jcuk

Agree that is a steal to bad you are not this side of the pond. JCUK

Got my first Stockton one when i first started out could not afford a Plough gauge then and which were only made for orthodox, me being a south paw this was a godsend to me 25 + years ago and guess what still going strong now and have cut some real heavy leather with it no problem, and no i don't have a replacement but do have the metal one which is ok but it does slip out of measurement quite easily also do have a plough gauge (orthodox,) but still like to use the strap cutter just easy to use left or right handed.

Spyros you may want to check local hardware stores or Amazon Australia for wad punch sets may work out cheaper for you. https://www.amazon.com.au/s?k=wad+punch+set&rh=n%3A5159226051&ref=nb_sb_noss These are what Abbey England sell and no i did not get mine from them, got half decent set from a local hardware store for a third of the price. https://www.amazon.com.au/Maun-Metric-Punch-1000-MAUWPKM/dp/B0001P0E14/ref=sr_1_8?keywords=wad%2Bpunch%2Bset&qid=1637344942&s=home-improvement&sr=1-8&th=1 Hope this helps JCUK

Sorry cant resist. Theres me thinking you are saying to them, yes one day if you two are good girls you can become one of these one day. JCUK

I have used Metropolitan for a long time never had any issues with their leather but having said that i am just close enough to drive and select the leather myself most of the time and on the times i could not have never been dissatisfied with what they have sent.

Have to say i have not done any work where guns are concerned but looking at the links from Chuck can not see any reason why the 9oz/3.6mm bridle leather would not work a lot of my work is heavy strap work and if i had that weight of leather to hand i would use it. Hope this helps JCUK

I am taking it that you have already cut a strap at a set figure of the Plough Gauge already and it was wrong when you measured it again, thats why i never trust the gauge on any of the strap cutters i have, i use a set square for all my measurements in fact my Plough Gauge does not have any measurement marking on it. Got it from someone who thought they could make one which they did works well. Also i think i know the maker of yours looking at the handle of the one you have P.M. me and i will have a guess. Hope this helps JCUK

But lets hope it does not mean abby normal as Igor says in Young Frankenstein, sorry could not resist

No worries still hoping Le Prevo will still be around in one way or another.

I messaged the chat bot at Abbey who said they do ship to N.I. there are certain liquids they cant ship at the moment because of the extra training they need for this but also said they should have that in a few weeks hopefully so maybe contact them again, think because a lot of trade is done online they have to compete with a lot of others or maybe the peace agreement changed their policy who knows. So maybe give them a try again also i messaged Metropolitan Leather they have said they will ship to N.I. they stock Osborne, George Barnsley tools they have threads and edge stains, dyes, these days, they may also be an option for you good to work with also. Please note that Abbey also said the minimum order to NI is the same as here in the GB and is £25. Heres are links for Abbey and Metropolitan https://www.abbeyengland.com https://www.metropolitanleather.com Hope this helps JCUK

Sad if that is it, will Abbey not send to N.I. they use to deal with me when i was in middle east 25 years ago, and if you mind me asking who else have you tried in G.B.

Went to Le Prevos site today not sure if means they are stopping trading all together or scaling down. While i don't do a lot of trade with them when i have, i've found them very good people to work with, i know there are many here that use them a lot which means they will sadly missed by leather workers in the UK. If they are to cease trading completely, hope not, because they are always another option for things i may need that other suppliers may not have in stock or stock to start with and their prices are very good. http://www.leprevo.co.uk JCUK

Can only echo what has already been said nice work. JCUK

Nice work really like that thinking, only one thing i would change is the strap i would have put more of a point on it to match the triangle design of the bag but thats me being picky, again nice work JCUK

This might be of interest. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPJL7311020 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUV5-dOjVFA Hope this helps JCUK

I sharpen mine pretty much the same as this. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uUvErBUG68 As i said in an above post if you have access to a buffing/polishing machine it every now and then give a polish on it it should mean a lot less sharpening, i get a local farrier to do for mine but be careful with the blade don't have to tell you how sharp it is also don't let it get to hot. Also saw this looks interesting never seen this before. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tHpJAnknl4 Hope this helps JCUK

