C.S. Osborne quality control thru the years.

[DieselTech]

1st off I want to say, Thank You @bruce johnson very much. This history/old time experience has explained a lot to me. 

It also means a lot to me. Thanks. 

Ok now that I got a cup of coffee, I am going to whittle at this a Lil at a time. 

I will have to read this a few times, to get all the great info/history of your article on C.S. Osborne tools. 

I am going to go slow on this reading & I am going to have more than 1 response to this article, so I can take it all in. Plus I want to add pictures to my responses, to help, show, & maybe help others on their tools. 

Thanks again. @bruce johnson 

Later today I got some pictures to add & another response/comment to add to this thread. 

[TomE]

Thanks, @bruce johnson.  I enjoy learning from you and appreciate you taking the time to put the information out there.  

[FrankHester]

Thank you @bruce johnson.  Greatly appreciated!

[jcuk]

I first brought some Osborne tools about 30 years ago still have them now apart from one the Round knife the brass ferrel split so task someone if they could fix it unfortunately for me they made a complete bodge job of it so i contacted the place where i got the tools from (H. Webber and sons) about 20 years before to if they had replacement handles they ask me what was wrong and then said all Osborne tools have a life time guarantee send it back to them and they would replace it even though i told them that someone had messed the it up trying to repair it. So i did and they sent me a another one but it was no where near as good as the one i sent back like Bruce has already said the i would sharpen it and give it a good strop would not hold a edge, cutting was just okay but skiving was a pain and became bit dodgy so i put  away and my better half treated me to Knipschield Texas Rosebud Round i have never had to sharpen this knife just strop and go. Fast forward a few years i went to one of my suppliers who was having an open day as they said there would be some bargains to be had and vat free too, so i went along and there was guest there you know all know him the one who does the saddle stitching videos. Anyway they also carried Osborne tools so had to have a look at those too looked at the Round because it looked different to mine pick it up felt more weighty in the hand and the steel looked better too, again as Bruce has said think they have upped there game where the knives are concerned and yes i was tempted to buy another but did hold off. The other Osborne tools i have are the American scratch compass great tool, Palm awl haft and some blades not really used them also got the leather skife pointless tool in my opinion but the star of the show is 86 splitter great tool still with the same blade. About five years ago saw a 84 splitter pretty cheap so also got that does the job but the build quality is a bit mmm the blade either side of the machine would split at different depths once you get to know it you just know which side of the blade to use, showed the blade to a farrier i know he laid it on a flat surface it was not level so quality control was not there also not so long ago brought a skirt shave you may know as a French edger its okay but no where as good as some old Dixons and Adams ones i have and not even as good as a Dixon copy i have. That being said about quality control it should be there, but think they have the same issues with that as Dixons had and maybe Blanchard are trying to compete with cheaper options coming out of the far east so as far i am concerned i will try and buy Osborne, Blanchard and Barnsley tools along with the old Dixons and other old makers which to me are proper workmen tools yes rough and ready not pretty but will do the job in the right hands. I for one would hate to see old makers such as Osborne, Blanchard and Barnsley disappear.   

Hope this helps

JCUK

 

 

 

[RidgebackCustoms]

On 10/19/2024 at 1:05 AM, bruce johnson said:

Buckle up - this may be a long one....

Great read!  Thank you for the history and insight.