Joseph Dixon Tools

[jcuk]

I believe the quality of Dixon dropped off towards the end, sorry to say, having said that there are good ones out there if you look long and hard enough. The ones i have are older. Here a link to a splitter i would be interested if i did not already have two splitters already ( Osborne ) would maybe swap both for this not sure if this was a older one or a later one, there was another one yesterday that was owned by a retiring saddler which may have been a older version and it was cheaper too, not there anymore. Also George Barnsley are making good no nonsense tools in the UK, but no splitters.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/124958218377?hash=item1d18171889:g:1-YAAOSwNathbAYn 

https://www.georgebarnsleyandsons.co.uk

Not cheap i know but i would take this over any of the newer ones anytime.

Hope this helps

JCUK

 

Edited October 20, 2021 by jcuk

[jcuk]

21 hours ago, KathrynHD said:

Hello...reading about Dixons tools....were the Dixons tools sold later as good as the old vintage ones.  Would you buy a new leather splitter or something like a Joseph Dixon splitter?  Are all Joseph Dixon splitters regardless of age well made? I love the old style splitters but they seem very expensive and would appreciate any opinions or advice.  Thank you...Kathryn

Sorry did not quote in above post so please read above 

Edited October 20, 2021 by jcuk

[Cumberland Highpower]

The very late Dixon tools fell off some in quality...But who's hasn't?   Osborne's quality certainly has.

I recently sold a very old Dixon splitter (Same as the late model) to a fellow and while it was over 100 years old, I found the quality to be about the same as the recent models.  Meaning to say, made of good materials, but workmanship a bit rough around the edges....

Sometimes those old tools weren't always as good as we'd like to think they were.  Dixon is generally a good brand of leatherworking tooling.  I'd buy anything marked Dixon if the price is fair.

[KathrynHD]

Thank you for your reply.  That is the one I am interested in...so at a reduction on that price you would go for it?

Kathryn

 

14 hours ago, jcuk said:

I believe the quality of Dixon dropped off towards the end, sorry to say, having said that there are good ones out there if you look long and hard enough. The ones i have are older. Here a link to a splitter i would be interested if i did not already have two splitters already ( Osborne ) would maybe swap both for this not sure if this was a older one or a later one, there was another one yesterday that was owned by a retiring saddler which may have been a older version and it was cheaper too, not there anymore. Also George Barnsley are making good no nonsense tools in the UK, but no splitters.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/124958218377?hash=item1d18171889:g:1-YAAOSwNathbAYn 

https://www.georgebarnsleyandsons.co.uk

Not cheap i know but i would take this over any of the newer ones anytime.

Hope this helps

JCUK

 

I forgot to quote on my post I just sent too.....the one you mention is the one I was looking at...it's 1993

[jcuk]

13 minutes ago, KathrynHD said:

Thank you for your reply.  That is the one I am interested in...so at a reduction on that price you would go for it?

Kathryn

 

I forgot to quote on my post I just sent too.....the one you mention is the one I was looking at...it's 1993

One thing i would say ask the seller if he could get a better pic of the blade because if thats gone could be hard to replace and expensive if you can, from the pics already there it looks good and yes as i said if i was in the market for another splitter i would make a offer, even at that price if you are serious about getting into leather work it should be a great buy. My first splitter i got was a Osborne no 86 still have it 25+ years later still works a treat .

Hope this helps

JCUK

  

[Cumberland Highpower]

Personally I find the splitter in the link at the top to be somewhat overly priced??

I sold the one I had in September on Ebay auction type listing and it went for $310.   I was very satisfied with the price realized.  I never used it.

They're a very heavy cast iron frame machine.   I happen to still have a pair of Osborne 86's Jcuk, and kind of like you have had it for some time.  The 86 is a smaller machine than the Dixon and to be honest I prefer an Osborne.  The Dixon doesn't do anything the Osborne doesn't.  I paid $25 and $20 respectively for my 86's at an auction.

