Disston-Keystone Hand Saws

The No. 5 Disston-Keystone Hand Saws were introduced in 1931 to meet the demand for good hand saws at low prices. In style, design, appearance and price they have proved to be what a large portion of the buying public wants today.

Hundreds of thousands of consumers -- farmers, householders, apartment dwellers and others—use saws only occasionally. They do not require saws of the quality and prices of “The Saw Most Carpenters Use”, but they do want low priced saws that cut well and hold a keen edge.

So Disston produced tile No. 5 Disston-Keystone Hand Saws, which are unique in design, finish, and value. In steel, in temper, and in workmanship they are worthy of the Disston name, which is etched on every blade.

No. 5 Disston-Keystone Hand Saws are the first saws made with handles in colors orange and black. They have colored decalcomanias on the blade. They are etched “Disston-Keystone”, with a figure of a handy man using a saw.

To make saws of a quality worthy to bear the Disston name, at the lowest prices possible, it was necessary to concentrate production on the fewest possible sizes, styles and points and to make these in tremendous quantities tens of thousands flowing through the factory in a steady stream. It was found that most consumers’ needs could be met with saws of three sizes: 16-inch, ideal for hundreds of small jobs; 20-inch, for all-around work where a heavier full-length saw is not required, and the 26-inch, standard length, for general use.

Because the demands for modern sawing are best met with lightweight saws, the No. 5 Disston-Keystone Hand Saws are produced in lightweight patterns only, with skew backs. To give the consumer the most useful points in each length, they are made 16-inch, 10 point cross-cut; 20-inch, 9 point cross-cut; 26-inch, 8 point cross-cut and 5 1/2 point rip.

By producing in tremendous quantities these three sizes, in the most needed points only, it was found possible to sell Disston-Keystone Hand Saws at prices which consumers find most attractive: $1 for the 16-inch; $1.50 for the 20-inch, and $2 for the 26-inch.

Consumers who want low price combined with quality realize at once that tile Disston name on the blade is a guarantee of quality. They realize that it is to their advantage to buy a low priced saw made of Disston steel, with Disston workmanship and finish, rather than to buy, at the same price, or less, a saw of an unknown make or of a brand with which they are not familiar.

The striking appearance of No. 5 Disston-Keystone Hand Saws attracts favorable attention instantly. Consumers like color. Consumers realize that the beautiful appearance, and the prestige of the Disston name on the blade, at prices as low as $1, $1.50 and $2, present a combination that cannot be equalled for value.

The 26-inch No. 5 Disston-Keystone Hand Saw is designed to serve farmers, householders, and others who want saws of Disston steel, with the Disston temper, at a moderate price. This saw is adapted for all-around work.

Skew-back blade, striped, lightweight pattern, highly polished and decorated with orange and black decalcomania. Hardwood handle lacquered orange and black, in a striking two-color effect. Four nickel-plated screws, one a medallion.

Skew-back, highly polished blade, with striped back, decalcomania in orange and black. Lightweight pattern. Disston steel and temper. Hardwood handle lacquered in orange and black. Three nickel-plated screws.

The 20-inch No. 5 Disston-Keystone Hand Saw is preferred by many who want a smaller saw than the 26-inch standard size. It is a popular size for short tool boxes and for the many odd jobs to be done around the home and farm.

Skew-back, highly polished lightweight blade, with striped back; Disston steel, with the Disston temper. Orange and black decalcomania on blade. Hardwood handle, lacquered in orange and black; three nickel-plated screws.

The user of a standard length (26-inch) saw will also find the 16-inch saw, designed for light work, convenient for fine cutting, for cabinet work, and many other jobs around the home, apartment or farm. It meets the needs of many who have been buying compass saws or other small saws to do the work that could be done more readily with a hand saw.

Length of Blade	Points In. Cross-cut	Weight per doz.	Price per doz.
16 inches	10	9 lbs.	$12.00

Packed 1/2 dozen in box.

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Also from 1932 catalog:

705  Blade high polished thin back. Handle, walnut stained, polished, with double spray carving; brass screws. 710   Ship pattern, high polished thin back. Walnut stained, polished, with double spray carving; brass screws.
Packed 1/3 dozen in box.	Length of Blade Points In. Cross-cut Points In. Rip Weight per doz. Price per doz. 705 20 9, 10   14 lbs. $20.00 22 9, 10   16 lbs. $21.00 24 8, 9   19 lbs. $22.00 26 7,8 5½, 6 24½ lbs. $23.10 710 24 8, 9   18 lbs. $22.00 26 7, 8 5½, 6 22 lbs. $23.10

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