Disston Victory Handsaws
Detail of ca. 1950 Disston D-15 Handsaw |
Detail of WWII-era Victory etch |
Disston Victory Handsaws
Detail of ca. 1950 Disston D-15 Handsaw |
Detail of WWII-era Victory etch |
In 1915 Disston and Sons, Inc. commemorated the 75th anniversary of the company's founding with a new saw. The D-115 was a London Spring steel blade saw with a rosewood handle and a fancy etching. It's not a saw that Joe Framer would have used to build tract houses. Disston called it the Diamond Jubilee Saw.
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No less striking than the Diamond Jubilee etch is that of the D-115 Victory saw. Around the time the U.S. was making its entry into World War I, Disston redesigned the D-115's etch and it became known as the Victory Saw. The etch shows an eagle flying over nine flags, holding the Liberty Bell over the phrase, "Proclaim Liberty Throughout the World". Allegory on a saw blade. The etch design was revised when the "V" for Victory symbol was brought into fashion by Winston Churchill during WWII.
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The rosewood handle, like the blade, was shaped much like that of a D-8 saw until 1928. Like every other saw in the Disston line, the Victory saws were changed at that time. The handle shape became something more like the D-23. |
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 | On the left is a D-115 from the pre-1928 era. |
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There was also a straight-backed version of the saw, the D-15; a post-1928 model is shown here. |
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The WWII-era saws have the Morse Code symbol for the letter V "...-" under the word Victory. During the war, rosewood was not used to make the handles, it appears to be walnut. D-42 and D-43 saws were wartime models, similar in quality to the D-15, except the hardware was steel instead of brass. D-42 and D-43 don't appear in catalogs from that time.
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The 1947 catalog lists the D-15 saw with a laminate handle. This would be it. Rosewood is listed again in 1951. This probably resulted from a wood-supply issue. |
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The D-95 handsaw was produced from 1935-53 with a plastic handle. It's mentioned here because it also featured the Victory etch for at least part of its production. It was referred to as the Masterpiece model. Click here to see great photos of a mint example of the saw. |
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.
Extra Refined London Spring Steel, Selected and Highly Polished Blade,
Warranted, Rosewood Handle, Carved and Polished, Nickel-Plated Screws.
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Retail per Dozen |
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| Length | |
| 16" | $25.75 |
| 18" | $27.75 |
| 20" | $30 |
| 22" | $32 |
| 24" | $34 |
| 26" | $36 |
| 28" | $40 |
| 30" | $45 |
This is the latest and finest product of the Disston Works, and the last word in saw making. Genuine Rosewood handle, carved and polished. The blade is Disston Skewback design, exceptionally high finish, made from Disston Crucible Steel, and fastened in the handle with nickel-plated screws. Our many years' experience and wide knowledge in the making of a perfect saw steel has enabled us to produce a blade for this saw that cannot be duplicated elsewhere.
No. D-15. Same quality and finish as D-115. Straight back.
This is the latest and finest Handsaw ever made. Genuine Rosewood handle, carved and polished. The blade is Disston Skewback design, exceptionally high finish, made from Disston Highest quality Crucible Steel, and fastened in the handle with nickel-plated screws. Our many years' experience and wide knowledge in the making of a perfect saw steel has enabled us to produce a blade for this saw that cannot be duplicated elsewhere. Packed one in Special Box.
| inches | points | Retail | |
| Cross Cut | |||
| 20 | 10, 11 | $30.00 per dozen | |
| 22 | 10, 11 | $32.00 | |
| 24 | 9, 10, 11 | $34.00 | |
| 26 | 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 | $36.00 | |
| Rip | |||
| 26 | 5, 5½, 6 | $36.00 |
| inches | points | Retail | |
| Cross Cut | |||
| 24 | 8, 9, 10 | $34.00 per dozen | |
| 26 | 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 | $36.00 | |
| Rip | |||
| 26 | 5½, 6 | $36.00 |
This is the finest product of the Disston Saw Works, and we believe the best practical hand saw in material, workmanship, and finish that can be made. Carpenters and saw users who want a tool of unusual efficiency and beauty are users of this saw. We have made it as good in quality and beautiful in appearance as we can in a practical tool. The handle is of genuine rosewood, beautifully carved and polished; the five screws which fasten the handle to the blade are of brass, nickel-plated. Careful workmanship has produced a remarkable finish on the blade. The blade, which is of Disston-made Steel, has special workmanship through all the processes-hardening, tempering, setting, and filing.
Altogether, it is a tool worthy of its place at the head of the line of Disston Quality Saws. It is made in lengths from 16 to 30 inches with cross-cut or rip teeth. The special care and workmanship in this saw naturally makes its cost higher than that of an ordinary tool. The D-15 Saw is exactly like the D-115 except that the blade is straight-back.
