No. 70 Dovetail Saw

Disston Dovetail Saws

The purpose of a dovetail saw is, as the name implies, to cut dovetails and other fine joints. Besides its small size, the distinguishing feature of the dovetail saw that separates it from other backsaws is the thickness of its blade, about .018" (26 gauge). Other backsaws can be about .025"-.040", depending on length and intended purpose. Miterbox saws are the thickest. A thin blade and its resulting kerf allows the most accurate saw cut for a small joint like a drawer's dovetail.

Disston made three saws for dovetails and similar fine work. The backs were steel with brass plating. The No. 68 had a straight, turned handle, and is sometimes called a gent's saw today. The No. 70 had an open handle, and looked like an English saw. Note the angle between the back and teeth of this saw. That type of filing is often found on small backsaws, but that's not how they came from the factory. The teeth were parallel to the back originally. An explanation the shape of these small saw blades appears here.

Something to check when buying a saw is to see if the back was jarred out of place by someone dropping the saw on the floor. That sort of accident can warp the blade, but often it can be fixed. Of course the other result is the loss of the handle's lower horn, as shown here.

Note that the No. 70 does not have a medallion. Occasionally an open-handled Disston backsaw shows up with a medallion. There is no record of a saw in that style with the Disston brand name. A closed-handle saw may have been modified by a cabinetmaker to fit his hand.

The No. 71 was similar to the No. 68, but the handle was offset from the blade in order to allow the user to cut flush with a panel (cutting the extra length from the end of a dowel joint, for example). I don't have an image of the No. 71, but similar saws are still being sold by other manufacturers today.

In the 1937 catalog, the No. 68 was available in lengths of 6, 8, 10, and 12 inches. The No. 70 was available 8" or 10", and the No. 71 was 10". In 1918, all the saws were available in 6, 8, 10, and 12" sizes. In addition there was a No. 69 saw, similar to the 68 in appearance, made for cutting non-ferrous metals, such as brass and copper.

It can be difficult to find a user-grade Disston dovetail saw. The thin blades are subject to damage. A woodworker can substitute a fairly common 8" or 10" Disston No. 4 backsaw (not as thin a blade, but serviceable). New high-quality dovetail saws are available at a price, or an inexpensive new gent's saw can be retoothed. A rip tooth is the most efficient shape for a dovetail saw, since that's the type of cut being made. A tooth pitch of 14-17 points per inch works best for most woodworkers. Many saws sold for dovetailing today are filed crosscut with too fine a pitch for good work.

Information taken from Disston 1918 catalog:

Nos. 68 and 71 dovetail saw 1918 catalog illustration
Dovetail Saw No. 68                Dovetail Saw No. 71

Polished Handle, Steel back, Brass Plated, Extra Quality Spring Steel Blade, 1 1/2 inches wide under back, 26 gauge, 17 points.

The Disston No. 71 dovetail Saw is the same as the No. 68 except that the handle and blade are offset to permit work on a flat surface.

Nos. 68 and 71      6   8  10  12  inches

Dovetail Saw No. 69
Same pattern and dimensions as No. 68.
Made for cutting brass and copper in sheets or tubes.

No. 70 dovetail saw 1918 catalog illustration
Dovetail Saw No. 70

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.

6 8 10 12 inches
$7.50 8.00 9.00 9.75 per dozen

Packed one-sixth dozen in box.

The No. 68 also appears in the 1906 catalog. The No. 70 makes its first appearance in the 1918 catalog.

Information taken from Disston 1932 catalog:

No. 68 Dovetail Saw 1932 catalog Illustration
No. 68 Dovetail Saw

The Disston No. 68 Dovetail Saw has a round handle on straight line with the back of the saw; used for tenoning, dovetailing, ship-model building, toy-making, cog-cutting, and other fine work.

Blade of Disston steel: 26 gauge; 17 points to the inch; brass-plated back.
Hardwood handle, polished; heavy brass-plated ferrule. Rivet through handle, ferrule and tang prevents handle from working loose or turning.

Length
of Blade 		Number
of Screws
in handle 		Weight
per dozen 		Price
per dozen
6 inches 1 1/2 inches 5 1/2 lbs. $16.10
8 inches 1 1/2 inches 6 lbs. 18.00
10 inches 1 5/8 inches 6 1/2 lbs. 20.00
12 inches 1 5/8 inches 7 lbs. 22.00

Packed 1/6 dozen in box.

No. 70 Dovetail Saw 1932 catalog Illustration
No.70 Dovetail Saw

The Disston No. 70 Dovetail Saw has a strong, open-grip handle, fastened to blade. Back extends into handle to help support the blade. This gives better control when sawing. Used for tenoning, dovetailing and for other fine, accurate work.

Blade of Disston steel; 26 gauge, 17 points to the inch. A brass-plated back supports the blade.
Applewood handle, varnished edges, two brass screws.

Length
of Blade 		Number
of Screws
in handle 		Weight
per dozen 		Price
per dozen
8 inches 1 1/2 inches 5 3/4 lbs. $24.50
10 inches 1 5/8 inches 6 1/2 lbs. 26.00

Packed 1/6 dozen in box.

No. 71 Dovetail Saw 1932 catalog Illustration
No.71 Dovetail Saw

The Disston No. 71 Dovetail Saw has an offset handle and blade, to permit cutting with blade flush to the board in floor or wall.

Blade of Disston steel, 26 gauge; 17 points to inch. Brass-plated back supports the blade, and extends into the handle.
Hardwood handle, comfortable grip; brass-plated ferrule with rivet through ferrule, tang and handle.

Length
of Blade 		Number
of Screws
in handle 		Weight
per dozen 		Price
per dozen
10 inches 1 1/2 inches 6 lbs. $23.55

Packed 1/6 dozen in box.

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