No. 8 Handsaw

No. 8 Handsaws



No. 8 Handsaw Etch

The No. 8 handsaw was sold from the 1840's until about 1918-23. The saw looks like a No. 7 with an applewood handle, instead of beech, and the blade is Spring steel with a "grained" finish. A grained finish was done with the grinding stones that tapered the blades. Saws like the No. 12 and D-23 were polished after grinding, resulting in a shiny blade. Most saws were not polished, including the No. 8.
No. 8 Handle

This example of the No. 8 was manufactured between 1865 and 1871. Disston saws from the mid to late 1860's sometimes have a combination of a blade stamped Henry Disston with a H. Disston and Son medallion or an etched Henry Disston and Son blade with an eagle medallion. The existing stock of blades and medallions was probably used up before the newer ones were introduced. This saw has both of the newer features, so may date close to 1870.

No. 8 handle
This is a No. 8 handsaw from the 1840's, the time when Henry Disston worked with one apprentice in a 400 square foot room. It is not factory work, but the labor of an individual. The detail and skillful execution of the handle is remarkable. Saws from several makers in that decade feature the blank disk instead of a medallion or "label screw", as some collectors call them.
No. 8 saw
 


1840's No. 8 Handsaw

This No. 8 Handsaw dates to the early 1850's, and its condition is outstanding.
1840's medallion


1840's No. 8 stamp on the blade
1840's No. 8 Handle




         


 

This example of the No. 8 handsaw was manufactured at the turn of the 20th century. Disston's range of saws at that time seems to have included models with combinations of every feature. By the 1920's and 30's manufacturers like Disston, Stanley, and Millers Falls had reduced the diversity (and sometimes redundancy) in their catalogs. Some of the Disston saw models dropped in the 1920's were No's 8, 9, 76, 99, 120, D-20, D-21, D-22, and D-100. This doesn't include the complete redesign of the remaining models and change-over to "D" models in 1928.
No. 8 Handle


         


No. 8 Handsaw







Information taken from Disston 1876 catalog:

No. 8 1876 catalog illustration
No. 8

Spring Steel, warranted, apple handle, polished edges, etched.

 Retail
 per Dozen
Length
16" $15.00
18" $16.50
20" $18.00
22" $20.50
24" $22.00
26" $22.50
28" $26.00
30" $30.00





Information taken from Disston 1890 catalog:

If you cannot be supplied through your dealer, write us.

No. 8 1890 catalog illustration
No. 8

Disston & Sons' Spring Steel, warranted, Apple Handle, Polished Edge, 4 Improved Screws, Grained Blade.


 Retail
 per Dozen
Length
16" $13.50
18" $14.50
20" $16.50
22" $18.50
24" $20.00
26" $21.00
28" $24.00
30" $28.00





Information taken from Disston 1906 catalog:

Note: The product line was its broadest at this time. Points per inch are not specified so it may be safe to assume the customer could special order any practical number of points on a saw.

No. 8 1914 catalog illustration
No. 8

Spring Steel, Grained Blade, Warranted, Apple Handle, Polished Edge, Brass Screws.
Prices per dozen retail

Length 16" 18" 20" 22" 24" 26" 28" 30"
Price $13.75 $14.75 $16.75 $19.00 $20.50 $21.50 $24.50 $28.50



Information taken from Disston 1911, 1914, and 1918 catalogs:

Note: The product line was its broadest at this time. Points per inch are not specified so it may be safe to assume the customer could special order any practical number of points on a saw.

No. 8 1914 catalog illustration
No. 8

Refined Crucible Steel, Grained Blade, Warranted, Apple Handle, Polished Edge, Brass Screws.
Prices per dozen retail

Length 16" 18" 20" 22" 24" 26" 28" 30"
Price $13.75 $14.75 $16.75 $19.00 $20.50 $21.50 $24.50 $28.50



The No. 8 appears in the 1918 catalog, first edition, but not the third edition, printed in 1923.


######### [BACK HOME] #########