what is this?

[ghstrydr164]

I found this in a box of leather tools I purchased at a garage sale sometime back and ran across it today in the shop and thought I would ask if anyone knows the specific purpose this tool.

It is 6 2/3"L x 1"W with 1/16" marks to 2" either side of the blade slot. The tool has no markings, looks hand made but not a one of a kind judging from the quality and detail. It has a slot to accept a blade for cutting. Seems to be a strap splitter, but for what purpose? The strap would have to be already cut the same width is entire length for it to ride properly in the tool so why?

[rdb]

Can't imagine what it may have originally been for, but it looks like you could use it to do the inside cuts on mystery braid straps, adjusting the sides as necessary.

[pete]

my guess is that it finds and cuts the center from a strap evenly. If that is what it's for then why not take dividers and scribe a center line?

[sheridanleather]

That is called a crown splitter--now please don't ask me to explain how it works or what it is used for! We have had a couple of them in the shop from time to time...

[rdb]

I used ten search engines and found nothing to explain crown splitter. Crown on a saddle? veternary use for crowns for horses....can't figger. sounds like sheridanleather knows but ain't tellin'...lol

[Blake]

Hey Guys

The "Crown Splitter" is used for splitting the crown piece on a headstall. A split ear headstall!

. 1970s Stuff.

Blake

[greg gomersall]

A crown splitter is used on driving bridles and some english bridles. The poll strap or crown is split part way on each end and these ends form the billets for the cheek pieces and the throat latch while tthe top is one solid piece. Greg

[steveb]

that look like a device you'd use to split an already squared off strap to a narrower width.

a blade goes in that slot

you draw the strap past the blade

carefully

[Blake]

Hi Greg

I got mine back in the early 70s as surplus from a saddle company in Chattanooga Tennessee which also owned the BT Crump Company.

I got it after I watched the guys in production making a slew of the Western headstalls. Most were the single ply harness leather type.

It makes sense to me that it was originaly for the English market. I have seen the same in use at the Old Blue Ribbon Co. that made a lot of gaited horse equipment.

I made a blade for mine that I could use to cut a "V" shaped channel down the center flesh side of a strap to ease the fabrication of rounded Reins, Throat latches on halters etc. It sure helps provide a nice slick round without stressing the top grain.

Blake

[awharness]

Oh I was excited when i saw this and thought I might get a chance to jump in! Weaver still sells them and so does Beilers. I know if you are cutting a crown piece for a bridle and you set a strap cutter or draw guage to cut in 5/8 for a show bridle with a 1 1/8" crown when you go to cut the other side you will cut the wrong size in the wrong order... trust me I made the mistake one time when I was chatting with my farrier and looked like a fool after I spent 15 mins lining the crown piece with patant and sewing on the winker stay buckle and the top piece for the over check I realized what I did. On a lot of the show bridles they will do a 5/8 check for box loops and 1/2 for the throat latch.