Thread: Help with Saw ID

I'm not a saw collector, I just have a set of users, but it seems like a pretty late era saw and not one of the collectables. But it looks like the evade is in good nick and when you clean and sharpen it it'll be a good user. I'm not a fan for the slab sided handles but a little bit of work with a chisel, rasp and some sand paper can make them look more of the classic style.

Originally Posted by code4pay

I'm not a saw collector, I just have a set of users, but it seems like a pretty late era saw and not one of the collectables. But it looks like the evade is in good nick and when you clean and sharpen it it'll be a good user. I'm not a fan for the slab sided handles but a little bit of work with a chisel, rasp and some sand paper can make them look more of the classic style.

Thanks for that. I'm not a collector either, all my tools are users. I just like to know the background of my tools, and if collectable I leave them as is, if they are not collectables then I don't feel any guilt in personalising them .

Yep, you're right. That's one of the latest models they made or, rather, it's one of the latest models which bears (defiles?) the Disston name.

I suppose it's still a bargain at $2. After all, I think anything that turns one board into two is worth at least that much!

Nonetheless, it's likely a very poor quality saw in the overall realm of saws, unfortunately. Very little attention to detail, almost exclusively machine-made, cheapest materials available... you know... that kind of thing. Since you're a power tool user, think Ozito...

Sharpen it up and, by all means, tear into some wood with it. My only worry is that it may be of such poor quality that it turns you off to the use of hand saws in your regular routine. Don't let that happen! They are invaluable!

Oh, and be warned, you will spend around five (or more) times as much money on a saw file with which to sharpen it...

Best of luck,
Luke

Thanks Luke. If nothing else it will give me something to practice sharpening on without the worry of stuffing up a good saw.

Wood hacker

I think Luke is right on the money with this one. The saw will clean up and I can see that the outline style lettering "Disston" will show up. I have never troubled to research the saws made after the HK Porter era, but I think I can see the number "600" featured on the top of the saw.

I would use this saw as an experiment, both on cleaning it up and sharpening, particularly if you are not confident in that area. As Luke said, the file will cost about five times as much as the saw. Incidentally at 7ppi that is quite a coarse crosscut.

I would keep my eyes peeled for an early Disston ( possibly a D-23 or a D-8) as you can't go wrong with those saws providing they are straight and they may not cost any more than the saw you have, but even if they cost ten times as much they are still a bargain and infinitely better than the saw you have or the hardpoint saw from Bunnings.

You may find this link interesting to identify Disston saws as it is used by everybody

http://www.disstonianinstitute.com/index.html

Having said all that, welcome to the dark side.

Regards
Paul

Hi WH.

Here's some not-so-flash saws that aren't getting much attention currently at my place ...





The front one was a significant experiment for me ... it started as a blunt saw with pyramid-shaped teeth.
I posted on the forums here about turning it into a vertical-tooth ripsaw, which I did in an amateur way, but learnt a lot.

Now it is a 4ppi ripsaw for agricultural application.

Even that handle is ok to use, mostly.
And I don't feel conflicted in applying it to some plywood or other rough material.

Cheers,
Paul

I had a go at cleaning this saw up over the weekend. Came up alright. The worst of the rust came off the balde, though there are sections that aren't perfect. Unfortuantely the Disston logo didn't survive the cleaning. I was perhaps a tad too enthusiastic and as it was only printed not etched it was removed as I was cleaning up the rust. You can just still make out the number 600 if you look closely.

The tote has been sanded back to remove the horrible finish that was on it and the edges of the grip smoothed over somewhat to make it more comfortable in the hand.

I also had my first go at sharpening a saw. I removed a lot of the set on the teeth as it seemed over done. I reshaped the teeth a little as well to a progressive rip pattern. Can't say my rake angle was perfectly consistant but it cuts a straight line and leaves a reasonable finish that only took a little work with a plane to have it perfectly smooth.

Before and after shots below.

You've done well. The clean blade suits that handle even better, I think.

Paul Sellers going another step beyond ... ...