Online Reference of Disston Saws -- No. 77 Models

No. 77 Handsaw

...For Mechanics, Not Botchers

One of the rarest saws that Disston made for many years is the No. 77 handsaw and backsaw. The handsaw was a extra-taper ground saw that could be used without any set on the teeth, resulting in a very narrow kerf and a cut so clean it would not to need a shooting plane to finish the task. The No. 77 backsaw was different from other backsaws in the way it was filed. This particular specimen looks like it was put into a toolbox in 1898 and not taken out until last week.

The No. 77 featured an applewood handle and a polished extra London spring steel blade, a grade not given to other saws. The No. 12 saw was London spring steel, the No. 99, D-15, and D-115 were extra refined London spring steel. I think it was mostly advertising hype and have tried to back that opinion with research. The blade was extra-tapered in a way similar to the more popular Acme 120 handsaw. However the two saws were not filed the same way, taking a different approach to cross-cutting cabinet-grade wood neatly.

The decal appeared on Disston saws throughout the 1890's, and perhaps a little longer. It was a warning that other manufacturers tried to copy Disston's products. It appeared immediately after Disston bought the worst offender, Richardson Brothers, and three other companies * in 1890, forming the National Saw Company, which puttered along for a short period of years until Disston closed that operation.

*- Wheeler, Madden & Clemson; Woodrough & McParlin; and Harvey W. Pearce Co.

This is the No. 77 handsaw, looking much like a No. 7 handsaw. The late model No. 77 had a handle that was less ornate in its shape. This was shortly before it was dropped from production, roughly 1920. It appears in the 1918 catalog, but not in the 1923. An illustration of the later saw handle can be seen in the catalog reproductions at the bottom of this page.

The teeth of the No. 77 saw had an unusual filing. Unlike most crosscut handsaws, which have a bevel on the teeth between 15 and 24 degrees, the No. 77's bevel was 45 degrees. That is the angle between an imaginary line perpendicular to the saw blade and the plane of the saw tooth. The teeth had no set, and the 45 degree bevel was meant to cut wood in a way that saw dust would fall easily from the teeth and keep the path clear for the blade to continue cutting. The rip tooth version of the saw had a five degree bevel; a typical rip saw is zero bevel.

The No. 77 backsaw also had the 45 degree bevel tooth filing. The handle was slightly different from the typical Disston backsaw's. The No. 77 backsaw's handle is to the left, a No. 4 backsaw's is shown below it. Both saws have 12-inch blades.

It was not a big seller, so they don't turn up often now. The real draw for collectors is the etch. The phrase "for mechanics, not botchers" may have been meant as an ego boost for the user in 1876, but most tool-collecting woodworkers picking up the saw today would be more self-effacing and identify themselves botchers. No. 77 backsaw etch

No. 77 backsaw handle photo courtesy of Ray Gardiner and his backsaw.net website.

No. 77 backsaw handle
No. 4 backsaw handle

Information taken from Disston 1876 catalog:

HAND AND BACK SAWS

For fine Cabinet Work, sawing Mitres, and in all instances where rapid and smooth cutting is required, this Saw is particularly adapted. The use of a shooting plane and board can be dispensed with where the Saw is used, as it will cut a joint sufficiently smooth to glue without planing. In sharpening this saw, care must be taken to file the Teeth the same angle as they are when they leave the factory.

1876 catalog illustration
No. 77. Hand Saw, Disston & Sons' Mechanic's Own, to run without set.

	26 in.	28 in.
Price	$34.00	$39.00

per dozen.

1876 catalog illustration
No. 77. Back Saw, Disston & Sons' Mechanic's Own, to run without set.

	8 in.	10 in.	12 in.	14 in.	16 in.	18 in.
Price	$17.00	$18.00	$22.50	$15.50	$29.00	$32.50

per dozen.

