Disston D-20, D-21, D-22, and D-23 Handsaws

Disston introduced a mid-priced line of saws, the D-20 series, in 1911. The saws have features from the more expensive saws and are excellent, even though they are not considered the most collectable models. The saws are as follows: The D-20, a skewback narrow width saw. The D-21, a skewback regular width saw. The D-22, a straight-back regular width saw. The D-23, a straight-back narrow width saw.

 

The regular width saws were dropped in 1924, and the D-20, which is more commonly found today than the D-21 and D-22, was discontinued in the big product line change of 1928-1931. The D-23 was carried throughout the remainder of the company's existance (1955), and there was a lesser-quality version of the saw marketed with the Disston name until the early 1990's. As to why Disston dropped the skewback version of the saw while the D-23 was one of their best sellers, my guess is the skewback was less popular. The D-20, while a good saw, is so narrow, it looked like a used-up saw with too many sharpenings when it was new. The straight-back looks more robust.

 

A guide to age of the saw is the handle. Earlier handles are applewood. Sometime shortly after WWII, the handles were changed to beech with a stain that looks like apple. Notice the difference between the pre-1928 and post-1928 handles. The small notch appears at the top of the older handle, the gentle relief for the second hand on the later one. That feature first appears on the D-20/23 models in 1927. Also the hand hole is larger than the earlier saws.

 

The handle changed again in 1928. The handle is a "covertop" with the slot for the blade not showing through the top of the handle. Also the shape of the handle hole is different. The carving is a little more extensive on the pre-1947 saws, with extra wheat carving above the medallion. As with other saws, the medallion helps with the date also. The redesigned D-20 was dropped from production shortly after its introduction in 1928.
The etch was changed in 1928 on all the saws. Pre-1928 saws have the model number inside the letter "D". Starting in 1928, the etches look like the example shown here.
	This is the D-20 model that was produced for only a year or two, starting in 1928.

 

Here is the beech-handled D-23. There must have been a problem with obtaining applewood during or after WWII, because once Disston's supply of applewood was gone in 1947 or so, that species never reappeared. The D-23 and D-8 switched from apple to beech, and the D-12 switched from apple to walnut.

For a woodworker or carpenter looking for a handsaw to use, the D-23 is an excellent choice. First, the price is reasonable because they are newer than most of the more collectable saws. Second, because they aren't as old, they are likely not to have been sharpened more than once or twice, if at all. Handsaws fell into disuse after WWII as power saws came into favor. Third, you can subject a D-23 to the harsh environment of a worksite without feeling bad about abusing a 100-year-old antique. The handles are thicker and stronger than other saws. Think of all old saws you see with broken horns on the handle. That sort of damage is not found on D-23's.

The larger handle on post-1928 saws may indicate the timing of a change in the sawing method used by carpenters in the U.S. Older saws have smaller handles not because people were smaller, but because the "correct" grip on a saw was a three-finger hold, with the index finger pointing toward the toe of the saw. It is a natural position for the hand, and it aids in control of the saw. For some reason, mechanics started holding a saw like it was a beer mug, and they needed a bigger handle for their hands. Taken to the next level, panel saws and small backsaws have even smaller handles, and a four-finger grip is all but impossible for an adult.

 

Another good feature of the D-23 is the blade. The steel is a good combination of hardness and toughness. As metallurgic science improved in the 20th century, sawmaking became less "black magic" and quality was more consistant. This saw is a true workhorse. It's a mid-1940's D-23 with the applewood handle and nickel-plated sawnuts. The handle's wear shows where it is burnished over the carving from use. I replaced the medallion and nuts with examples that were in better condition and sprayed the handle with garnet shellac. The result is a fine user-grade tool. I'm more conservative with the true antiques. No one should expect to see new finish on a 19th century tool.

 

Finally, even as Disston began to cut corners and quality decreased in many aspects (look at the saw handle), D-23 saws made before 1955 are better than any handsaw sold since then.

Skewback, Refined Crucible Steel, Highly Polished Blade, Warrented, Apple Handle, Carved and Polished, Brass Screws.
26" Blade is 6 inches wide at butt, 1-3/4 inches at point.

 

	Retail  per Dozen
Length
18"	$18.25
20"	$20
22"	$22
24"	$23.50
26"	$25
28"	$28

D-21
Full Width Skewback Blade, same quality and finish as D-20.

D-22
Full Width Straight-Back Blade, same quality and finish as D-20.

D-23
Straight-Back Blade
26" Blade is 6 inches wide at butt, 1-3/4 inches at point.

Refined Crucible Steel, Highly Polished Blade, Warranted, Apple Handle,
Carved and Polished, Brass Screws.

