Antique Hand Saw Identification: A Comprehensive Guide to Dating and Valuing Vintage Saws

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Disston No. 7

• Premium model with distinctive wide blade
• Apple handle with 4 brass nuts on full-sized models
• Produced from approximately 1870s to 1928
• Later became the D-7 with slightly different features

Disston No. 8

• One of the most popular high-end models
• Apple handle with elegant curves and 4 brass nuts
• Manufactured from around 1878 to 1928
• Often has very clear etch with Disston name and Keystone logo

Disston D-8

• The standard-bearer of hand saws from 1928 to the 1950s
• Identified by the “D-8” designation (with hyphen)
• Slightly simplified handle design from earlier No. 8
• Most common antique Disston saw found today

Backsaw Models

• Characterized by a reinforced back strip for rigidity
• Commonly used for fine joinery (tenon saws, dovetail saws)
• Often higher quality with finer teeth
• Major types include miter saws, tenon saws, and dovetail saws

Restoration Considerations

When evaluating or purchasing an antique saw, consider the following regarding restoration:

1. Minimal Intervention Principle:

   • Less is often more with antique tools
   • Light cleaning is usually acceptable
   • Avoid aggressive rust removal that damages etchings

2. Value Impact of Restoration:

   • Original finishes and patina preserve value
   • Over-restoration can reduce collector value
   • Functional restoration might increase user value but decrease collector value

3. Acceptable Restoration Practices:

   • Gentle rust removal with fine steel wool (#0000) and oil
   • Careful cleaning of handles with appropriate wood cleaners
   • Sharpening is acceptable for user saws but may affect pure collector value

Step 1: Examine the Medallion

The most reliable dating method is examining the medallion for manufacturer names and design elements that changed at known points in history.

Step 2: Check Fastener Types

• Split-nut fasteners indicate pre-1870s manufacture
• Solid brass screws generally indicate post-1870s manufacture

Step 3: Analyze Handle Design

• More elaborate handles with pronounced horns typically indicate 19th century manufacture
• Simpler, more functional designs suggest 20th century production

Step 4: Look for Model Numbers

• Letter prefixes (like “D-” in Disston saws) generally indicate post-1928 manufacture
• Some numbers can place a saw in a specific production era

Step 5: Research Brand-Specific Catalogs

Many manufacturers issued catalogs that have been preserved and digitized, showing exactly what models were produced in specific years.

Antique hand saws come in various types with specific names based on their design and function:

Panel Saws: Shorter versions of full-sized hand saws, typically 20-24 inches long
Rip Saws: Designed for cutting with the wood grain, featuring fewer teeth per inch
Crosscut Saws: Designed for cutting across the wood grain with more teeth per inch
Back Saws: Featuring a reinforced back edge for precision cutting (includes tenon saws, dovetail saws, and miter saws)
Compass Saws: Narrow-bladed saws for cutting curves and circles

Well-known manufacturers include Disston, Drabble and Sanderson, Groves, Tyzack, Simonds, Atkins, and Spear & Jackson.

Dating an antique hand saw involves examining several key features:


Medallion markings: The manufacturer’s medallion on the handle often shows company name changes that can be dated (e.g., "H. Disston" vs. "H. Disston & Sons")


Fasteners: Split-nut fasteners typically indicate pre-1870s manufacture, while solid brass screws suggest later production


Handle design: Older saws (pre-1900) typically feature more pronounced, graceful horns and artistic curves compared to later, more functional designs


Model designations: For Disston saws, the "D-" prefix (like D-8) indicates post-1928 manufacture


Etch patterns: The style and content of etching on the blade changed over time and can help with dating


Consulting specialized references like those at the Disstonian Institute website can help narrow down the production period.

Antique crosscut saws can be identified by these distinctive features:


Tooth configuration: Crosscut saws have teeth filed at alternating angles to sever wood fibers when cutting across the grain


Teeth per inch (TPI): Typically 8-12 TPI, higher than rip saws (4-7 TPI)


Blade taper: Most vintage saws were straight taper, crescent taper, or flat ground


Handle attachment: One or two holes or a groove where removable handles attach on larger two-man crosscut saws


Tooth coverage: Vintage saws typically had teeth all the way to the ends of the blade, unlike many modern saws


Manufacturer markings: Look for etched logos, names, or medallions from companies like Disston, Simonds, or Atkins


For two-man crosscut saws, additional identifying features include distinctive tooth patterns (M-tooth, champion, perforated lance, etc.) and specialized folklore names like "misery whip."

