Historical information
Henry Disston (1819-1878) was born in England and later moved to America. He has been noted in a biography as a "Pioneer Industrialist Inventor". In 1840 he began making and selling his own saws in Philadelphia, USA, growing to become the world's largest saw manufacturer. Tools made by Henry Disston and his company have the reputation of being the finest tools money can buy.
Significance
The saw sharpening vice and its shifting spanner are significant for their connection with Henry Distton & Sons, renowned for high quality hand saws and associated tools. In 1855 Henry Disston cast a crucible saw sharpening steel, the first person to ever do so in America.
The hand tools are also important for their association with the early building industry.
Physical description
Saw sharpening vice with accompanying saw tooth shifting spanner. The vice has a ball and socket clamp. The top of the vice has a saw clamp with wide jaws. The metal surface has remnants of black paint. Inscription is cast into the jaws of the vice. It was made by Henry Disston & Sons
Inscriptions & markings
"HENRY DISSTON & SONS"
Subjects
- flagstaff hill,
- warrnambool,
- shipwrecked-coast,
- flagstaff-hill,
- flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum,
- maritime-museum,
- shipwreck-coast,
- flagstaff-hill-maritime-village,
- flagstaff hill,
- warrnambool,
- shipwrecked-coast,
- flagstaff-hill,
- flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum,
- maritime-museum,
- shipwreck-coast,
- flagstaff-hill-maritime-village,
- vice,
- saw sharpening vice,
- saw sharpening tool,
- saw tooth,
- shifting spanner,
- woodworking tool,
- henry disston,
- disston & co,
- hand saw,
- handsaw,
- hand tools,
- carpentry,
- boat building
References
- The Disstonian Institute; online reference of Disston Saws Biography of Henry Disston (1819-1878)
