Thread: Undocumented Disston Saw

interesting little saw

how long

(and no I've never seen one before)

OAL is 15-7/8", toothline is 11-15/16" and the depth of cut is 1-3/16" at the toe.

Rob

I saw one on Ebay, but I think it was that one. I only casually glanced at it. As you mentioned it looks like a joiners saw with a back, which I think makes more sense particularly with a thin plate. Could the back be a retro fit?

The market for the Joiners saw was probably small, but those that had a use would undoubtedly be capable of the modification to back saw. Looking at the etch it does seem a little high on the plate. If originally it did not have a back, the etch would have been better positioned as in more central.

Regards
Paul

My understanding was that Joiners saws had much thicker blades.
Might have been a custom order.

I think that the saw is factory as the fitting is as good as any other Disston I've examined in detail. The etch is unique, as is the brass plated back, taper ground 0.015" plate and the overall configuration. The handle is clearly fitted for right handed use. Both bottom horns are relieved to accommodate a nearly three fingered grip, looks like a user-modification.

Disston mystery joiners saw handle detail.jpg

I found it in the 1918 catalog available here: Disston Saw Catalogs and Literature | The Alaska Woodworker

On the 21st page of the 69 page scan is this:

Disston No. 70 listing from 1918 catalog.JPG

The listing reads:

"Apple Handle, Open Grip, Polished Edges, Extra Quality Crucible Steel Blade, 1 1/2 inches wide under back, 26 gauge, 17 points, Steel Back Brass Plated."

The available lengths run from 6 to 12 inches in two inch steps.

This saw is the only one of this type that I've seen with the 12 inch blade and is also unique in that much of the brass plating remains on the back. The etch on my saw is identical in text to that in the illustration though drawn larger. Surprisingly, given the aggressive marketing practiced by Disston, no mention is made of the taper ground blade.

Rob

Well done. It looks like you have a rare one there and always good to make a positive identification. In the light of this new information I unequivocally retract my former heretical statements of modification .

Regards
Paul

Nice find Rob. Good to get a positive ID!
So how does it cut?

Seems like an odd, possibly experimental, pitch to length ratio. I would think that a 17pt profile would be more suited for a 6-8" dovetail saw. Something for fine work in thin stock. To find it on a 12" saw seems really odd... Why not shorten the stroke and increase the pitch and do the same amount of work in a shorter stroke? This seems like you would end up taking longer strokes and removing less material. I suppose to each their own, but this is a bit "outside the box" in my mind.

As you say, Luke, 'to each his own'. Preferences for blade length really vary, and I guess 'twas ever thus, well-illustrated by Disston & the other saw manufacturers offering each example of their saws in such a wide range of lengths.

With dovetail saws, or any saw used for intricate work, I think it's not entirely about stroke length and tooth pitch - it has to feel right in your hand, too. I started my 'serious' woodworking career with an 8 inch, 15tpi dovetail saw. It just happened that that was what I could get (& afford) at the time. I became so used to it that when I first made my own saws, I just copied that saw for dovetailers. On about the third iteration, the piece of plate I had was an inch longer, and narrower than what I'd used previously, & I thought why chop off an inch of perfectly good metal? So I left it like that, & that saw has become my all-time favourite dovetailing saw - somehow that bit of extra length & weight distribution gives it a perfect balance, in my hand.

Other mileages definitely vary! I made a custom saw very similar to Rob's (without tapered plate) for a bloke who was a very experienced woodworker. I was surprised he wanted it so long, but he said he just likes to saw dovetails in about 2 or three firm strokes! These days, I have few prescriptions about what's 'right' with just about any tool. I have firmer ideas about what suits me, but am not at all surprised when someone tells me they prefer the complete opposite.....

Cheers,

Indeed, Badaxe now sell a very similar saw: Bad Axe Tool Works - 12-inch Dovetail Saw, aka 'The Stiletto'

Yes, it's a weird saw. A great collectible but it certainly doesn't fit my hand. I know that the average stature has increased since this saw was made but the handle is uncomfortably tiny.

Disston No 70 saw handle in my hand.jpg

Rob; is this what your referring too.





Stewie;

This: Online Reference of Disston Saws -- Dovetail Saws implies that the No.70 was made post-WWI, first appearing in the 1918 catalog with production continuing until at least 1945. The 12" bladed version was discontinued by 1932. Note that at some point the etch changed to include a large "No. 70" model designation. It appears that the handles also changed, likely with the 1928 simplification. Compare the relatively blocky handle of this saw recently sold on eBay for $99 (Vintage HENRY DISSTON & SONS 10" Dovetail Saw No.70 The Rarest of The Dovetails | eBay)

Disston No. 70 sold on eBay October 2016.JPG

to the handles on those on both Stewie's and my saws above and this saw posted by one of your (very proud of it) countrymen at PREMIUM Quality Vintage DISSTON No:70 DOVETAIL SAW 6" Old Antique Hand Tool #78 | eBay.

Disston No. 70 6 inch listed on eBay October 2016.JPG

I feel pretty confident that the saw I have was made between 1918 and 1928.

P.S. The 12" No. 70 dovetail saw was gone from the Disston catalog in 1929.