Here is a pic of the one I sold (Nothing wrong with the blade, just the lighting):

Edited October 21, 2021 by Cumberland Highpower

[KathrynHD]

Sorry to keep asking questions   He says the blade is sharp but would need to be kept sharp which obviously I am aware of....I did wonder about a photo of the blade as that could be a deal breaker so will ask....my question is kind of a repeat but my dilemma was to wait a bit and get a new Osborne 86 or 84  they do an 86a now too (old ones dont seem to come up)....but just to check I am reading you right, you reckon the 1993 Dixon splitter would be a better bet than a new Osborne?  Very much appreciate your responses.

 

And yes it does help

 

Kathryn x

37 minutes ago, jcuk said:

One thing i would say ask the seller if he could get a better pic of the blade because if thats gone could be hard to replace and expensive if you can, from the pics already there it looks good and yes as i said if i was in the market for another splitter i would make a offer, even at that price if you are serious about getting into leather work it should be a great buy. My first splitter i got was a Osborne no 86 still have it 25+ years later still works a treat .

Hope this helps

JCUK

  

I forgot to quote again....my reply is below 

[KathrynHD]

2 minutes ago, Cumberland Highpower said:

Personally I find the splitter in the link at the top to be somewhat high?  
I sold the one I had in September on Ebay auction type listing and it went for $310.   I was satisfied with the price realized.  I never used it.

They're a very heavy cast iron frame machine.   I happen to still have a pair of Osborne 86's Jcuk, and kind of like you have had it for some time.  The 86 is a smaller machine than the Dixon and to be honest I prefer an Osborne.  The Dixon doesn't do anything the Osborne doesn't.  I paid $25 and $20 respectively for my 86's at an auction.

Here is a pic of the one I sold (Nothing wrong with the blade, just the lighting):

Yes I feel it may be a bit high, I have offered lower but he has counter offered...in a bit of a dilemma.  I love the old machines but I just want something to do a decent job and often the forums say the old tools are the best...but is 1993 counted as old school??  It doesn't seem the Osborne's come up used very often, unless I have missed them.  I do have an alert on ebay but sounds like I have missed some mentioned here.

[Cumberland Highpower]

1993 seems just fine to me.  The machine in your picture looks pretty good.   But the price is excessive.  That's $700 US!   
I'd not pay that for a Dixon splitter.  

Why not buy a Heritage 8" splitter from Weaver Leather?  They're made in the US and well built and can also do lap skiving.  If you sign up for a dealer/wholesale account with Weaver the wholesale price is about $260 lower than the Dixon you're looking at.   They also seem to be made/machined much more precisely than the Dixon Splitter.

Maybe postage and UK import tax is a bit high....Just an idea.   

With all those long bust/defunct leatherworking shops in the UK, I'd be inclined to believe every flea market in England would be awash with surplus tools...

Edited October 21, 2021 by Cumberland Highpower

[KathrynHD]

19 minutes ago, Cumberland Highpower said:

1993 seems just fine to me.  The machine in your picture looks pretty good.   But the price is excessive.  That's $700 US!   
I'd not pay that for a Dixon splitter.  

Why not buy a Heritage 8" splitter from Weaver Leather?  They're made in the US and well built and can also do lap skiving.  If you sign up for a dealer/wholesale account with Weaver the wholesale price is about $260 lower than the Dixon you're looking at.   They also seem to be made/machined much more precisely than the Dixon Splitter.

Maybe postage and UK import tax is a bit high....Just an idea.   

With all those long bust/defunct leatherworking shops in the UK, I'd be inclined to believe every flea market in England would be awash with surplus tools...

Okay thanks, I will have a look at that, open to all options ...just have to be mindful of the tax and customs when it arrives here...I got stung on some knives!!  they can add 20%  of the price paid plus around £20+  in charges on top of the postage you have paid to get it to the uk, not sure if it's been hyped up with all the situation we are all in or just that I haven't bought expensive items before. 

The used ones do seem  a bit overpriced here...but think it may be slowing down a bit... also no-one has snapped it up so far which makes you think it is too high. It says it's not used much. 

I will have a check on the Weaver ones and ask for a photo of the blade and decide what to do.

Re the car boot sales and markets  I think most people are pretty savvy if they have something to sell and Google it to see what they are worth.  Sure some items have been hyped by people getting carried away bidding too, but that's the same everywhere   Some of them go to collectors or renovators I think. 

Thanks again for your input, I will look at the Weaver website when I next have a coffee  

 

Kathryn