Disston 120

Re: Disston 120

Todd Hughes


>In my experance these are very uncommon saws, one of the best saws that Disston ever made they were a specialty saw that supposedly gave a very smooth cut. In dry wood theye were warrented to be able to cut with out having any set. A very nice saw that wasn't made after the 1920s if I remember right.

...In the condition you describe this is a BIG buck saw, I would think if I sold it on the ebay I would get at least $300 and maybe over $400 for it. Even one in only Very Good condition probably $100 plus. I just sold a no. 112 with no etch for $115 [paid $3] and I feel the 120 to be a more desirable saw........Todd

Re: Disston 120

ernie miller


>We will give it a spinn on sunday and see where it flies

Re: Disston 120

Ernie Miller


>here is a quick picture of the saw my good camera has a dead battery? how did the cable get unhooked from the dock? no chips in the horns or on any of the wood. just a couple thin spots on the plating not as bad as it looks.

Re: Disston 120

Ernie Miller


>This is a picture of the etch I never can get a pecture of an etch but this one is so strong. it came out with my cheap camera. I might have to send pictures of this saw to the Distonian.

uhmmmm...

Todd Hughes


>I don't think that is a 120 but instead is a D 20. Are you sure is says 120? Should also say ACME over top the 120 too I think. The 120 has a completely different shaped handle more like a no. 8 while the 20 has this set down type handle like a common D 23 saw and was part of the series of saws, 20,21, 22, and 23 that used it.

... I don't see many 20s but they are worth much less then a 120. Personaly I like the 20 line of saws to use but in my experance not very popular on the resale market. That hole in the end don't look very big but it will after you sell it....Sorry for the bad news , still a pretty clean and uncommon saw....Todd

Re: uhmmmm...

Ernie Miller


>Yes it asys Acme 120 right in the etch. The hole looks factory but it could be user I guess. I'll get a better picture tonight when My Nikon is charged.

Re: uhmmmm...

dave caudill


>I have a # 120 and I agree with Todd that it has a very different handle shape and has a lot of wheat carving on it. I bought mine for $4 but it is in no way close to the condition yours is in. I sent it to Tom Law to look at and he was surprised as he has seen very few of these. Now another possibility is that you got a mis-marked saw which I have never seen. If that were the case you just may have an even more valuable saw as I don't think that is very common at all.

Or a bummer possibility is that someone put a handle from a 20 series saw on this one. I'm not sure whether or not that is even possible but its amazing what folks do to perfectly good tools.

Let us know I'm really curious now.

Dave

Re: uhmmmm...

Ernie Miller


>if you look at the etch it has the regular stuff in script to the right of the keystone and then the long list of stuff about being a hard steel and do not try and set the teeth or they will break. The medallion dates it to 1896-1917 the handle I can not find one like it in the Distonian any where. it looks more like an Atkins to me? Must be factory ordered or something.

Re: uhmmmm...

Ernie Miller


>Just went thru the Distonian again and the only one that has 4 saw nuts is the pannel saw. I'm thinking it was a special order saw or something. I will list it as Rare! The hole in the tip looks to be factory also as there is no buring or changes in the finish around it. I'm not taking the handle off to see if it was added later or original.

Re: uhmmmm...

Todd Hughes


>I am willing to bet that the handle is a replacement, doesn't look at all like any 120 handle I have ever seen and doesn't look like a handle from 1917 but newer.Everything I have said 120s were stoped being made in the mid 1920s , some Disston quality saws like the D95 handles did change over time.

... While the handle Does resemble those used on the 20 series saws I looked close and I see doesn't have any carving so I don't know about that.Might not even be a Disston.I'd take it off and have a look as that will tell you alot more then just guessing and can be done in a few min.

I think any talk about a special order saw and stuff is definatly looking for a zebra when you see a horse track ,.....Todd

Re: uhmmmm...

Ernie Miller


>Arent you suposed to be painting the shed? Guess I will take it off and have a looks see. No carving on the handle. looks dark loke walnut but could be a dark apple I guess.

Re: uhmmmm...

Ernie Miller


>SO if it looks like a Zebra and smells like a Zebra it is probably a horse with a striped blanket on. I took off the handle and this is what I saw it is deffinatly walnut handle easy to tell where there is no finish under the nut. I think it is a copy of an Atkins ships saw handle could be worng have been so far. I think it's possable the blade may have been shortened if you look real close I can seeabout 1/4" of the handle where the top nut is and about a 1/4 inch where the arch would have been at the medallion I guess the saw could have been cut down and a new handle put on? it is 24 inch blade and 27 inches over all. The handle don't look home made if it is some one did one hell of a job. Enough things lead me to think it is not original but it sure is a pretty saw. I still don't want to call it a frankinsaw.

Re: uhmmmm...

dave caudill


>I'm guessing someone either broke the handle or didn't like the one that was on it and did some "customizing". I can't imagine not liking the original as opposed to the boxy look of the one thats on it. I also have never seen the handle end of a disston saw with that many angles on it. I'm thinking someone not only changed the handle but did some cutting before they fit it. I'm goign to have to go home and look a mine now and see how its put together. I'll let you know.

Dave