Clean c1900 H. Disston & Sons No.7 26" 8 PPI X-cut Hand Saw Custom Hand Filed

Description

Vintage Disston Hand Saw
No (B.S.) Just Good Saws.
1911 Disston Pocket Catalog
Up for your consideration is a very nice example of a c1900 Disston No.7, 26" 8ppi cross cut full size hand saw. One of Disston's main stays and most likely the oldest model in their production line. This is the saw model that Henry Disston built his reputation on. It was pretty much based on the older English saw design with the beech handle proud of the butt end and a straight back blade with the decorative & controversial "nib" at the point. So if you're in the market for a good cross cut, this is a great example to have in your arsenal.
The lambs tongue style, tight grained beech handle in good solid shape with full chip free horns. The lambs tongue lower projections are chipped which is not unusual on saws that have seen use. This area bumped into the board being cut on the downward stroke. Other than that, there really are no other serious negatives to say about this one as I don't think it saw much abuse.
The blade is straight, has a good crowning breast on the cutting edge and is still very wide considering it's age. It's been lightly cleaned and hand polished to a very good sheen and slick enough to glide through the cut with ease. Oh, by the way, there is a difference in machine and hand polishing. I've been in the machining world most of my life, so I know. I'm not removing any material doing it by hand. Some buffers use a hard felt wheel charged with emery, that can actually spark. Carl Bilderback had one such person that would clean saws for him and he said there were sparks. So don't let someone else bullshit you into believing there isn't a difference between hand and machine work, because there is. It's almost like saying there's no difference between hand and machine filing! There's no serious pitting on this one and it has a pretty good etch on it too. This one will put a smile on your face when you put it to wood!
It's been hand filed with my style of "UNDERCUT", which in my humble opinion, produces a very good combination of edge durability & ease of cutting. The teeth come out with no bevel on the back side which provides more support and strength to the point. This allows me to have more of a bevel on the front cutting edge, producing a smoother and faster cut with good edge retention. I'm going to use the term "UNDERCUT" for the style of filing instead of sloped. Sloped is a more recent term that Steve LaMantia came up with about 1996 on the Old Tools List to describe the Disston pictures, that most people interested in saws, have already seen. I learned of the description of "UNDERCUT" that an old Acme filer instruction booklet used, which I've added pictures of at the bottom of this description. I'm one of those filers that use more than the 4 to 5 degrees that was mentioned. You see, I'm inclined to tell the truth, it's the way I was raised, instead of adding pure bull shit to my descriptions as a marketing ploy, which the poor uninformed individual seems to gobble up on here. I've been around a while and know this information was gleaned from other knowledgeable saw guys and then claimed it as their "OWN" discovery. That my friends, is a solid FACT! If you think it's not true, look at the photos below, of private messages to me, from Woodnet.net back in 2009. Oh yeah, that would be before he learned filing a slope from Bob Smalser. Bottom most pic doesn't look like much of a slope, does it! Hmmmm Filing aid lines too, all from a "Free" hander, no training wheels type of guy, that's been filing since he was around 2 years old. lol
I truly believe my saws won't take a back seat in performance to anyone else's western style saws offered today, regardless of claims being made. I have legitimate reasons for saying this, so you can believe whomever you want on the subject, even a narcissistic, ugly, knuckle head, who picked my brain for info at one time, back when I guess I knew something and he didn't. Or.....you can take the late Carl Bilderback's word (Mr. Wonderful) in the link to a great video below.
I want to reiterate & stress my saws aren't just "Sharpened". I go through a lengthy process of hand tuning these saws to perform at their best. I can honestly say they are likely better than when they left the factory. All of this includes jointing, reshaping the teeth, setting, sharpening, followed by a light side dressing to bring them to a wicked sharp edge. I will guarantee this to be one of the sweetest vintage saws you can buy, period. By the way I didn't come up with the term WICKED SHARP, it was a term given to one of my saws by a past Popular Woodworking editor and this gentleman has used quite a few different saws. Take a look here if you're interested: http://lostartpress.wordpress.com/2010/08/15/sold-cincinnati-saw-company-carcase-saw. I've been offering saws and sharpening for people since 2001. If you'd like to find out a little more about me just google my name, Daryl Weir, and I'm sure you'll find enough information to satisfy yourself about my abilities.
Comeback again & Thanks for taking a look! Be sure to keep and eye out for some more nice saws coming up here in the future.
Are you interested in Old Tools and Tool Collecting? Want to learn more about tools, and meet some great people who have the same interests? Please take a minute to check out he Mid-West Tool Collectors Web Site here: http://www.mwtca.org Thank You.
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A fantastic video of Slav interviewing master carpenter, fellow M-WTCA saw collector & friend, the late Carl Bilderback. You should really watch the whole thing but if you just want to see Carl's comment on my ability to sharpen saws, go to the 28 min. mark. There's only one other person that I had more respect for than Carl, that was my father. Here's the site: https://vimeo.com/106684860 .
A recommendation below from Tom Law was the one I have treasured the most! It was on the Old Tool List back in 2009.
Point of reference about Daryl Weir: When Tom Law quit sharpening, I asked Tom for a recommendation. He said the only guy he could suggest was Daryl. Bear in mind this was a number of years ago before Mike W. entered the scene, but for Tom to make this recommendation says a lot about Daryl Weir. I have never used Daryl, mainly because I used that time as an opportunity to learn to sharpen my own. Never as good as Tom Law, but better than some of the other guys who have been suggested from time to time on internet forums.
Tony Z.
Daryl,
I have never owned a good hand saw, but have made cuts with many, okay, hand saws. My hope was to buy one, professionally sharpened, and immediately experience the difference. Your saw did not disappoint! The first hard wood piece I could find was a scrap of poplar casing, which was no challenge. I cut a 5/4 x 8 piece of maple, and could already appreciate how fine a saw I had.
As a carpenter and contractor, I look for and depend on quality tools. I now have a great hand saw.
Thank you, Vance
Daryl,
I got back in Germany last week, and yes - your saw was here waiting for me. Yesterday was my first day in the "shop" - and I used it for the first time.
They say that a great tool in the hands of an untrained user won't make that user any better.... But, to be honest, I'm not sure that's the case. I made several cuts - and the saw cut like a hot knife through butter and tracked like a laser. I have very limited ability - but this saw turned me into a surgeon.
Thank you for the work you've done - and the service that you provide to all woodworkers.
In your debt, - John
"I have experience with three names mentioned in the post & replies. I highly recommend Daryl Weir and Mark at Bad Axe. Not only do they sharpen and tune saws well, they say what they mean, and do what they say. If they say it will take a week, it will take a week, not two.
I have restored a lot of tools and have hired good help over the years to accomplish the work. There are some who's work was very good, however their word was not... and I waited and waited. Daryl and Mark have great work ethics, and get the work done and out the door with excellent workmanship (you will not be disappointed). Daryl and Mark are also very personable and will take the time to talk to you explaining what they will do and why.
I own quite a few hand saws, I don't use most of them. My favorites I use a lot are old (a Disston backsaw, panel saw; and a Bishop backsaw) and Daryl tuned and sharpened all three of them. There is something in those old saw plates the new ones don't have, I can't explain it, but I can feel it when I cut with them.
Glen Koopmans
"If you want a Saw, it is best to get one with a name on it which has a reputation. A man who has made a reputation for his goods knows its value, as well as its cost, and will maintain it." ----Henry Disston
The motto above is one that I adhere to in every saw that I refurbish. It's been a long road from where I initially started to finally get to where I am. Every saw I sell is one that I would gladly use myself.