justken Report post Posted September 13, 2014 (edited) Found this H. L. Osborne Splitter/Skiver at a flea market... Came out of a shop that was closed in 1942 and had been packed in a barn since...Know it was made in 1905 or earlierIt's all there and everything works, blades even halfway sharp... Is missing a leaf spring on handle but its the same size as newer rotary punches... Ordering a replacement one from Weaver..Now the big question .... What's it worth? Edited September 13, 2014 by justken Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bruce johnson Report post Posted September 13, 2014 It depends, and on this model - it REALLY depends. Without more pictures it is hard to say much. They need to have a good "grip" when you release the handles to hold the position. Besides a strong spring if the corners of the slots in the pliers are rounded over or not fitted up, it can wander some. The two eccentric wheels that raise and lower the blade are joined by a square shaft, That shaft can twist if a lot of torque has been put on one side or the other. Then you get to the blade condition. A good full blade is a plus. When you have a good tight one they really are fun to use and make a nice splitter. I have joked with people about them. I say that I bought all I could for $100 each so I can take parts from three of them to make one up and sell it for $200. Sometimes that is pretty damn true. Once in a while I do get a nice one that is good and tight. Currently I sell that kind for $300 - gone through, refurbished, and ready to use. At the worst, as long as one is square, even with a poor grip, they are no different than a lower cost splitter/skiver currently sold. They are a one handed unit at that point - one hand pushes the handle forward to keep the roller against the depth stop while the other hand pulls the leather. You can raise the stop and they make a dandy skiver and especially a lap skiver. Ones in that condition go for $150 - 200 right now depending on blade. I sell those mainly as a companions for a someone who has a Krebs, Chase, or Osborne #86 splitter but still has the need to do some lap skives too. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
justken Report post Posted September 13, 2014 Thank you!.... Using a IPhone and don't know how to reduce pictures to fit on here yet... I picked this one up for making lace and for using as a lap skiver.... Is the handle spring the same size as the replacement springs for rot wry punches?... Look about the same... Checked what you pointed out and everything looks good... My main splitter is a American hand crank and it doesn't like to do thin lace Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