Yes i got one when my tools were in storage while i was working abroad still have it somewhere don't know where they ok for lighter and small work not a patch on Dixon or Osborne they more for a hobbyist really i think. Here are some links for Osborne tools in the UK. https://www.metropolitanleather.com/Buy-Tools/Buy-CS-Osborne-Co-Tools https://www.abbeyengland.com/workshop-materials/tools/osborne-tools.html https://hwebber.co.uk/product-category/c-s-osborne-leather-working-tools/ https://www.ebay.co.uk/str/handtoolsuk?_trksid=p2047675.l2563 All good companies to work with i have and still do business with them the prices vary from each of them, it seems Metropolitan are the cheapest Abbey also carry another splitter looks a bit like the Ivan one, check among all the saddlery tools you will see it there don't know how good it is. I think H webber and son and Hand tools UK are the same people could be wrong though. It has been said by some people how they feel some of the tools from Osborne that the quality has dropped off which is a shame, i have some older Osborne tools which are great. Metropolitan also carry some George Barnsley tools which are good no nonsense tools. I see on the Artisan site they carry two Ivan splitters one deluxe splitter which i think is discontinued the other one is the the one i have some where and Fredk is right if you are interested in it check Le Prevo first cheaper but not sure if VAT has been added on the Le Prevo one even if it has not should still be cheaper. h Hope this helps JCUK

Sometimes change your search criteria you may get lucky thats how i lucked upon the Osborne 84. As for maintaining the blade if you know of someone with a buffing/polishing machine ask them from time to time give it polish, a good polished blade/edge work better but if you do have you do know of someone who can do it for you tell them to be careful of the blade and also not to get it to hot. You do know there are places that sell Osborne splitters in the UK.

I keep an eye out for Dixons tools and have to say that price unfortunately seems about the going rate this side of the pond for the 8'' splitter. About six weeks ago i saw one which i think was a 6'' marked as some kind of leather cutter they did not realise what they had it was £120 so i kept an eye on thinking no one would see it even told my other half i was interested in this up to £250 - it just needed a bit of a clean up, the blade looked good.But one day before it was due to end someone bid i thought thats ok, then someone else and so on - i think in the end it went for around £480 and it was not in as good nick as the one for sale the moment. Along with the Osborne 86 splitter i also have a 84 which i got from ebay they said it was lightly used which it was, sure i paid £399 which against a new one here it was a steal for me - it was buy now it was its first day on there, so snapped it up but have to say it not as well made as my old 86 but it does the job and to be fair to Osborne stand by their life time guarantee (which they did for a old round knife that got damaged not a fault of the knife contacted the people i got it from here 25 years before they ask what was wrong told i ask if they could get another handle so i could fit it they said send back they will send another one which they did unfortunately not as good of my old one which was a great knife). I know what you mean about getting one from Weaver but the import and customs and vat will make it lot more expensive, i had to order some things from Aaron Martin out of Canada and was i stung with extra payment but had no choice could not source them closer to home, they are a good company to deal with. As for flea markets car boot sales yes sometimes there are bargains to be had but since covid hit there seemed to be a lot of new interest in leather work this side of the pond ( think its on the decline now ) now things have opened up, but it did make people more savvy about the things they were selling. Its not only Dixons there are other old British makes i keep an eye out for even though i don't think i need to much else but i am a sucker for old tools.

One thing i would say ask the seller if he could get a better pic of the blade because if thats gone could be hard to replace and expensive if you can, from the pics already there it looks good and yes as i said if i was in the market for another splitter i would make a offer, even at that price if you are serious about getting into leather work it should be a great buy. My first splitter i got was a Osborne no 86 still have it 25+ years later still works a treat . Hope this helps JCUK

Sorry did not quote in above post so please read above

I believe the quality of Dixon dropped off towards the end, sorry to say, having said that there are good ones out there if you look long and hard enough. The ones i have are older. Here a link to a splitter i would be interested if i did not already have two splitters already ( Osborne ) would maybe swap both for this not sure if this was a older one or a later one, there was another one yesterday that was owned by a retiring saddler which may have been a older version and it was cheaper too, not there anymore. Also George Barnsley are making good no nonsense tools in the UK, but no splitters. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/124958218377?hash=item1d18171889:g:1-YAAOSwNathbAYn https://www.georgebarnsleyandsons.co.uk Not cheap i know but i would take this over any of the newer ones anytime. Hope this helps JCUK

sorry cant resist my vote is for a Fab lolly stick

Sorry cant stop thinking about a Pink Floyd song when i read this post. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9Xc3QR_5UA sorry again but it is Sunday

I think they mean ice lolly sticks, nearly the same as the tongue depressors doctors and vets use.