Saw Blade Etch IDs

[pmcgee]

I took these photos trying to get a handle on a tricky etch. https://photos.google.com/album/AF1Q...-GqPXwWclH0Tv9

A phone or digital camera that will focus close-up is vital.

Most of the time, I try raking light from various angles ... sometimes outside in the day ... sometimes in a dark room.
Sometimes you can photograph it "dry", sometimes it can help to get a layer of WD40 over the area, and sometimes the best 'mix' is partly wiping off the liquid with a cloth - still leaving a layer behind.

Take a great bunch of photos over and over, just moving the 'camera' slightly ... then transfer them to the computer and see what you've got.

A diffuser for the light source might help too - I haven't tried that much.

Cheers,
Paul

[schuld66]

I did some cleanup on the non-Disston blade and can definitely see more than before. I must have taken about 100 photos to get these, and it's still difficult to get what I see into the camera. But, here's my best effort:

IMG_7434.jpg IMG_7447.jpg IMG_7449.jpg IMG_7454.jpg IMG_7462.jpg IMG_7463.jpg

I had thought the writing above the circle had read "UR" a design, and then "ALS". Now I can see that the UR is correct, but the rest seems to be a script letter "D" and then "AISY". So, the last part seems to spell out DAISY. I can also make out the word STEEL under the circle, not that it does much good.

What do you all think?

Regards,
Dave

[macg]

Hello Dave,

well the blade looks a lot cleaner now, but is still a bit patchy,
by that I mean there are nice clean areas but also dark areas
of rust remaining.

If you are able to work on the dark rusty areas a little bit more
with the aim of an overall eveness, you'll be a lot happier with
the result.

It will help to show up more of the etch as well.

Photographing saw blades as you have found is not easy.

What appears good to our eye, is a lot different to how a
cameras sensor (sees).

Your 2nd. photo has fairly even light, most of the others have
a bright reflection spoiling them.

I have had success when I've set up my tool subject out side
on a stand that allows you to freely move about to gain various
angles, as Paul has suggested.

Pick an over cast day, and place your stand in the shadow of a
building this will give you natural even light,
all light bulbs generate light at different temperatures,
which will change the colour in your image.

A tripod mounted camera will give you a better result as well.

Most of the advertising etches I've seen are fairly symmetrical
and balanced in their layout, you still have some hidden areas
that need to be revealed.

Keep at it

Graham.

[pmcgee]

Nice job under trying circumstances. That's about as far as I like to take my saws, at least at this point in time.
I forgot to say that 2000 grit auto-paper plus WD40 can do some careful cleaning at a delicate rate.

The pieces are coming together, but it also raises more questions about the handle.

That 'cheerful folksy' sort of etch seems to have come up in a certain period ... I'm not sure it coincides with the EM Boynton period.
Although ... Ray's timeline puts acid-etching starting from about 1850 ...

Searching for "our Daisy" it seems it was a brand of the Supplee Hardware Co at least in straight razors ... and therefore possibly other items too.
These hardware companies could have a list of 'homebrands' as long as a duck.

http://straightrazorplace.com/razors...ph-blaich.html
http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedi...lade-154467583

But other companies would also use the same damn names ... here's Hibbard, Spencer, Bartlett & Co ...
http://www.strazors.com/index.php?id...de_in_germany_


1918 catalog with the HSB 'our daisy' razor ... http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/1918-AD-S...-/120892142128

Cheers,
Paul

[pmcgee]

and thanks to someone on, I think, lumberjocks ... a bit on the term 'Daisy'

http://home.earthlink.net/~knuthco1/...errysource.htm

nope ... it was here, with another "daisy" variation ... http://straightrazorplace.com/razors...own-daisy.html

[schuld66]

Thanks for all the research, Paul.

So essentially, OUR DAISY seems to point to either a hardware store, or possibly a slang term for the "the best" used in the 1880s. Unfortunately, the etch doesn't point towards the manufacturer. That leaves the handle, which seems to be original, and the WS medallion, which shows the DEC. 31, 1867 patent date, not the Glover date.

Is it possible Boynton would make a saw without his etch and medallion?

Regards,
Dave

[pmcgee]

Time to join up on backsaw.net and ask the guys who *really* know stuff about saws, I think.

http://www.backsaw.net/forum/index.p...-discussion.5/

[schuld66]

I applied to join a couple of days ago, but haven't heard back yet.

Regards,
Dave

[TobyC]

Send Ray a PM.

[TobyC]

Dave doesn't like me.

[schuld66]

Dave doesn't like me.

Not true, Toby. I certainly do appreciate the advice to message Ray at Backsaw. I did, and now I'm in.

Thanks.

[TobyC]

Just foolin' around buddy. Hope someone can ID that thing for you!