required its own separate production run starting with the pattern press workers receiving the order to change over the saw plate punching template; specific numbers representative of the ppi and handle pattern to be fitted would have then been stamped onto each of the saw plates, alerting those further downstream of the saw making process.

Dave

I can't really help, so perhaps I shouldn't say anything, but it seems quite common to find a number, letter or symbol on that part of the plate normally covered by the handle. I think it is fair to say that as Stewie said it would be a batch code of some description. If you have ever taken a number of handles off saws at the same time you would be aware of how confusing it can become.

I think it is a crude form of identifying types particularly where several saws share the same handle type for example. Hiding it under the handle in no way detracted from the appearance.

I have taken to writing some form of identification under the hole for the medallion to save me tearing my hair out (not a really good option for me) when I put several saws back together after refinishing a batch lot.

As to exactly what your "3" means..........?

Regards
Paul

Dave

Some more thoughts on the mysterious number.

I was cleaning up (er, that should really be getting ready to clean up) some saws and there were some D8s amongst them. Several in fact. Two had numbers on them:

Disston D8 dilemma 005.jpgDisston D8 dilemma 001.jpg

Another three plates had nothing on them apart from the ppi.

What does it all mean? I now have less idea than before