A Disston No. 4 back saw from Pete Taran's collection. It's 12 inches long, filed crosscut at 14 PPI, with an excellent etch. I sharpened it, so it's ready to cut. One tooth at the toe is short; details below.
At a glance
| Maker | Disston |
| Model | No. 4 back saw |
| Approximate era | ca. 1917–1940, likely the later part of that range based on the etch and handle shape |
| Length | 12 inches |
| Plate | 3" depth of cut at both heel and toe, straight |
| Points per inch | 14, crosscut |
| Medallion | DISSTON, ca. 1917–1940 |
| Etch | Excellent |
| 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
One tooth at the toe is shorter than the rest. It will grow back to full length with subsequent sharpening. It won't effect use. The etch is excellent.
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 Disston-quality back saw at an affordable price, sharpened and ready to use for joinery work.
Questions about this saw? Email me at aaron@benchandchisel.com — I answer them all.
— Aaron, Bench & Chisel