While there are many specialized hand saw varieties, the three fundamental types are:


Rip Saws: Designed for cutting with the wood grain (ripping). Features:

Fewer teeth per inch (typically 4-7 TPI)
Teeth filed straight across at 90° to the blade
Often slightly larger teeth for aggressive cutting



Crosscut Saws: Designed for cutting across the wood grain. Features:

More teeth per inch (typically 8-12 TPI)
Teeth filed at alternating angles like a series of small knives
Produces a smoother cut across the grain



Hybrid/Universal Saws: A compromise design that works reasonably well for both ripping and crosscutting. Features:

Moderate tooth count (typically 7-9 TPI)
Tooth geometry between pure rip and crosscut designs
More common in modern saws than in antiques



Understanding these basic types helps woodworkers select the right saw for specific cutting tasks and helps collectors identify the intended purpose of antique saws in their collection.

The history of hand saws extends far beyond American and European antiques:


The earliest known hand saws date back to ancient Egypt around 3000-2000 BCE, with copper saws found in tombs


Ancient Japanese saws from the 5th century have been discovered, representing early forms of the pull-saw design still used in Japanese woodworking


The Romans developed iron saws with designs similar to modern Western hand saws


The oldest saws resembling modern hand saws emerged in the 15th-16th centuries in Europe


In America, sawmaking became an established industry in the late 18th century, with early manufacturers including William Rowland (1790s) and later Henry Disston (1840s)


The earliest hand saws were initially used more like files or rasps for making accessories rather than for cutting wood. True antique hand saws in American collections typically date from the early 19th century to the mid-20th century.

Starting a Collection

1. Focus Areas:

   • Manufacturer-based collection (all Disston, all Simonds, etc.)
   • Era-based collection (pre-Civil War, Victorian period, etc.)
   • Type-based collection (backsaws, panel saws, etc.)
   • Complete model series (all variations of Disston No. 7, for example)

2. Documentation:

   • Keep detailed records of purchases, including provenance
   • Photograph saws with close-ups of identifying features
   • Record measurements and distinguishing characteristics

Proper Storage and Display

1. Preventing Rust:

   • Apply a light coat of protective oil (camellia oil, mineral oil, or paste wax)
   • Store in a climate-controlled environment (avoid high humidity)
   • Use silica gel packets in storage areas

2. Display Options:

   • Horizontal wall-mounted racks (avoid stressing handles)
   • Custom display cases with UV-protective glass
   • Rotating displays to prevent sun damage to one side

3. Handling Guidelines:

   • Always handle with clean, dry hands
   • Support both handle and blade when moving
   • Avoid stacking saws on top of each other

Comprehensive reference for identifying Disston handsaw models, featuring detailed information on handle styles, model numbers, and production periods from 1845-1990s.

Detailed chronology of Disston medallion designs with clear images and date ranges to help precisely date your antique saw based on medallion characteristics.

Expert guidance from antique tool dealer Josh Clark on what to look for when evaluating and purchasing vintage handsaws, including condition assessment.

In-depth analysis of saw medallions with detailed photographs comparing different styles and manufacturers to help with identification and dating.

Active woodworking community with extensive discussions on dating and identifying antique hand saws, featuring expert contributor insights and identification help.

Collector and user forum with numerous threads dedicated to hand saw identification, restoration techniques, and valuation discussions.

The journey of identifying and collecting antique hand saws offers multiple rewards: the thrill of the hunt, the satisfaction of accurate identification, the preservation of industrial heritage, and for many, the practical use of these tools that often outperform their modern counterparts.

By examining medallions, handles, etchings, and tooth patterns, you can unlock the stories these tools carry. Each saw bears witness to an era when craftsmanship was paramount and tools were built to last generations. Whether you’re rescuing a family heirloom or building a serious collection, the knowledge and appreciation of these remarkable implements connects us tangibly with our woodworking heritage.

Remember that condition, rarity, manufacturer, and historical significance all factor into both the collector value and the practical utility of antique hand saws. With careful research and attention to detail, you can accurately identify, preserve, and potentially even use these magnificent tools from America’s industrial golden age.

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