Keystone Hand Saws

Of all the questions that I receive on my website about various hand saw models, none are more prolific than questions about the Keystone line of handsaws that Disston marketed in the 1930s. This article will serve to provide insight into this relatively obscure line and discuss the features of each saw.

The table below provides a snapshot of the complete Keystone Hand Saw line.

A few notes about the table. All dates were derived from original catalogs. I was fortunate to have an introduction flyer included with a full line 1933 catalog dated June 19, 1933, introducing the complete Keystone line to the Hardware Store Dealer. It is safe to assume that the date of introduction must be very close to that date. The KI, K3, and K5 saws appeared in the full line catalog printed in 1940, but were not in a catalog that dates to 1953. By that reasoning, I know that those three saws were dropped at some time during that time period. I would speculate that they were dropped when the entire Disston line was narrowed at the start of World War II.

Model #	Model	Begin Manufacture	End Manufacture	Lengths Offered	Pitches Offered*	Blade	Price in 1934 $
K1	Leader	June 1933	1941-1952	26″ only	8 cc	Straight	0.85
K2	Speedster	June 1933	1953	26″ only	8 cc	Skew	1.15
K3	Pacemaker	June 1933	1941-1952	20″ 22″ 24″ 26″	9,10 cc 9,10 cc 7,8,9 cc 7,8 cc; 5 1/2 r	Skew	1.50
K4	Airmaster	June 1933	1953	26″ only	7,8 cc; 5 1/2 r	Skew	1.75
K5	Defender	June 1933	1941-1952	16″ 20″ 26″	10 cc 9 cc 7,8 cc; 5 1/2 r	Skew	2.00
K6	Challenger	June 1933	1953	20″ 22″ 24″ 26″	10 cc 10 cc 8,9 cc 7,8,9,10 cc; 5 1/2,6 r	Skew	2.25
K6 1/2	Challenger	June 1933	1953	24″ 26″	8,9 cc 7,8,9,10 cc; 5 1/2,6 r	Straight	2.25

*cc = cross cut; r = rip

A few comments about each saw follow.

K-1: Leader. The cheapest of the line. Advertised with a stained hardwood handle and three rivets only (not screws). Showing the etch of a jockey on a horse, the saw had a straight back blade, lightweight width. Handle not fully carved and “block like” in appearance. Not common when compared to the rest of the line.

K-2: Speedster. Advertised with a carved hardwood handle, stained cherry color, complete with four nickel-plated screws. Showing the etch of a car, the saw had a skew-backed blade, lightweight width. Commonly observed.

K-3: Pace Maker. Advertised with a carved hardwood handle, stained mahogany color, complete with four nickel-plated screws (three on panel lengths). Showing the etch of two running men, the saw had a skew-backed blade, light-weight width. Commonly observed in all lengths.

K-4: Air Master. Advertised with a carved hardwood handle, gun metal color, complete with four nickel-plated screws. Described to come with a thin back, teeth bevel-filed. I have observed the entire line, and while they are all taper ground, the previous three saws have less taper from cutting edge to the back. I have not observed saws with teeth that have not been filed by the owner. However, from the description, I assume that the KI-K3 models, while having crosscut profile teeth, did not have fleam like regular crosscut saws. Considering the inexpensive price, this is not an unreasonable assumption. Showing the etch of a small airplane, the saw had a skew-backed blade, lightweight width. Commonly observed.

K-5: Defender. Advertised with a carved, hardwood handle, light brown color, complete with five nickel-plated screws (four or three on panel lengths). Same thin back and bevel-filed teeth as the K-4. Showing the etch of two men seated in a cruiser, the saw had a skew-backed blade, lightweight width. Commonly observed in the 26-inch length, less common in the panel lengths.

K-6: Challenger. The most full featured and high quality of the line. Advertised with a carved, hardwood handle, light brown color, complete with five nickel-plated screws (four on panel lengths). Same thin back and bevel-filed teeth as the K-4 and K-5; however, also advertised with highly polished blade. Showing the etch of a speedboat, the saw had a skew-backed blade, regular width. Commonly observed in all lengths.

K-6 1/2: Challenger. Same as the K-6, only with a straight back and lightweight width blade.

Finally, because everyone always wants to know what saws are worth, I’ll mention it here: not much. Even though they are often found in pristine shape, they just don’t command big prices at auctions or other venues. Average price is usually about $15, although I think I recall one selling new and in the box at auction for $40. Well, I hope this “quick and dirty” article sheds some light on perhaps a relatively obscure but very common line of Disston hand saws. Most are very surprised to find that the saws have been around for almost 70 years. In fact, they were out of production even before the company was sold off to HK Porter in 1955.