Disston D8 26-inch Rip Saw — Vintage Workhorse!

Disston 26” Walnut Professional Rip Saw
A classic Disston 26-inch rip saw with a carved American black walnut handle and HSS taper-ground blade—appeals strongly to collectors. experienced woodworkers and fans of traditional tools.
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Specifications

Specification
Details
Blade Length
26 in (66 cm), long reach for cutting wide boards and long rip cuts.
TPI/PPI
4.5 TPI (listed). 10 TPI also appears in the info; option unclear. 4.5 TPI gives fast, aggressive rip cuts; 10 TPI would be finer. [Unclear]
Blade Material
High Speed Steel (HSS), durable and holds an edge; taper-ground to reduce friction and binding.
Handle Type and Material
Custom carved American Black Walnut handle, durable and comfortable for controlled cuts.
Tooth Rake Angle
[Missing data] 5°-8° typical,
Blade Thickness
[Missing data] Approximately 0.032-0.035 inches (0.81–0.89 mm) (standard for 4.5 TPI rip saws)
Kerf Width
[Missing data] Typical for Rip Saws: 0.045 inch (1.143 mm)

The Good

  • High Quality: Well known brand and a high-end price translate to high-quality.
  • Heritage:: Clear vintage appeal and pride of ownership, making it desirable for collectors or anyone who likes traditional tools.
  • Satisfaction:: Being a vintage saw, it gives strong personal enjoyment, indicating the saw delivers emotional value for woodworkers beyond simple utility.
  • Collectible:: Described as a classic linked to 1840, which raises its appeal as a display piece or heirloom.

The Bad

  • Feedback: There is not much feedback on real-world use, so real performance is unknown.
  • Cost: Pretty costly, which is not ideal for beginner woodworkers or budget conscious buyers.

What did others say?

We couldn’t find any valuable quotes about this product from other review websites like us 🙁

Scores

Feature
Details
Scores (1-10)
Blade length
26 in (66 cm)
10
TPI 
4.5 TPI
10
Tooth rake angle
5°-8° typical
6
Blade thickness
Approximately 0.032-0.035 inches (0.81–0.89 mm) (standard for 4.5 TPI rip saws)
9
Kerf width
Typical for Rip Saws: 0.045 inch (1.143 mm)
5
Steel hardness/Grade
High Speed Steel (HSS)
10
Overall Score
8.2/10
Learn how we scored it with the help of our tool!

How does it compare with others?

Rip Saw
Blade length Sc. (1-10)
TPI  Sc. (1-10)
Tooth rake angle Sc. (1-10)
Blade thickness Sc. (1-10)
Kerf width Sc. (1-10)
Steel hardness Sc. (1-10)
Overall
6
10
4
9
5
10
7.3/10
Disston D8
10
10
6
9
5
10
8.2/10
10
10
3
9
5
8
7.5/10

Should you buy it?

Disston 26” Walnut Professional Rip Saw
Recommended mainly for collectors, experienced woodworkers and fans of traditional tools.
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

Buy If:

  • You want a classic, collectible saw that shows heritage and history.
  • You need a high end for top quality performance.
  • You like traditional vintage hand saws rather than modern ones.

Don’t Buy If:

  • You need verified real-world rip performance.
  • You don’t have a fortune to spend on a hand saw.

Overall: This saw is a solid choice as a collectible or gift for someone who values vintage tools. For practical woodworking, buy it if you have the money or want the best of the best.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What type of wood does it cut?

The saw is marketed as a rip saw for wood. Its 4.5 TPI tooth pattern is designed to cut along the grain, making it best suited for ripping through softwoods and hardwoods in board form. It is not specialized for cutting engineered wood products, green wood, or materials other than lumber.

Does it come with a sheath?

No sheath or protective cover is mentioned in the specifications or product details. So it should be assumed that it does not come with one.

Is the handle comfortable?

The handle is custom-carved from American Black Walnut, which excels in durability and a traditional grip. However, actual ergonomics may depend on users’ hands.

Can it be used for pruning?

This saw is built for carpentry and lumber ripping, not outdoor pruning. Its long, straight blade and tooth geometry are not optimized for cutting green, fibrous branches, which require a pruning saw with finer teeth and curved blades for control.

It could cut branches in principle, but it would be inefficient and awkward compared to a pruning tool.

Is this saw good for beginners?

The tool appears more oriented toward collectors and experienced woodworkers who appreciate traditional hand tools. For someone new to woodworking, simpler, lower-cost hand saws with ergonomic features may be more practical.