Disston Bevel Type Studies
Shown here are type studies for the wooden handled bevels made by Disston & Morss and Disston & Sons. Both names for practical purposes represent the same company, and their products are continuous. In 1843, Henry Disston married Mary Steelman, the sister-in-law of carpenter Thomas Morss. It is not known the exact date Disston and Morss partnered to start producing measuring tools, but certainly by the end of the decade their enterprise was well underway. Thomas dies in 1864, but the partnership continues, with his wife Julia inheriting his ownership stake. Both their Sons Joab and Charles work for the business over the next 20+ years. The name is phased out from being marked on tools in the mid 1880s, but the partnership is not legally dissolved until almost 1900. When the Disston & Morss tradename was phased out in the 1880s, tools were marked with the then company name of Henry Disston & Sons, having changed to that with the addition of son Albert in 1871. This continued untill Disston being purchased in 1955.
Unlike Stanley, Disston offered several different models of wood handled bevels. The No5 used a slotted screw to tighten the bevel, but never sold well. Virtually every Disston bevel found today is either a model No1 or a No2. Both were sold at the same price for most of the time they were offered. The No 1 was slightly beefier and had a more traditional thumbscrew, and later, no handle recesses for the thumbscrew or lever. The No2 featured ornate cast thumbscrews of various designs and later featured handle recesses for flush locking.
Some of the variations are shown with illustrations of the trademarks commonly found on them. Just because a trademark is shown does not mean that every bevel of that variation will have one. Disston sold many unmarked bevels to third parties for resale. Other variations seem to never be found marked at all.
Between the three models, their types and variations, there are 21 distinct designs to be found (that I am aware of).
The No 2 was one of the few manufactured bevels of its time offered in a 18” size. These are uncommon and do not follow the types shown below. The thumbscrew is extra-large and has its own style shown here.
To view more examples of the No 1 Types 1-4, please visit the Early Bevel Makers page.
Dates in this type study are approximate, and when possible follow the catalog year a type or variation was introduced. Known Disston catalogs can have wide gaps between editions, and this increases uncertainty. Some assumptions are made based on the relative scarcity of variations if catalog illustrations are not available. If you have evidence which could affect the dates shown here, please contact me.
Page Last Updated April 19, 2026: Adjusted the type study for the No 1 to reflect a newly discovered Type 1.
No 1
Type 1 : 1849-1850
Examples of this earliest type have been seen in both rosewood and walnut. The thumbscrew is unique, with a sloping base that ends in a wide foot, which screws onto a loose threaded bolt which is inserted from the back of the bevel. They are marked wth "H Disston & Morss" in two straight lines. The blade slot is 4-5mm wide and the blade angle is between 20-30 degrees. The top plates are quite tall. The bottom plate rivets are large. (14", 12", 10", 8", 6")
[Full]
Type 2 : 1850-1855
Most examples of this type use mahogany for the handle. Screws are used to attach the top plates. The thumbscrew now uses a traditional oval style with diagonal knurling on a large bead around the base. The bottom plates are relatively short. The end of the blade is beveled at around 10 degrees. There can be variation in the exact shape and knurling of the thumbscrews, and other examples may not exactly match the one shown here. A relatively large stamp which starts with "MADE BY" is stamped parallel to the direction of the handle. (14", 12", 10", 8", 6")
[Full]
Type 3 Var A : 1855-1870
Type 3 Var B : 1855-1870
Type 3 Var C : 1855-1870
Type 3 makes five changes from Type 2. The mark has changed to a samller style. The wood has moved to Rosewood. Blade angles are now around 15 degrees. The blade slot is now 5.5-6mm wide. And the the thumbscrew knurling is now vertical and is usually on a thin flange at the base, although there can be variation in the exact shape and knurling of the thumbscrews. Variation A adds a prominent eagle above the maker mark holding a banner with the words Union & Libery. Variation B is the most common. Variation C loses the screws holding on the top plate. Sometime during Variation B, the bottom plate rivets move from 3-4mm (since Type 2) to 4-5mm in diameter. (14", 12", 10", 8", 6")
