Do I want a a bench or desk mounted splitter ?

[pete]

where do I look for Neel's? I on;y see a 12" $1800.00 model on their webpage?

pete

[esantoro]

you can see the same machine here

http://www.cowboysew.com/cp7.htm

Contact info for Ryan Neel is here:

http://www.neelsaddlery.com/index.html

but you have probably already been there.

[pete]

Heey folks- thank you all so much for your imput on splitters. I was thinking about the Neel's when" lo and behold" (yes some people still say things like that) I googled splitters and found what I think is a great one for $159.00. It's made by Awl Leather and they are direct or on ebay.(I don't trust e-bay)

Check it out for those of you who want a small 6" desk mount adjustable splitter that does thick to thin and is affordable.

I'll report on mine when I get it.

Thanks again to al. What a great place. Here's the page if you want to cut and paste it for

awlleatherworks.com

pea-aire'

here's a picture of the item itself. JUST WHAT I WOULD HAVE INVENTED!!

http://cgi.ebay.com/Quality-leather-splitt...1QQcmdZViewItem

[sheathmaker]

I was lucky enough to find one of the old original Landis splitters brand new in the box at the Boot and Saddle Maker's Round Up about 8 years ago. It is the best bench splitter I've ever used. They are not cheap, but they are accurate and do a fine job. It is only a six inch capacity and sometimes I wish for more, but it handles most all my knife sheath size chores. The link below shows a source and picture.

http://www.pilgrimshoemachine.com/leather_...machines_d.html

Paul

[Sjm1027]

I was looking in The Leather Crafters and Saddlers Journal and came across an add for Campbell Bosworth Keystone Splitter.

Wondering if anyone here has one and what they think of it?

Page 40 in the Nov/Dec issue.

Thanks

[bruce johnson]

The Cambell-Bosworth is the real thing in that style of splitter.

[Sjm1027]

The Cambell-Bosworth is the real thing in that style of splitter.

Hi Bruce, Thanks for your time... Can you elaborate on that... You mentioned this style of splitter... Do you have an opinion on this style of splitter?

I am only trying to narrow down a selection.

Thanks again

Steve

[bruce johnson]

The handled splitter like the Keystone or Osborne 84 is the most single versatile splitter. I am not sure that I have seen a new Osborne 84 listed anywhere for a while. You can easily set the depth, you can push on the handle as you pull the strap to do lap skives, and it has a good width. The only issue is that sometimes a strap will ride up the bevel of the blade and chop off. Not very often, just at a bad time. The lower end models or oldies can have a bent frame and not have the roller level with the blade. Some can be shimmed easily, others not.

That said, I like the old Chase pattern splitters. They haven't been made for a long time. Osbornes(s), Horn, Chase, and others made variations of them. They have two rollers top and bottom. If you adjust the blade so the edge sits right at the rollers, the leather has no place to go but straight into it. I have an 8" and 10" now. I can set them at different depths and do repeatable two level splitting. If they get out of level, you can raise one side or the other a tooth at time easily to relevel them. They really don't seem to sell for much on ebay relative to other splitters. Bob Douglas and I talked about that a while back. They just must be so different from what most people see as splitters today that they scare people off. The disadvantage of the Chase pattern splitters is that you can't easily do lap skives without a ramped jig. No issue for me, I have had Landis handcrank skiver to crank out lap skives and the dges of groundseat buildups for a while. Another piece of really handy equipment for me.

I am attaching a pic from my shop before I got the 10" splitter. They now sit side by side, and the handcrank splitter to the right in the picture is being sold. Good splitter, I just don't use it as much anymore. The handcrank skiver is the gray handcrank tool in the foreground to the left of the rein rounder. The 8" Chase pattern splitter is behind that on the left side of the bench. I like the Chase pattern splitters, but they are not for everybody.

[Jordan]

The older tools are facinating, the form and function looks like a lot of thought went into it, the design of the tools have an artisans touch, not so much these days, seems like they just bang them out as cheap and fast as they can.

[Sjm1027]

The older tools are facinating, the form and function looks like a lot of thought went into it, the design of the tools have an artisans touch, not so much these days, seems like they just bang them out as cheap and fast as they can.

Yes I agree Jordan, Just want to make sure before putting down 500+ dollars for a splitter (Campbell Bosworth Keystone Splitter) I want to make sure it is going to do what it is advertised to do and do it well.

Thanks for the answer Bruce

Steve