Disston D-16?

[Jimmy Harris]

About a year ago I found a Disston D-16. Not a No. 16. But a D-16. The condition is what I would call "fine user". The handle is a bit chewed up and the plate is short, as it was at some point retoothed from an 8TPI to an 11TPI crosscut (I know because it has stamps for both). So I've been using it, because it didn't look like it would be anything of value. And it's a great saw to use.

But the thing is, I've never seen another one come up for sale anywhere and have no idea of it's value. I'd hate to keep using it if it's a super rare and valuable saw. Judging by it's condition, I wouldn't think it could be worth much more than I paid for it. But after a year of occasionally peaking at that auction site and several other places all over the internet, I've never seen any record of another one coming up for sale. So they're at least a little rare.

So am I an idiot for using it? Has anyone else come across one of these before? Is it okay to keep using it, or should put it up on a shelf somewhere and buy another crosscut?

[Mike Henderson]

I have no idea what the saw is worth, but tools were made to be used, not put on a shelf to be looked at. I'd keep using it and let my heirs sort it out.

Mike

[Jim Koepke]

According to the Disstonian Institute, it was a short lived model.

Like Mike my tools are in my shop to be used. For me, if something has great collector value, that is either ignored or the item is sold and a similar item with less collector value is purchased.

One way to find out if there truly is collector value is list it on ebay as "a rare D-16" with a Buy It Now of $700 or so.

If it goes bye bye you could likely buy a very nice saw to replace it.

There might be some fanatic collector crazy enough to jump on it.

jtk