Adam Maxwell wrote:

> Tom, I just checked my Disston saws, including two D15s, a D12, a D8,
> and two No 7s.=A0 All read with the toe of the handle down.
> Interestingly, the 11 pt saws have serifs, so you can even tell the
> correct direction in that case.
>
> I also checked a few of my Atkins saws.=A0 The 400 and 401 read with
> the top up, handle to the right, facing the plate.=A0 The
> #70 is oriented like the Disston saws.

Adam, I wasn't sure what you meant by "the toe of the handle," but the
consistency seemed crucial. So I went back to the Institute D8 page

http://www.disstonianinstitute.com/d8page.html

to look for just one stamp, and the first saw has a crystal-clear 7
oriented to read with the point up in the air and the handle downward.
Most of the others, I couldn't see the mark. Only... maybe I'm seeing
dragons in the clouds, but as I stared at the second saw on the page, I
seemed to see a 7 on that one too, oriented to read with the handle on
the right and the point on the left.

Bugger.

Anyway, mine reads "6" with the point up and the handle down, which is
what is most likely the correct orientation and original point count.
And whatever it started as, its a damn good user in damn good condition.
Thanks for the help.

Tom
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