This is a New Zealand saw fitting shop. Mr. Fraser surely seems to have a pretty complete assortment, and it is interesting to note from his letter that Disston Saws are in almost universal use in New Zealand.
Henry Disston & Sons, Inc., 238 St. Asaph St.,
Philadelphia, Pa. Christchurch, N.Z.
Gentlemen:
I have forwarded you a photo which no doubt will be of interest, being a saw repair shop in New Zealand, and shows that over ninety per cent. of the saws in use here are Disstons, and with my sixteen years experience as a saw expert, with Mr. S. Frasee, whose photo is shown, but now has returned after over fifty years both working and repairing saws.
We are both of the same opinion that Disston Saws excel all others.
Wishing you continuous success, I remain,
Yours, etc.
Robert J. Fraser.
The Disston Crucible – May 1916
Mr. Jos. M. Lushbaugh built a concrete mold and unfortunately placed a nail right where he wanted to saw the mold in two. He couldn’t get it out without ruining the work and he couldn’t—
But he tells us all about it in his letter.
Messrs. Henry Disston & Sons, Inc.
Philadelphia, Pa.
Gentlemen:
I am sending a nail that I think will be of interest to you when I explain its present condition. This nail was driven by mistake in a part of a cast concrete pattern I was making which was to be sawed in two parts just where this nail was. It was impossible to remove the nail when I struck it with my saw without ruining my job, so nothing remained for me to do but just saw right through it, which I did in less than a minute. I thought my saw was ruined, but I used it the rest of the day without filing.
The saw I was using was a skew-back, ship carpenter’s saw, D-100 grade, ten points to the inch, made by your company. No reasonable amount could purchase this saw, as I consider it perfect in quality of material and workmanship.
Do you make this saw in straight-back pattern, twelve points to the inch, and if so at what price would you mail me one? The dealers here are featuring other makes and don’t seem inclined to order any other make for me after this proof of the superior tools your company make.
I am,
Very respectfully,
Joseph M. Lushbaugh,
852 Middlebrook Ave.,
Staunton, Va.
The Disston Crucible – September, 1916
—Jeff Burks
In case somebody asks—Lushbaugh’s pattern was made of wood. He was not sawing concrete with a handsaw…
Is it really a good thing tha 90 percent of the saws at the repair shop were Disstons? If I were Henry Disston, I would rather have the failed 90 percent be from another manufacturer.
It looks like miter box saws were the most popular, doesn’t it?
Unless the use of “repair” meant sharpening, I agree 100%.
I understood the pattern to be made of Lushbaugh, the nail of mold, and the carpenter’s head made of wood. Either way, I’m moving to NZ.
I have a 1940 Disston.
I bought it from Mr. Jim Law upon your suggestion, and I couldn’t be happier with it.
Thanks Chris.