Joseph Dixon Tools

[badger]

Hi Everyone,

Does anyone here use tools made by the Joseph Dixon Company in the UK?

I'm UK based and want to get some decent edgers, standard and round bottom. Do Dixons make good tools?

Are some of their tools Ok and others not? The make strip knives and cutting boards for the leather industry as well.

Cheers,

Karl

Edited November 18, 2008 by badger

[UKRay]

Karl,

If you see tools made by Joseph Dixon just buy them - any you don't want I will gladly buy from you!

I have a very old Dixon round knife that sharpens like a dream and holds its edge for ages. My edgers are a bit of a mixture but my all time favourite is a Dixon number 3 simply because it works nicely. I also have some Dixon punches and a gorgeous wooden handled circle/washer cutter.

IMHO, they are the best old leatherworking tools you can buy. I just wish I could find a plough gauge at the right price.

R.

[badger]

Ray,

Thanks for that.

I have a really old round knife by them, but nothing new.

I was going to put in an order and buy direct from the company, rather than try to find old tools.

Do you like the Hollow Edge Shaves they make?

Cheers,

Karl

[pete]

when I was a teen my mother bought me a box from a famous auction house in San Francisco. Inside was about 15 DIXON leather tools. There are a few knives, a ratchet screwdriver, and 7-8 edgers #1-7.

All are un-useable as the edgers are pitted or the toes are slightly bent but all could be restored easily. The knives are like barbers razors but the tangs are loose.

Is there a market for these/are they worth repairing and who would do it?

I would love to be able to use them. The HAVE to work better than my TLF tools and I'm sure compete with Bob Beard and others.

Plus, the wood handles are superb and I have a thing about using " antique" stuff.

pete

[barra]

Most of my tools are old Joseph Dixon. They outlasted one 94 year old saddler and They will outlast me. I have had to replace a few over the years, mainly due to them being misplaced during moves. The moderns are absolutely fine but there is just something special about the quality of the old. You may find others have similar experience with old verses new Osbornes etc.

Don't expect to pay Tandy prices.

Barra

[badger]

Hey, I don't mind spending good money on a good tool....

Thanks for all the input.

Order going in tomorrow.

Cheers,

Karl

[UKRay]

Before you spend on new tools keep an eye on eBay for a couple of weeks. I have picked up some lovely Dixon tools over the past few years.

Re-fettling these tools is not difficult. Just take a bit of time to restore the edge and live with the surface pitting. The old knives work just as well and the satisfaction of using a tool that is a hundred years old is priceless.

R.

[celticleather]

Karl

I'm a great fan of Dixon tools, and over the years I've accumulated quite a collection - everything from splitters to pricking irons - including three plough gauges (sshh . . . don't tell Ray!).

Having said that, I'm also very keen on some of the Osborne tools, particularly their hand-punches - solid forged steel - and their head knives. My best recent purchase has been an Osborne chase splitter that I bought from our friend Bruce Johnson. It's a beautifully engineered tool that produces a completely controllable split. What a pity the design is no longer in production!

Ray's advice about looking on eBay is very sound, but be careful not to get lulled into paying over the odds (I wonder how often Ray and I have been bidding against each other!). You'd be surprised how many people think that head knives are herb choppers!

Small local auctions and boot sales can also be productive. I once bought a boxful of saddler's tools from a house clearance for £15.00; when I priced them up at current-day prices they were worth about £750.00!

Once again I would repeat Ray's advice . . . if it's made by Dixon - buy it!

Terry

[badger]

Thanks guys,

Good advice.

Cheers,

Karl

[KathrynHD]

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