Manufactured only in the following lengths and points:

	inches	points	retail
Cross Cut	24	8, 9, 10, 11	$23.50 per dozen
	26	7, 8, 9, 10, 11	$25.00
Rip	26	5, 5 ½, 6	$25.00

The D-20 saw is made particularly for those who prefer a narrow width blade. This blade, skew back in design, is 1 3/4 inches wide at the point and 6 1/4 inches at the butt instead of 2 3/4 inches at the point and 6 3/4 inches at the butt as in full width saws. This makes the D-20 a very light and easy saw to operate. This feature, together with the comfortable grip, makes the D-20 a favorite with some users.

D-23

26-inch Blade, 6 1/4 inches wide at butt, 1 3/4 inches at point.
Same as D-20, except straight back.

D-20

D-20 Saw

D-23 Lightweight, Straight Back

Improved pattern of applewood handle, carved.
New grip, roomy and comfortable. New weatherproof finish.
Brass screws. Greater beauty. Disston true-taper grind.
Price, 26" length, $3.85 each

 

	length	points
cross-cut	20"	10, 11
	22"	9, 10, 11
	24"	7, 8, 9, 10, 11
	26"	7, 8, 9, 10, 11
rip	24"	7
	26"	5, 5 ½, 6, 7

D-20 Lightweight, Skew Back

Same as D-23, except that it has skew back instead of straight back.
Improved pattern of applewood handle, carved. Larger hand-hole.
New grip. New weatherproof finish. Disston true-taper grind.
Price, 26" length, $3.85 each

 

	length	points
cross-cut	20"	10, 11
	22"	10, 11
	24"	8, 9, 10, 11
	26"	7, 8, 9, 10, 11
rip	26"	5 ½, 6

D-23 Lightweight Pattern, Straight-back

Improved pattern of applewood handle, carved, new grip, roomy and comfortable;
new weatherproof finish, brass screws. Disston true-taper grind.

 

	length	points	retail (each)
Crosscut	20"	10, 11
	22"	9, 10, 11
	24"	7, 8, 9, 10, 11
	26"	7, 8, 9, 10, 11	$3.85
Rip	24"	7
	26"	5, 5 ½, 6, 7	$3.85

D-23 Lightweight, Straight-back

Improved pattern of applewood handle, carved; new grip, roomy and comfortable; new weatherproof finish.
Brass screws. Greater beauty. Disston true-taper grind.

 

	length	points
Crosscut	20"	10
	22"	10, 11
	24"	7, 8, 9, 10, 11
	26"	7, 8, 9, 10, 11
Rip	26"	5 ½, 6

No. D-23 Lightweight Pattern Straight-back

Packed 1/3 dozen in box.
Width of 26-inch blade: Butt 6 3/8 inches; Point 1 ½ inches; 24-inch size in proportion.

D-23 Lightweight, Straight-back

Improved pattern of applewood handle, carved; new grip, roomy and comfortable; new weatherproof finish.
Brass screws. Greater beauty. Disston true-taper grind.

 

	Length	Points
Crosscut	24"	7, 8, 9, 10, 11
	26"	7, 8, 9, 10, 11
Rip	26"	5 ½, 6

D-23 Lightweight, Straight-back.

Cover-top, carved applewood handle, weatherproof finish.
Disston Steel blade, high polish, striped back, true-taper ground.

 

	Length	Points
Crosscut	20"	8, 9, 10, 11, 12
	22"	8, 9, 10, 11, 12
	24"	7, 8, 9, 10, 11
	26"	7, 8, 9, 10, 11
Rip	26"	5 ½, 6

D-23 Lightweight Pattern Straight-back.

Always popular with saw users demanding quality and workmanship.
Disston steel blade, high polish, striped back, true taper ground.
Cover-top, carved handle, weather-proof finish.

 

	length	ppi
Crosscut	20"	10, 11
	24"	8, 9, 10, 11
	26"	7, 8, 9, 10, 11
Rip	26"	5 ½

D-23 Lightweight Pattern Straight-back.

Always popular with saw users demanding quality and workmanship.
Disston steel blade, high polish, striped back, true taper ground.
Cover-top, carved handle, weather-proof finish.

 

	length	ppi
Crosscut	16"	11
	20"	10, 11
	24"	8, 9, 10, 11
	26"	7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Rip	26"	5 ½

D-23 Lightweight Pattern Straight-back.

Always popular with saw users demanding quality and workmanship.
Disston steel blade, high polish, striped back, true taper ground.
Cover-top, carved handle, weather-proof finish.

 

	length	ppi
Crosscut	16"	11
	20"	10
	24"	8, 10
	26"	8, 10, 11
Rip	26"	5 ½

D-23 Lightweight Pattern Straightback.

Disston steel blade, high polish, striped back, true taper ground.
Cover-top handle, weather-proof finish.

 

	length	ppi
Crosscut	16"	11
	20"	10
	24"	8, 10
	26"	7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Rip	26"	5 ½