Modern-Day Plough Gauge?

[IngleGunLeather]

Every listing I see for a plough gauge is listed as an antique. Are these not made anymore? I'm just not wanting to pay the "antique" price if I don't have to.

[celticleather]

A brand-new Dixon's plough knife will cost you $427 at today's price (plus shipping from UK). Sometimes the antiques are cheaper!

[IngleGunLeather]

A brand-new Dixon's plough knife will cost you $427 at today's price (plus shipping from UK). Sometimes the antiques are cheaper!

Dang! Thanks for the info.

[penguineer]

You can pay as much or more for old or new as the other - guess it depends if you know what you're looking at and can judge the difference between a "reasonable" new one and a "superb-but-used" old one that really is worth more as a tool.

I've come to the conclusion that vintage/antique is ebay-speak for "I barely know what this is and it came out of a dusty old box" (take a look at craftool listings sometime).

Cheers!

Edited June 24, 2013 by penguineer

[bruce johnson]

Ask the Australians what they pay for a new Dixon plough. I have finally cleaned up my want-list for Dixon ploughs, and most every one of them took a plane ride southwest from here.

[IngleGunLeather]

Ask the Australians what they pay for a new Dixon plough. I have finally cleaned up my want-list for Dixon ploughs, and most every one of them took a plane ride southwest from here.

Thanks for responding Bruce. Are these really that good that there's a high demand and price for them? I am looking for an alternate way to cut straps. Just not liking the draw gauge that much.

[bruce johnson]

Thanks for responding Bruce. Are these really that good that there's a high demand and price for them? I am looking for an alternate way to cut straps. Just not liking the draw gauge that much.

I like to use them. I think they are easier for bigger widths than a draw gauge. Push is in line with the blade, don't need to hang the leather off the table since you cut on the tabletop, roller to keep the leather down on the blade, etc. I still use a draw gauge too, but much over an inch and I am ploughing. They are a European tool and so most of the popularity is either in those countries, influence from them, or being taught by someone who grew up using one. I normally have a want-list for the Dixons. Mechanically most of the Blanchards work very similar, but at one point this spring I had a waiting list 9 deep for a Dixon - all but one to Australia. Being of English bent, they prefer the Dixons and Lefflers is still listing a new Dixon on their website for around $1200 (One thousand two hundred!).

[Matt S]

Yikes, now I wish I'd put the one I recently sold on eBay Australia!

[celticleather]

Countrytrash - Have you considered the wooden strap cutter? (http://www.leatherhouse.eu/products/96-knife-blades-amp-scissors/979-the-original-strap-cutter-incl-2-blades/)

It's much cheaper than a traditional plough gauge, and would make a good 'transition tool' until a right-price plough gauge comes along. I've been using the wooden strap cutter since the 1970's, despite having four plough gauges in my collection!

[Trox]

This one cost 125 £ http://leprevo.co.uk...lough-knife.htm its made by wood ware rep. (sons of Barnsley). It looks like a kitchen tool, but I am sure it works well. I have a new German plough in my collection, however that cost about 310 Euro. A bit less than a small Blanchard, but still expensive. Here compared to a 10 cm Blanchard plough, I would put in an extra 50 euro and buy a Blanchard instead. I have a Dixon and A old Mayer Flamery too.

What makes a plough good, I believe its the steel in the knife ( the guide and frame has to be straight of course) My favorite these days is a old 15 cm Mayer Flamery plough, it has a very good knife. Thats the reason the old ones are expensive, hand made good steel in them.

Tor

[spooky]

I like to use them. I think they are easier for bigger widths than a draw gauge. Push is in line with the blade, don't need to hang the leather off the table since you cut on the tabletop, roller to keep the leather down on the blade, etc. I still use a draw gauge too, but much over an inch and I am ploughing. They are a European tool and so most of the popularity is either in those countries, influence from them, or being taught by someone who grew up using one. I normally have a want-list for the Dixons. Mechanically most of the Blanchards work very similar, but at one point this spring I had a waiting list 9 deep for a Dixon - all but one to Australia. Being of English bent, they prefer the Dixons and Lefflers is still listing a new Dixon on their website for around $1200 (One thousand two hundred!).

That's also why us Aussies trawl ebay (as well as Bruce!) for plough gauges amongst other leather tools. I was lucky enough to pick up to plou gauges at Christmas, from ebay for around $180 each. Only wanted one, threw in what I thought was a cheeky bid on the first (from the UK) and would have no hope. Spotted a second, nicer one, so put in another cheeky bid. Second auction finished before the first... and to my surprise, I won it. Waited for the first auction to finish... expecting to be outbid, as here, most plough gauges on ebay sell for between $400-$600++... so you can imagne my surprise when I won it too! Not complaining. Still need to clean them up and get confident with using them... but for that price, it made sense to grab them. guess what I am tryigto say, that ebay/antique prices can sometimes be a very good deal.

[cem]

I picked my plough gauge up for $180 as well a couple of years ago so bargains can definitely be had off of Ebay Australia.