[Var A Full] [Var B Full] [Var C Full]
Type 4 : 1870-1885
Type 4 is essentially the same as Type 3 Variation C, but with a slightly new style of mark. The "Disston & Morss" is arched higher and the ends reach further down below "Philada". The thumbscrew is also much thicker. (14", 12", 10", 8", 6")
[Full]
Type 5 Var A : 1885-1891
Type 5 Var B : 1891-1911
Type 3 makes a significant change to the thumbscrew, opting for a less refined flat thumbscrew with a large base. These are often poorly cast and show the rough casting seam along the top edge. The middle bottom plate is also removed resulting in a one-piece handle now. The end of the blade is now beveled at 45 degrees. The difference between Variations A and B is the number of pins used to retain the bottom plates. Variation A uses 2 pins while Variation B uses a single pin. (14", 12", 10", 8", 6")
[Var A Full] [Var B Full]
Type 6 Var A : 1911-1915
Type 6 Var B : 1915-1925
Type 5 represents another significant change in the move from thumbscrews to nickel plated levers. Screws are once again used to attach the upper plates. Variation B adds the groove to the handle shortly after Stanley’s patent on this design expires. Type 5s of this model are the same as Type 4s of the Model No2, except that these do not have a recess at the top of the handle for the lever. Model No1 was discontinued before a redesign of the lever could occur. (14", 12", 10", 8", 6")
[Var A Full] [Var B Full]
No 2
Type 1 : 1870-1879
Type 1 uses a stylized thumbscrew cast in the shape of two pointed leaves. No screws are used to hold on the top plate and a triple bottom plate is used attached with two pins. The end of the blade is beveled at 22 degrees. The handle is made of rosewood, as are all the Types of the No 2. (14", 12", 10", 8", 6")
[Full]
Type 2 : 1879-1885
Type 2 differs from Type 1 only in the thumbscrew. While very similar to the Type 1, the ends of the leaves are now curled instead of pointed. These are frequently poorly cast, with very rough details within the leaves. People frequently also refer to these as looking like a crown. (14", 12", 10", 8", 6")
[Full]
Type 3 Var A : 1885-1891
Type 3 Var B : 1891-1905
Type 3 Var C : 1905-1911
Type 3 moves to yet another ornately cast thumbscrew. This one is low and rectangular with a floral motif, also sometimes described as a sunburst. The upper portion of the handle is also thinner that the rest, allowing the thumbscrew to be recessed. This allows the bevel to lay on any side without the thumbscrew interfering. The middle bottom plate is also removed resulting in a one-piece handle now. The end of the blade is now beveled at 45 degrees. Variation Auses two pins to attach the bottom plate. Variation B uses one pin to attach the bottom plate. Variation C uses screws to attach the top plate. Variation B is the most common, followed by A then C. (18", 14", 12", 10", 8", 6")
[Var A Full] [Var B Full] [Var C Full]
Type 4 Var A : 1911-1915
Type 4 Var B : 1915-1940
Type 4 represents another significant change in the move from thumbscrews to nickel plated levers. Screws are once again used to attach the upper plates. Variation B adds the groove to the handle shortly after Stanley’s patent on this design expires. Type 4’s of this model are the same as Type 4’s of the Model No 1, except that these have a recess at the top of the handle for the lever. (18", 14", 12", 10", 8", 6")
[Var A Full] [Var B Full]
Type 5 : 1940-1955
Type 5 is the same as Type 4 Variation B, but with a new lever design. The new lever is more cylindrical with a slight raise at the end, facilitating easier pushing of the lever. (14", 12", 10", 8", 6")
[Full]
No 5
Variation A : 1904-1911
Variation B : 1911-1918
Variation C : 1918-1923
The Model No 5 is somewhat of an oddity. Flush screw locking bevels were a decidedly English design style which had never been the norm in America. The few American makers who did make them were English immigrants in the early half of the 1800’s. Why Disston decided to resurrect this style in the 20th century is unclear. They are not common and likely were not strong sellers. Variation A uses two pins to attach the bottom plates, while B uses only one pin. Variation C adds the groove to the handle. (14", 12", 10", 8", 6")