Randal and Osborne Splitters

[Rossr]

On 11/12/2017 at 9:11 PM, dragonhawke said:

Absolutely you should clean them up, sharpen the blade and take them out for a test drive. The one with the cast handle looks like you slide it in/out for depth adjustment and lock knob on the left to retain the setting, maybe? Would also love to get my hands on it to completely measure, draw, 3d model and cast it in aluminium or brass.

I realized I didn't respond to you Dragon.  Yes the cast handle slide out to adjust the roller up or down.  and the screw is a stop that can be adjusted so you do not go up too far.

[Rossr]

7 hours ago, bruce johnson said:

Looks good. Shim between the blade and frame to raise the low side up. Sharpen with your fine abrasive of choice going through the grits to end  with a clean mirror finish. Flat on the bottom, follow the bevel on top. Blades don't have to be around water to pit. Acids in leather can do it, hand carboned steel will pit some, Work it until you have a clean edge with not pitting on the edge or just behind it. Pits further up usually are worked out before they get to be an edge. 

Bruce,

 

You are a wealth of information.   You should write a book!   I also have read through your tutorials and information sheets on your site.  Thanks for those they are very useful!

I am not familiar with hand carboned steel?   I did a google search and didnt find anything.  I am curious what that is or means.  I am familiar with carbon steel. Such as 1084 or 1095   I use mostly o-1 tool steel now to make hunting knives.  

 

On the sharpening I suspected as much about following the angle.  Hopefully I will get some time to sharpen it in the next few days

 

Thanks

Ross

Edited November 21, 2017 by Rossr

[bruce johnson]

Ross,

I am not a metallurgist, but here it how it was explained to me. These and Chase pattern are among the oldest style splitters and according to a couple old guys that taught me, the steel was small batch hand mixed crucible steel.  The carbon was not always evenly distributed and resulted in some areas that were a bit more prone to pitting. Also Rose knives can be the same way. Still the resulting steel is pretty hard good edge retention.

[Rossr]

8 hours ago, bruce johnson said:

Ross,

I am not a metallurgist, but here it how it was explained to me. These and Chase pattern are among the oldest style splitters and according to a couple old guys that taught me, the steel was small batch hand mixed crucible steel.  The carbon was not always evenly distributed and resulted in some areas that were a bit more prone to pitting. Also Rose knives can be the same way. Still the resulting steel is pretty hard good edge retention.

Interesting stuff.  I make custom knives but I am far from a metallurgist myself.    Any idea how old the wood bottom one would be or what years about?    I noticed there was some rust and pitting on the frame too.   But I see your point on the types of leather and age in generalas well as the steel.       Plus I have no way to know last this was used or anything.  

I like bringing these old tools back to life, or for that matter any old tools,   nice to know there are some things that last still!

 

Ross

[bruce johnson]

Ross,

My oldest original catalog is and 1895 and the wood bottom (model #87) is in there. One of my friends told me that they seemed to have dropped out in about 1910 or so. I have several frames but mostly wore out blades. Not worth the price to get new blades made for them at present. When I do get a good one, they sell to Australia. These make a nice splitter and the Australians seem to have a penchant for them.

 

[Rossr]

7 minutes ago, bruce johnson said:

Ross,

My oldest original catalog is and 1895 and the wood bottom (model #87) is in there. One of my friends told me that they seemed to have dropped out in about 1910 or so. I have several frames but mostly wore out blades. Not worth the price to get new blades made for them at present. When I do get a good one, they sell to Australia. These make a nice splitter and the Australians seem to have a penchant for them.

 

Wow didnt realize just how old it really is.....Well I dont know if my blade is worn out but its seen a lot of use for sure.

 

 

[Rossr]

Well I got the wood bottom one all sharpened up and today and she now works.   Then I went and took apart the randall got it all cleaned and painted up.  Below is the taken apart picture, I will post one when its all back together.

 

Ross

 

[Rossr]

 

There we have it folks,   Got the second one put back together today and its works!     I think they both came out just fine.

 

Ross

[bruce johnson]

Looks great, Ross! You will like it!

[Rossr]

15 minutes ago, bruce johnson said:

Looks great, Ross! You will like it!

Thanks Bruce.  I see what you meant about some tricky spots on it getting them apart.  But not to bad at all.   Now I just need to mount it in the shop

Ross