No. 8 Handsaws

The No. 8 handsaw was sold from the 1840's until about 1918-23. The saw looks like a No. 7 with an applewood handle, instead of beech, and the blade is Spring steel with a "grained" finish. A grained finish was done with the grinding stones that tapered the blades. Saws like the No. 12 and D-23 were polished after grinding, resulting in a shiny blade. Most saws were not polished, including the No. 8.

This example of the No. 8 was manufactured between 1865 and 1871. Disston saws from the mid to late 1860's sometimes have a combination of a blade stamped Henry Disston with a H. Disston and Son medallion or an etched Henry Disston and Son blade with an eagle medallion. The existing stock of blades and medallions was probably used up before the newer ones were introduced. This saw has both of the newer features, so may date close to 1870.

This is a No. 8 handsaw from the 1840's, the time when Henry Disston worked with one apprentice in a 400 square foot room. It is not factory work, but the labor of an individual. The detail and skillful execution of the handle is remarkable. Saws from several makers in that decade feature the blank disk instead of a medallion or "label screw", as some collectors call them.