Disston saw

[Philip Davies]

A story about this old Disston Philadelphia saw.

It was donated to be sent to Africa. As you can see, it has already had at least one career’s use, since at least two inches is missing off the end. As with many worn out tools, it was scheduled for disposal. I looked at it and thought, “I shall just sharpen it one more time”. (I understand that Disstons are still desirable)
So I filed every other tooth down one side, as you do, all going smoothly, then flipped it over to file the reflexive way (if you don’t do this, think of cutting mitres on architrave above a door, you have to go from right to left). Then, on the first tooth, it stuck! Had I mistaken the gullet for one I’d just done? No! So, continuing, it was a nasty grating process, all the way along. Now I had a good, small Disston to put in my tool bag, without it snagging on stuff.
Which meant, I suppose, that the previous owner had never really understood the correct method. So, perhaps for his whole career, he had always tended to drift from the marked line! And it had always seemed a bit blunt.
I think that’s rather sad.
With this forum, at least that is less likely to happen.
Except you can buy jack saws at discounted prices, three at a time.