D23

In the early part of the 20th Century, Disston began to experiment with making a lighter weight saw that could be used all day without fatigue. They had ship point saws in several models, including the #7 and D100 (learn more). As these lighter saws gained popularity, Disston decided to release a whole new line of saws which would capitalize on this idea.

First advertised in the 1911 full line catalog (insert at right), the D20 series, as I call it, consisted of four models. The D20 was a light weight skewback, the D21 was a full width skewback, the D22 was a full width straight-back, and finally the D23 which was a light weight straight-back.

All were slightly more costly than the comparable D8, and were considered an upgrade, costing about $2.50 more per dozen than the same sized D8. All the models were produced for a time, with the D21 and D22 being phased out around 1924. No doubt there was little draw for these saws, as they were very similar in size and feel to a D8 and #16. The D20 was next to vanish in the redesign of the Disston line in 1928. Only the D23 remained, and was made right up until 1990. The D23 was very popular as it was light, easy to handle and reduced the fatigue associated with wielding a full sized saw all day. It is interesting to note that the D23, which was the only saw in the line which made it out of the 1920s was not duplicated anywhere else in the Disston line up to that point. The D20 was nearly identical to the D100 Ship Carpenter’s Saw, no doubt the reason for it being dropped from the line.Not surprisingly, all the D20 series, save the D23, are quite rare. In addition, early D23 saws are rarer still. Not many examples survive of the early handle which was made during the short 17 year period before the complete line was redesigned in 1928. There are essentially two types of early handle. The first model has a notch on the top of the handle. These are extremely rare and are seldom seen. I estimate that they were only made a few years starting in 1911. You can see an example of one in the saw museum here. The second type is essentially the same as the first, without the embellishment at the top of the handle. I also believe that the wheat carving is slightly more coarse than it’s earlier cousin and the handle cutout is more elliptical. Saws with handles like this turn up more often than the first type, but are not at all common. I’d estimate in 100 D20 series saws, 95 are the third more common type dating after 1928, 4 are of the second type and only 1 would be from the earliest period of production. You can compare the saws below with the second model D23s which you can see in the museum.