Thread: What tool is this #2764

Of course I knew it was a blade from a leather plough..... but I believe there was an over supply of leather ploughs in the late 30's and a shortage of devices for opening crates..... so with war osterity and such they were pressed into use a crate opening tools by the military.


cheers

And those poor leather workers were stuck cutting straps with a pinch bar!

Probably just a mixup at stores.

Knowing the army, it was probably no mix up.
And just so I can do a Me Too, I have made one for a leather worker cos he lost or broke that blade same as you showed.

The metal from a broken cold saw was ideal as it sharpened up frighteningly well.It was a joy to use.It was sharpened on one side of the blade only.

If I remember ,the aforesaid leather worker used this thingy to cut straps and belts.

PRIVATE Grahame

Sorry about the delay getting back. Did try on wednesday but the photos were too big, then too small. and trying to use quotes and cutting and pasting I ended up losing all the text. Now not being a speed typist and seeing the approaching storm might stop my night in town I jumped in the ute and bolted. You"ll see what I mean where I spent last Sunday night.
Bleedin Thumb the photos should explain it all. The blade locates on a pin in the wider slot then the screw clamp the plate tight on the blade. Apricot I'll be around a bit but I'm not a prolific typist. I saw this site before Christmas with the idea of getting into woodwork for relaxing and to make myself some furniture. With the tools I now have ordered I could've bought two lots of furniture. What the hell! Bob

Originally Posted by hoody

Now not being a speed typist and seeing the approaching storm might stop my night in town I jumped in the ute and bolted. You"ll see what I mean where I spent last Sunday night.

What a great forum. Really thought you had 'em stumped Bleedin.

Well done Hoody. Amazing that you have and know how to use a tool that was probably only used for a few decades, if that. Gotta be a collector's item.

Fantastic.

Tex

Thanks a lot for the follow up Hoody. The plough gauge cleaned up well and its great to see it in action.

Getting a bit of rain are we? Or is it just a case of being another unfortunate land rover owner

Hey Bleedin Thumb,, The blade you have is only part of the whole tool, which is called a leather plough, made for cutting varying widths of leather strap. eg making a belt.

Ta Bob.... I can see how typing could hold you back. I can type, but thats only cause I took it up when I was in school ( Had to put up with me mates calling me a poof....but I got much pleasure being the only boy amongst a mob a girls )

4th pictures the best I reakon. Says it all. You find the thing tricky to use ?

Originally Posted by hoody

I saw this site before Christmas with the idea of getting into woodwork for relaxing and to make myself some furniture. With the tools I now have ordered I could've bought two lots of furniture. What the hell! Bob

Good one on solving the question, and a nice job on the plow there Bob.
Some sandpaper and oil on the handle maybe?

I'm no expert on finishing but how would you normally treat a tool handle?

Thanks Hoody I have been watching this one and it certainly had me beat but your pics showing the whole tool solved it for me, wern't those old timers smart buggers in there tool design , so simple and so effective espically when you thing how many things were belt driven I tips me hat to em

Originally Posted by hoody

Its a blade from a leather plough. Used to cut belts reins etc.Bob

Yeah, that's what I was going to say. Also known as a plough gauge. I saw one only two weeks ago in Melbourne with a Gregsteel blade in it, marked with the D^D stamp as well.

I can tell you a bit about how they are used, I know a good saddlery in my home town here, and they use three of these on a daily basis. The blade needs to be very sharp, duh... and you don't wet the leather at all. Just cut a notch in the starting edge of the piece you are cutting, to feed it past that hold down roller you have set, then SSSCCHHHHK! pull it straight through... Beautiful. Have seen them cutting 6mm leather like having breakfast! And I have done it myself.

As for being a collectable item, plough gauges are not rare, but you don't see them every day. (am I contradicting myself there?) Nice thing to have if you need one.

Cheers,

Chris.

what a very interesting item. I to started thinking along the lines of a crate opening device, but to think a solider would carry something with such a round protruding handle i thought otherwise. Also i'm sure they'd just use a knife or bayonet.

Would be interesting to know how long the original blade was given these would be sharpen on a very regular basis.

cheers.

Originally Posted by Bleedin Thumb

Thanks a lot for the follow up Hoody. The plough gauge cleaned up well and its great to see it in action.

Getting a bit of rain are we? Or is it just a case of being another unfortunate land rover owner

Bleeding Thumb best Jan Feb rain since 91. Is it the Landrover? Maybe the operator!