Vintage Saws

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vikingdog
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Vintage Saws

Post by vikingdog »

I have several old saws that were given to me by my Dad many years ago. Some of them were his grandfather's and great grandfather's. They don't have any great monetary value but I really like them. They are well made and have character. The town where they all lived and I grew up was Williamsport, PA which was the lumber capital of the world in the 1800's.

As far as I know most of my ancestors were carpenters and machinists. The Disston hand saw has my great grandfather's brother's named etched or engraved into the blade in very elegant hand writing. People took pride in such basic things in those days. I'm guessing that was done in the late 1800's.

I'm hoping a few of you will post photos of your old saws. I'd like to see how many types and variations we come up with. Joe, I'd appreciate any information on my saws, what type they are and what they were used for etc.

I wish I could have met the people that used these saws and worked with them for awhile.
Attachments
Disston
Disston
Geo. Heffner 2.jpg
Disston
Disston
Jackson saw
Jackson saw
Jackson
Jackson
August 2013 020.jpg
"Progress might have been all right once, but it has gone on too long." Ogden Nash

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Mike
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Miller Bro's
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Re: Vintage Saws

Post by Miller Bro's »

Nice saws ::tu::

I have lots of old ones, need to get some pictures posted here ::nod::
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wildcat
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Re: Vintage Saws

Post by wildcat »

Sweet. Now im gonna hafta get mine out and snap some pics. ::tu::
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vikingdog
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Re: Vintage Saws

Post by vikingdog »

I'm looking forward to it Dimitri and wildcat. ::tu::
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FRJ
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Re: Vintage Saws

Post by FRJ »

Mike,
those are some really nice saws. 1st. picture of a well cared for and elegant handled crosscut, with that fine hand signature.
Nice two man crosscut saws, but the saw with the handsaw handle could be used by one man, I believe.
A nice Disston back saw used primarily by woodworkers and finish trim carpenters. These saws are invaluable in so many ways.
Thanks for starting this thread, Mike.
Joe
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FRJ
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Re: Vintage Saws

Post by FRJ »

Here's my group.
An old ice saw.
Fret saw and coping saws and a jewelers saw. You can get very fine blades for these.
Back saws and I took the liberty of showing a few hand planes for effect.

Thanks for looking.
Attachments
Ice saw & 4' level
Ice saw & 4' level
IMG_1389.JPG
IMG_1389.JPG (40.24 KiB) Viewed 5944 times
Crosscuts
Crosscuts
Crosscut and rip saws
Crosscut and rip saws
Fret saw
Fret saw
Coping saws
Coping saws
Coping saw
Coping saw
Jewelers saw
Jewelers saw
Back saws
Back saws
Back saws, hand planes and trammel points.
Back saws, hand planes and trammel points.
Joe
coffeecup
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Re: Vintage Saws

Post by coffeecup »

I occasionally run the saw filer and do hand filing for a friend's shop (not like there is a lot of demand! :lol: ). last winter, he actually had a guy bring in an ice saw and ask to have it sharpened. The owner said he wanted to use it to trim some brush around the barn. . . .

Once in a while someone will bring in one of the old misery whips to have sharpened. Usually it is old folks who want to have something to have the grandkids do to get them out of their hair during visits.

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vikingdog
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Re: Vintage Saws

Post by vikingdog »

Thanks for the info Joe and for posting the photos. ::tu:: That ice saw is amazing, I've never seen one before.
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vikingdog
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Re: Vintage Saws

Post by vikingdog »

Joe, here's a photo of some ice harvesters in Williamsport, Pa. I have no idea of the date.
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Iceworkers.jpg
"Progress might have been all right once, but it has gone on too long." Ogden Nash

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Mike
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FRJ
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Re: Vintage Saws

Post by FRJ »

That's a great old picture, Mike.
Ice was quite an industry at one time. I would assume they relied on the lumber industry as well for low cost insulating sawdust.
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Re: Vintage Saws

Post by TripleF »

I visited this estate sale for the second time this week (other time was Friday) and saw these saws.
Today the medallions jumped out at me, because I had never seen a saw with a medallion on the handle.....

Come to find out they're DISSTON Brand.
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lot11.14.13 017.JPG
lot11.14.13 015.JPG
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vikingdog
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Re: Vintage Saws

Post by vikingdog »

I was just reading about Disston. For 50 years they were the largest saw makers in the world, a one point producing 75% of the saws sold in America.

Here's a good history of the company: http://www.disstonianinstitute.com/100anniversary.html
"Progress might have been all right once, but it has gone on too long." Ogden Nash

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Mike
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Re: Vintage Saws

Post by TripleF »

Awesome info huh, vikingdog? ::nod:: ::tu::
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ol' smoke
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Re: Vintage Saws

Post by ol' smoke »

I hired on to a company (OIC) to remodel a Dillards store in Austin, late 80s. 20+ carpenters using handsaws whenever possible. Dillards and OIC just wanted it that way. Every week we sent out several saws for sharpening. The test for a correct sharpening was to slide a needle down between the teeth the length of the sawblade. If the needle jumped off the teeth had a bad "set". Never forget my assigned partner using my freshly sharpened saw to cut the web between his thumb and fore-finger. ::teary_eyes::
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FRJ
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Re: Vintage Saws

Post by FRJ »

Here's one every tradesman should have.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/360821304362?ss ... 1438.l2648
Joe
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vikingdog
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Re: Vintage Saws

Post by vikingdog »

Very nice for fine finish work...
"Progress might have been all right once, but it has gone on too long." Ogden Nash

My traditional Nordic knife blog: http://nordiskaknivar.wordpress.com/

Mike
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Re: Vintage Saws

Post by rarefish383 »

Wow, I should have done a search and just added mine to these. Keep them all in one place, Joe.
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Re: Vintage Saws

Post by eveled »

Beautiful saws guys.
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Re: Vintage Saws

Post by New_Windsor_NY »

I don't know if this saw is an antique, but it is definitely vintage. It's another one of those items that I remember always being in the family. Hanging on the wall in the tool shed, on the wall in the garage or up in the attic. But, I never saw it being used. It may originally have belonged to my grandfather. It now adorns space on my living room wall (it goes well with my decor). If there are maker marks/stamps, I can't see them. :D
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