David & all,

thanks for the detailed information, I have two more newbie type
questions:

> No. D-23 Lightweight Pattern Straight-back
> 
> Cover-top handle, applewood: full carved; large hand hole; Disston
> weatherproof finish; five brass screws in 26-inch length; four brass
> screws in 24-inch lengths.

1)This saw has 5 nuts in the handle but they don't appear to be brass,
they are silver colored - any significance?

2)My wife bought me a future antique Stanley UK #3 plane for our
anniversary so she could get some stuff engraved on it (okay it's new
but when my son gives it to his son/daughter it will be a cool old
tool). She was quite horrified when it showed up with the nifty "black
composite material" knob and tote (I quickly made new ones out of paduak
which I had some big scraps of - and yes I did save the originals in
case "black composite material" becomes collectable in future
generations), finally the question - what is the plastic looking
varnishy type gunk they use to coat the sole and the sides? And what is
the best way to get it off (I don't want to mess up the engraving). 

If either one of these questions is stupid then I have achieved a
consistency in my life which few can match.

Thanks again for the help

Jerry