very short backsaw?

A photo would help.

Maybe you are referring to a stair saw? They were used to cut dadoes for staircases, but a lot of woodworkers used them for grooves and dadoes in general too.

-- It's the best woodworking show since the invention of wood... New episodes Wednesdays at: http://www.stumpynubs.com

Have a pic? This sounds like a dovetail saw. Is it Japanese?

-- 'The lyf so short, the craft so long to lerne.' - Chaucer

Great idea for practicing sharpening. A special purpose tool most likely. Stumpy, now that is one cool tool. Worth just hanging up in the shop to admire.

-- Backer boards, stop blocks, build oversized, and never buy a hand plane--

I can’t resist. Cut Wood?

-- Bill - If I knew GRANDKIDS were so much fun I would have had them first.

It’s not that uncommon…I’ve seen them before…I just see no advantages to this saw shape over one that is a bit longer.

Pic here: (example only…mine is not a diston)

-- I'm strictly hand-tool only...unless the power tool is faster and easier!

Can I have it if you’re unhappy?
Bill

-- bill@magraphics.us

It’s used for cutting dovetails as well as small tenons. Mostly, these were named and used for dovetails. If anyone doesn’t want theirs, just send them to me.

-- Gary Roberts, http://toolemera.com

Dovetails.