Older hand saw... a question

I have never seen this, do you have a pix?

It’s called a nib. and it apparently has no purpose whatsoever other than tradition.

-- Scott - Chico California http://chicowoodnut.home.comcast.net

Cool….thanks Scott

Although it is considered decorative by many it does have a use. It is used to start the initial cut. You turn the saw backside down and just nick into the edge of the board. This will give one the start so the saw blade will not jump around on the first cuts entering the board.

Here is a link that shows the history of Disston nibs http://www.disstonianinstitute.com/nibpage.html

-- Oldworld, Fair Oaks, Ca

Here is a saw glossary.
http://www.disstonianinstitute.com/glossary.html

-- waroland, Mount Juliet, TN

http://www.disstonianinstitute.com/glossary.html is an excelent resorce for in fo on hand saws. I have it saved to my favorites list. I have a stack of old disston hand saws that I am restoring in my spare time when I have nothing else to do.

-- 10 in 9 1/2 out the otherside. watch them finger eating tablesaws

Ha! They almost got me on that one John.

-- Scott - Chico California http://chicowoodnut.home.comcast.net

I have an old Disston with a nib. I just use it to scratch the itchy spots in the center of my back!

-- Check out my blog and podcast "The Renaissance Woodworker" at www.rogersfinewoodworking.com/blog