This is the finest product of the Disston Saw Works, and we believe the best practical hand saw in material, workmanship, and finish that can be made. Carpenters and saw users who want a tool of unusual efficiency and beauty are users of this saw. We have made it as good in quality and beautiful in appearance as we can in a practical tool. The handle is of genuine rosewood, beautifully carved and polished; the five screws which fasten the handle to the blade are of brass, nickel-plated. Careful workmanship has produced a remarkable finish on the blade. The blade, which is of Disston-made Steel, has special workmanship through all the processes-hardening, tempering, setting, and filing.
Altogether, it is a tool worthy of its place at the head of the line of Disston Quality Saws. It is made in lengths from 20 to 26 inches with cross-cut and 26 inches rip teeth. The special care and workmanship in this saw naturally makes its cost higher than that of an ordinary tool.
Choosing a saw for general use is largely a matter of personal preference. The following Disston Saws are all popular. One of the wide-blade patterns or the Lightweight patterns will have the temper, weight, and balance that just suits you.
More and more each year sawing is in lighter work. Carpenters and saw users do not have as much heavy sawing to do. Modern building methods have taken a great deal of it away. Therefore, Disston Lightweight Saws, having less weight and less width to the blade, are very popular. They are easier to handle on many of today's sawing jobs.
This saw is the finest product of the Disston Saw Works and, we believe, the best practical hand saw in material, workmanship, and finish that can be made. Carpenters and saw users who want a tool of unusual efficiency and beauty are users of this saw. We have made it as good in quality and beautiful in appearance as we can in a practical tool. The handle is of genuine rosewood, beautifully carved and polished; the five screws which fasten the handle to the blade are of brass, nickel-plated.
Careful workmanship has produced a remarkable finish on the taper-ground, thin-back blade. The blade, which is of Disston-made Steel, has special workmanship through all the processes-hardening, tempering, grinding, setting, and filing. Altogether, it is a tool worthy of its place at the head of the line of Disston Quality Saws.
Made in lengths of 24 and 26 inches cross-cut teeth, and 26 inches rip teeth. The special care and workmanship in this saw naturally make its cost higher than that of an ordinary tool.
The D-115 Saw is exactly like the D-15 except that the blade is skew-back. Made cross-cut teeth, 20 inches to 26 inches; rip, 26 inches.
Carved rosewood handle with new weatherproof finish.
Nickel-plated screws. Disston true-taper grind.
Price, 26" length, $5.85 each
length points cross-cut 20" 11 22" 10 24" 10, 11 26" 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 rip 26" 5½, 6
Improved pattern rosewood handle. New grip, roomy and comfortable.
New carving, new weatherproof finish. Nickel-plated screws. Disston true-taper grind.
This and the D-115 are the finest hand saws on earth.
Price, 26" length, $5.85 each
length points cross-cut 24" 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 26" 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 rip 26" 5½, 6
The finest Lightweight saw that Disston makes.
Improved pattern of rosewood handle, with new grip, roomy and comfortable.
New carving, new weatherproof finish, nickel-plated screws. Disston true-taper grind.
| length | points | retail (each) | |
| Crosscut | 24" | 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 | |
| 26" | 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 | $5.85 | |
| Rip | 26" | 5½, 6 | $5.85 |
To those who prefer Regular Pattern (Standard Width) saws, we can supply the old-time favorites, improved in every feature, including Disston True-Taper grinding, thinner blades, weatherproof-finish handles with covered tops, larger hand holes, etc. Disston Regular Pattern saws are made in all required lengths and points. The numbers of these old-time favorites are D-115, D-8, D-120, and D-17 in skew-back patterns, and D-12, D-16, and D-7 in straight-back.
| Length | Points | |
| Crosscut | 24" | 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 |
| 26" | 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 | |
| Rip | 26" | 5½, 6 |
The Disston No. D-15 Lightweight Straight-back Pattern is the finest saw Disston makes. highest quality material, best workmanship, beautiful finish. The lightweight saw for the man who prides himself on fine tools. Thin back, true-taper ground by a new Disston process. Tooth edge is the same gauge throughout; blade tapers evenly from butt to point and from tooth edge to back, making a fast, smooth, easy-cutting saw.
Blade of Disston steel, hardened and tempered; striped back. Genuine rosewood cover-top handle, artistically carved; large hand hole; comfortable grip. Disston weatherproof finish. Five nickel-plated screws in 26-inch length, and four nickel-plated screws in 24-inch length.
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Length of Blade |
Points to inch Cross-cut |
Points to inch Rip |
Weight per doz. |
Retail Price per doz. |
| 24 inches | 7, 8, 9, 10 | 21 lbs. | $60.00 | |
| 26 inches | 7, 8, 9, 10 | 5½, 6 | 23 lbs. | $60.00 |
The Disston No. D-115 Regular Pattern Skew-back Saw is the choice of the man who demands the best in a regular pattern blade. High quality; best workmanship; beautiful finish. It and the D-15 are the finest saws Disston make. Thin back, true-taper ground by a new Disston process. Tooth edge is the same gauge throughout; blade tapers evenly from butt to point and from tooth edge to back. A fast, smooth, easy-cutting saw.