Information taken from Disston 1890 publication,
The Saw: How to Use It, How to Keep It in Order:

1876 catalog illustration
No. 77. Back Saw, Disston & Sons' Mechanic's Own.
To run without set.

8 10 12 14 16 inches.

$16.00 18.00 20.00 22.00 25.00 per dozen.

18 20 22 24 26 inches.

$28.00 31.00 34.00 37.00 40.00 per dozen.

Information taken from Disston 1911 catalog:

DISSTON, No. 77
1911 catalog illustration
No. 77. Extra London Spring Steel Blade, Warranted, Apple Handle, Polished, 4 Brass Screws.

   16   18   20   22   24   26   28   30 inches.

$17.50 19.00 20.00 22.00 24.00 25.00 29.00 33.00 per dozen.


NOTE:  The No. 77 and No. 120 Saws are particularly adapted for fine cabinet work, sawing mitres, and in all instances where rapid and smooth cutting is required. The use of a shooting plane and board can be dispensed with, and they will cut a joint sufficiently smooth to glue without planing. In sharpening, care must be taken to file the teeth at the same angle as they are when they leave the factory. Use a 4½-inch regular taper file for the No. 77 Saw. These Saws are warranted to run without set in dry, seasoned lumber only, and are not for general use. They are high in temper, specially ground for clearance and require no set.
Packed one-third dozen in box.

"MECHANICS' OWN" BACK SAW, No. 77
TO RUN WITHOUT SET
1911 catalog illustration

8	10	12	14	16	inches.
$16.00	18.00	20.00	22.00	25.00	per dozen.

18	20	22	24	26	inches.
$28.00	31.00	34.00	37.00	40.00	per dozen.

Information taken from Disston 1914 catalog:

BACK SAWS
CRUCIBLE STEEL
"MECHANICS' OWN" BACK SAW, No. 77
TO RUN WITHOUT SET
1911 catalog illustration

These Saws are particularly adapted for fine cabinet work, sawing mitres, and where rapid and smooth cutting is required, the use of a plane can be dispensed with, as they will cut a joint sufficiently smooth to glue without planing. Regularly made 8 points to the inch, except for about 1¼" at the front where the teeth are 12 points to the inch. In filing use a 4½" slim taper file.

8	10	12	14	16	inches.
$16.00	18.00	20.00	22.00	25.00	per dozen.

18	20	22	24	26	inches.
$28.00	31.00	34.00	37.00	40.00	per dozen.

Information taken from Disston 1918 catalog:

DISSTON, No. 77
For use in Dry, Seasoned Lumber only

No. 77. Extra London Spring Steel Blade, Warranted, Apple Handle, Polished, 4 Brass Screws.

16	18	20	22	24	26	28	30	inches.
$17.50	19.00	20.00	22.00	24.00	25.00	29.00	33.00	per dozen.

NOTE: The No. 77 is particularly adapted for fine cabinet work, sawing mitres, and in all instances where rapid and smooth cutting is required. The use of a plane can be dispensed with, as they will cut a joint sufficiently smooth to glue without planing. In sharpening, care must be taken to file the teeth at the same angle as they are when they leave the factory. Use a 4½-inch regular taper file. These Saws are warranted to run without set in dry, seasoned lumber only, and are not for general use. They are high in temper, specially ground for clearance and require no set.

Made with Cross-cut or Rip Teeth at the same price
For number of screws in Disston Saws, see page 163

Packed one-third dozen in box.

BACK SAWS
CRUCIBLE STEEL
"MECHANICS' OWN" BACK SAW, No. 77
TO RUN WITHOUT SET
1918 catalog illustration

8	10	12	14	16	inches.
$16.00	18.00	20.00	22.00	25.00	per dozen.

18	20	22	24	26	inches.
$28.00	31.00	34.00	37.00	40.00	per dozen.

The same information about the No. 77 backsaw appears in the 1918 third edition catalog (published 1923). However the No. 77 handsaw is not shown.

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