This D-100 came out of Pete Taran's personal collection — a saw he set aside over his decades of collecting because it was worth bringing back. D-100s are far less common than the D-8, and this one shows why it's worth seeking out: a genuinely gorgeous carved apple handle, a strong etch, and it's ready to work.
At a glance
| Maker | Disston, Philadelphia |
| Model | D-100 |
| Approximate era | ca. 1917–1923 |
| Length | 26 inches |
| Plate | 7" at the heel, 2-3/4" at the toe |
| Points per inch | 8, crosscut |
| Handle | Carved apple, excellent condition |
| Medallion | Disston medallion, consistent with 1917–1940 production; combined with the D-100's 1899–1923 production run, this example dates to ca. 1917–1923 |
| Etch | Strong and legible |
| 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 crosscut work.
- Sharpened to 15° rake, 20° fleam. Standard general-use crosscut geometry.
- Set. Minimum set applied — just enough to let the plate glide in the kerf without binding.
Honest condition
The plate has the usual staining you'd expect on a saw this age — cosmetic, doesn't affect the cut. No other issues. The handle is in absolutely gorgeous condition. The etch is strong.
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 — the standard every other maker was measured against. The D-100 was produced only from 1899 to 1923, a much shorter run than the D-8, which is a big part of why it's harder to find today.
Who this saw is for
Good as a user in the shop or as a piece for a collection — a genuine, less-common Disston model with a striking handle and a plate that's sharpened and ready to cut.
Questions about this saw? Email me at aaron@benchandchisel.com — I answer them all.
— Aaron, Bench & Chisel
