A Disston No. 4 back saw from Pete Taran's collection. It's 12 inches long and filed crosscut at 14 PPI. I sharpened it, so it's ready to cut. There's some micro pitting on the plate near the toe, some paint splatter on the handle and no etch; see details below.
At a glance
| Maker | Disston |
| Model | No. 4 back saw |
| Approximate era | ca. 1896–1917 |
| Length | 12 inches |
| Plate | 2-13/16" depth of cut at both heel and toe, straight |
| Points per inch | 14, crosscut |
| Medallion | Keystone, "H. DISSTON & SONS," ca. 1896–1917 |
| 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
There's some micro pitting on the side of the plate at the toe. The plate still feels smooth. The handle is tight — there's no movement between the handle and the plate.
The etch has worn off from use.
There's some paint splatter on the handle. I left it on purpose. It's part of the saw's patina and gives it character.
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.
Who this saw is for
A woodworker who wants a nice, clean, quality vintage back saw for joinery work, sharpened and ready to use.
Questions about this saw? Email me at aaron@benchandchisel.com — I answer them all.
— Aaron, Bench & Chisel
