jcuk

Have you tried here https://www.college-sewing.co.uk Hope this helps JCUK

If you don't mind if i ask, where are you thinking of buying from because the prices can vary from the three places i know who sell Osborne tools in the UK. I have a 86 which i have had 25 + years, great little splitter easy to use and to keep sharp, also lucked into a hardly used 84 from Ebay about three years ago takes a bit of getting used to but its a great splitter. Also have to say, I don't think the quality of the 84 is that of my old 86.

Yes have a look at this. Which Osborne splitter do have. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jY6nPujT0jM Hope this helps JCUK

nope plus you have not seen the state of my workshop

Really do you know what some leathers are tanned in from various parts of the World.

Yes it is, i am the first say i prefer old tools from days gone by, but this is a new Knife made by someone who knows and understands how to make quality tools and cares which is a great thing to still have around now. Feel a bit guilty you got the link from me for the Don Carlos no way you can tighten it up yourself i know you should not have to.

If you mind how were you polishing it

Try here never used them myself but they look like they my have something along those lines if not contact them they might help out. https://www.identityleathercraft.com/index.php/the-leather-room/veg-tan-leather.html Hope this helps JCUK

This is my Texas Rosebud with pen for scale.

Got mine from Abbey around £15 with two types of of blade and its a George Barnsley.

Might be of interest. https://www.crockettandjones.com/the-article/the-clicking-room-secrets-of-the-shoe-trade/

Easier to cut and paste this. Many make their own blades from old hack saw blades. https://www.artisanleather.co.uk/clicker-knife-1476-p.html

Oh a Exacto type knife i have a full set which i have had 25+ years all pretty much in mint condition that's how much i use them, for cutting lighter leather i use a Clicker knife which is the far right one.

Have to confess i have never used this kind of knife as you can tell from my previous post is this topic its a Round knife foe me at least 95% of the time .Skinny ali things with a really sharp point ?

Think this would have been a better choice i know its double the money but looks far better quality. https://www.sheffieldknives.co.uk/acatalog/7-121.html#SID=15 Hope this helps JCUK

No worries

Totally agree i have a Knipschield Knife in fact the said Texas rosebud had it around five years its never been near a stone just strop and go works as well as the day i got it, only mistake i made looking back cant help feeling should have got the full fat version the Texas Rose. Also i would be very shocked if they did not hold there value on the used market, when you think about it $245.00 is not a lot for something you use more or less every time you go into your work shop especially as i have said you can do more with this one knife than other knife which means you don't need to buy several different for likes of skiving and such if you take the time to learn how to use one. JCUK

Yes i too know there is a difference between the a Round Knife and a Head knife just mention both because some may have one or the other, i have no doubt about those Japanese knives as being ok to use got to be better than a Stanley type knife (box cutter) especially those with snap off blades ouch waiting to happen to me, for the type of work i don't think any knife can replace a Round Knife. JCUK

In all the time i have been in leather work i have not seen any other knife as versatile as a Round Knife/Head Knife, i would not be without mine. In fact i cant think of a more versatile tool that i have.

John Adams. https://sheffieldknives.co.uk/acatalog/2-88.html Hope this helps JCUK

Curious what makes you think this knife will be of more quality. Also have a look at this site there is only one Round Knife at the moment it is unmarked and 5'' contact Bruce ask him about it, don't think it would be on his site if he did not rate it. Many here will endorse his site and the quality of the tools for sale it will be ready to go out of the box and it might be an unmarked gem, he often has some good old ones for sale. My first single Head Knife was unmarked and is a little gem still have it some 25 plus years cost £13 https://brucejohnsonleather.com JCUK

This maybe a better choice for you it will do anything a round knife can do, less of a learning curve in use and sharpening. https://www.abbeyengland.com/barnsley-single-head-knife-552.html They also have these cant say how good or bad they are, the blade does not look over big. https://www.abbeyengland.com/abbey-round-knife-10222.html Tempted by this myself but cant justify it to the other half i think, but this looks a good one they don't come up that often as good as this, yes it maybe on the large side for you now but you will get use to it and not regret it. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-half-moon-cutter-cobblers-saddlers-leather-working-tool-by-Dixon/164662949917?hash=item2656ad381d:g:oVMAAOSwxTxgDAQo Hope this helps JCUK

Plus all part of the learning curve JCUK

Hi before you use any kind of oil based product use a soft brush to remove any dust and dirt from the saddle secondly then clean it gently with saddle soap after it has dried off, then apply Neats foot oil heat it up before you apply it (tepid) luke warm it helps penetrate the fibre better also with remember with NFO a little goes a long way you don't want to saturate the leather which will weaken already damaged parts of the the saddle. And not sure if you are going to do anything to the seat but if it just for a display and conversation piece i would leave it as it is, unless you know of someone who can do a sympathetic restoration. And yes its a nice piece of history. Hope this helps JCUK

I know not US based but as no one has responded thought i would give you some links - both are good companies to work with and ship worldwide. https://www.metropolitanleather.com/Buy-Leather/Buy-Vegetable-Tanned-Leather/Saddle-Pigskin-Pitsford https://www.abbeyengland.com/pigskin-greased-7699.html https://www.abbeyengland.com/pigskin-dry-7698.html Hope this helps JCUK