Blade of Disston steel, hardened and tempered; beautiful finish; striped back.
Genuine rosewood cover-top handle, artistically carved; comfortable grip; large hand hole. Disston weatherproof finish. Five nickel-plated screws.
Length
of BladePoints to inch
Cross-cutPoints to
inch RipWeight
per doz.Retail Price
per doz.26 inches 7, 8, 9, 10 [not available] 26 lbs. $60.00
Packed 1/6 dozen in box.
Width of 26-inch blade: Butt 6 5/8 inches; Point 2 1/8 inches.
Information taken from Disston 1937 catalog:
D-15 Lightweight, Straight-back
Improved pattern rosewood handle. New grip, roomy and comfortable.
New carving, new weatherproof finish, nickel-plated screws. Disston true-taper grind.
This and D-115 are the finest saws made.
Length Points Crosscut 24" 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 26" 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 Rip 26" 5½, 6
Information taken from Disston 1939 and 1940 catalogs:
D-15 Lightweight Pattern, Straightback
Covertop, carved rosewood handle, weatherproof finish, roomy comfortable grip.
Disston Steel blade, striped back, true taper ground. Beautifully finished.
This saw, the D-115 and D-95 are three of the finest handsaws ever manufactured.
length points Crosscut 24" 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 26" 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 Rip 26" 5½, 6
D-115 Regular Pattern Skewback
Covertop, carved rosewood handle with comfortable grip, weatherproof finish.
Disston Steel blade, striped back, true taper ground. Beautiful finish.
length points Crosscut 26" 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
[Note the change in the etch from 1940 to 1942, and how it goes back to the original design in 1945. Other features of the saw are unchanged over that time.]
Information taken from Disston 1942 catalog:
D-15 Lightweight Pattern, Straightback
Covertop, carved rosewood handle, weatherproof finish, roomy comfortable grip.
Disston Steel blade, striped back, true taper ground. Beautifully finished.
This saw, the D-115 and D-95 are three of the finest handsaws ever manufactured.
length points Crosscut 24" 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 26" 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 Rip 26" 5½, 6
D-115 Regular Pattern Skewback
Covertop, carved rosewood handle with comfortable grip, weatherproof finish.
Disston Steel blade, striped back, true taper ground. Beautiful finish.
length points Crosscut 26" 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
[Note the change in the etch from 1940 to 1942, and how it goes back to the original design in 1945. Other features of the saw are unchanged over that time.]
Information taken from Disston 1945 catalog:
D-15 Lightweight Pattern, Straightback
Covertop, carved rosewood handle, weatherproof finish, roomy comfortable grip.
Disston Steel blade, striped back, true taper ground. Beautifully finished.
This saw, the D-115 and D-95 are three of the finest handsaws ever manufactured.
length points Crosscut 24" 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 26" 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 Rip 26" 5½, 6
D-115 Regular Pattern Skewback
Covertop, carved rosewood handle with comfortable grip, weatherproof finish.
Disston Steel blade, striped back, true taper ground. Beautiful finish.
length points Crosscut 26" 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
[Note the change in the etch from 1940 to 1942, and how it goes back to the original design in 1945. Other features of the saw are unchanged over that time.]
The D-115 does not appear in the 1947 brochure.
Information taken from Disston 1947 catalog:
D-15 Lightweight Pattern Straight-back
A fine Disston Saw -- highest quality material, best workmanship.
Disston Steel blade, striped back, true taper ground. Beautiful finish.
Cover-top, laminated wood, carved handle, weatherproof finish.
length points Crosscut 24" 8, 10 26" 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 Rip 26" 5½
[Note the change in the etch from 1945 to 1947. The "V" had returned for the rest of the saw's production]
Information taken from Disston 1951 catalog:
D-15 Lightweight Pattern Straight-back
A fine Disston Saw -- highest quality material, best workmanship.
Disston Steel blade, striped back, true taper ground. Beautiful finish.
Cover-top, carved, attractive rosewood handle, weatherproof finish.
length points Crosscut 24" 8, 10 26" 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 Rip 26" 5½
Information taken from Disston 1953 catalog:
D-15 Lightweight Pattern Straight-back
A fine Disston Saw -- highest quality material, best workmanship.
Disston Steel blade, striped back, true taper ground. Beautiful finish.
Cover-top, carved, attractive rosewood handle, weatherproof finish.
length ppi Crosscut 26" 8, 10, 12 Rip 26" 5½
The D-15 does not appear in the 1955 product line catalog.
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The saw was impressive and there must have been a market for it, because Disston continued the saw in one form or another until 1953. The Diamond Jubilee probably was sold for a year or so. The D-115 first appeared in the 1914 catalog without the extra diamond logo.
