Knipper Report post Posted March 2, 2012 (edited) Thanks to Bruce Johnson, I had the opportunity to make him a replacement plough gauge blade. He sent me one of the Dixon units and also the French one. I'd never seen or used one before, so this was a welcome introduction to yet another leather cutting tool. I used CPM154CM steel, and heat treated it to a Rockwell hardness of around 60. After resharpening one of the old Dixon blades and cutting with it, I tried the one I made and I think it may cut better, but someone with more experience using them than I will have to render that opinion. This first one went slowly, as I didn't have the correct thickness of stock on hand, so I had to surface grind a thicker piece to the right dimension (3/32"). Milling the mounting slot took a while too. I have a mill, but I'm definitely NOT a machinist. All in all, I think it turned out pretty good. Can't wait to hear Bruce's opinion! If there is room for improvement, he'll let me know, and the next one will be better. Knipper Edited March 2, 2012 by Knipper Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pabloz Report post Posted March 2, 2012 SSSWWWEEEEEETTTT!!!!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gtwister09 Report post Posted March 2, 2012 Looks nice. Ha-ha - I'm sure Bruce will speak up for sure. I'm sure it will be a nice addition to used plough gauges. Regards, Ben P.S. Ditto to Pauls' statement. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bruce johnson Report post Posted March 2, 2012 That is some kind of pretty now. Talk to you tomorrow! That will really class up the joint. The only problem I am going to have is deciding which gauge gets the new blade. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Knipper Report post Posted March 2, 2012 Thanks, Bruce... I can't wait to get a "cutting" report on the blade's performance! Terry That is some kind of pretty now. Talk to you tomorrow! That will really class up the joint. The only problem I am going to have is deciding which gauge gets the new blade. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
spooky Report post Posted March 3, 2012 Nice to know that there are people who are able to still make replacement blades for these wonderful old tools. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hidepounder Report post Posted March 4, 2012 Really nice Terry! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cgleather Report post Posted March 4, 2012 Nice work as always Terry. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bluesman Report post Posted March 5, 2012 Terry, I'm a retired toolmaker and will say, that is wonderful. Your attention to detail is second to none. Now, if it cuts that's even better. GREAT JOB!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Trox Report post Posted March 6, 2012 Hi Knipper, What a beautiful blade you made! Great job. I was looking for a new blade for my Dixon plouge gauge when I saw this. Dixon sells new blades on their web shop, but I rather buy one from you. Do you want to make more blades? Your blade is very beautiful, but would you consider using some brass in it. I kind of love the old toolmakers use of brass, brass also go nicely with the plouge gauge; it is a retro tool. The brass adds some warm color to the cold steel. Your handle construction is an improvement over the Dixon’s. Please send me a PM with a quote if you will make more blades. If I can afford it, I buy it. Thanks:You_Rock_Emoticon: Trox Thanks to Bruce Johnson, I had the opportunity to make him a replacement plough gauge blade. He sent me one of the Dixon units and also the French one. I'd never seen or used one before, so this was a welcome introduction to yet another leather cutting tool. I used CPM154CM steel, and heat treated it to a Rockwell hardness of around 60. After resharpening one of the old Dixon blades and cutting with it, I tried the one I made and I think it may cut better, but someone with more experience using them than I will have to render that opinion. This first one went slowly, as I didn't have the correct thickness of stock on hand, so I had to surface grind a thicker piece to the right dimension (3/32"). Milling the mounting slot took a while too. I have a mill, but I'm definitely NOT a machinist. All in all, I think it turned out pretty good. Can't wait to hear Bruce's opinion! If there is room for improvement, he'll let me know, and the next one will be better. Knipper Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Knipper Report post Posted March 6, 2012 Hi Trox! Though the photo doesn't show it very well, I did use solid, yellow brass for the bolsters and pins. I didn't color correct the photo before I posted it. As to making more, I'm kind of waiting for a report from Bruce to see how he thinks it works. He should receive it by the end of this week. If all goes okay, I would consider making more if there is a demand for them. Thanks for the kind words! Terry Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Trox Report post Posted March 6, 2012 I am sorry, but It looks like steel on the picture. Let me know when you ready to make another one. Thanks Trox Hi Trox! Though the photo doesn't show it very well, I did use solid, yellow brass for the bolsters and pins. I didn't color correct the photo before I posted it. As to making more, I'm kind of waiting for a report from Bruce to see how he thinks it works. He should receive it by the end of this week. If all goes okay, I would consider making more if there is a demand for them. Thanks for the kind words! Terry Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TTcustom Report post Posted March 7, 2012 If I could afford one this is what I would buy! That is a beautiful Plough gauge blade! Wonderful work! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
simontuntelder Report post Posted September 3, 2012 Just came across this, and couldn't help but wonder, if you ever made more? That is absolutely beautiful! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Knipper Report post Posted September 21, 2012 Now that I got a good report card from Bruce, I'll be adding a few of these to my line. I'll take what I have to the Boots and Saddles show in early Oct. and see how they go. After that, I'll have to make some more, but yes...I am making these now both for the Dixon and the Blanchard Plough Gauges. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
walter roth Report post Posted March 20, 2015 Hi Knipper Yes, a very nice work. So I like it very well. Found just that. If you have one of them have, I would like to buy it. Greeting Walter Roth Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bbass408 Report post Posted November 3, 2020 Like so many others, I just wanted to say how amazed I am with your work. Now, beware the noob... I had a question about the grind on the plough gauge blade. It looks like a convex grind that's about a half inch wide. Is that correct? Is it the same on both sides? Curious if it's flat on the side towards the fence and convex on the other. I'm going off of this picture for the grinding terms: If it's not too off-topic, are there any nice discussions about how round knife edges are ground? It's hard to see in 2D pictures. It seems like the cheaper ones have parallel faces and double bevel edge with a taper that goes in about 1/16th or so. That doesn't seem ideal. On some more expensive ones, it looks like it may be flat or convex on both sides. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
