A Disston No. 4 back saw from Pete Taran's collection. It's 12 inches long and filed crosscut at 14 PPI, with a good etch and some of the factory bluing still on the back. There's no movement between the handle and the plate, and I sharpened it so it's ready to cut.
At a glance
| Maker | Disston |
| Model | No. 4 back saw |
| Approximate era | ca. 1917–1940 |
| Length | 12 inches |
| Plate | 2-15/16" depth of cut at both heel and toe, straight |
| Points per inch | 14, crosscut |
| Medallion | DISSTON, ca. 1917–1940 |
| Etch | Good |
| 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 etch is good. Some of the original factory bluing is still on the back. The handle is tight — there's no movement between the handle 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.
Who this saw is for
A woodworker who wants a 12-inch back saw for fine crosscut joinery — shoulder lines, small tenons, and case work — or a collector who wants a Disston No. 4. It's filed crosscut at 14 PPI, so it's not the saw for ripping.
Questions about this saw? Email me at aaron@benchandchisel.com — I answer them all.
— Aaron, Bench & Chisel
