This 12-inch Disston No. 4 came out of Pete Taran's collection, and it sits right at a turning point in Disston's history. Made around 1876–1877, it's one of the first Disston saws built with domed saw nuts instead of the older split nuts. The handle is tight to the plate with no movement, and I filed it 16 PPI rip for dovetails.
At a glance
| Maker | Disston |
| Model | No. 4 backsaw |
| Approximate era | ca. 1876–1877 |
| Length | 12 inches |
| Depth of cut | 2-9/16" at the toe, 2-5/8" at the heel |
| Points per inch | 16, rip |
| Hardware | Early domed saw nuts |
| Provenance | Pete Taran's collection |
| Sharpened by Aaron | Yes — ready to cut |
What I did to it
- Disassembled and inspected. Every part came off the saw and was checked before cleaning.
- Cleaned to preserve character. Handle and hardware were cleaned in a way that keeps the saw's age visible — no over-polishing.
- Plate cleaned. Cleaned properly while preserving the etch.
- Jointed and shaped. Toothline jointed and refiled for rip work.
- Sharpened to 10° rake, 0° fleam.
- Set. Minimum set applied — just enough to let the plate glide in the kerf without binding.
Honest condition
There's a little micro pitting — see the photos. It doesn't affect how the saw cuts. The lamb's tongue has a chip. The handle is solid with no movement between it and the plate.
About Disston
Henry Disston founded the company in Philadelphia in 1840, and by the late 1800s Disston was the largest saw maker in the world. Disston saws were the standard against which every other maker was measured for nearly a century. Disston patented its domed saw nut on August 29, 1876, replacing the split nuts used before it — which puts this saw among the first to carry the new hardware.
Who this saw is for
A woodworker who needs a dovetail saw. At 16 PPI rip with just over 2-1/2" under the back, it's sized for cutting dovetails in drawer sides and case work. It also suits a buyer who wants a working saw with a documented place in Disston's history.
Questions about this saw? Email me at aaron@benchandchisel.com — I answer them all.
— Aaron, Bench & Chisel