Thickness Splitters: (Makers other than C.S. Osborne)
Use:
The thickness splitter is used to split down leather to a thinner thickness. A saddler that would buy large quantites of full thickness saddle skirting leather, could use a splitter to make his scrap leather into smaller tack items or cases etc... Most splitters are adjustable to constant thicknesses. Some also have provisions to make lap skives that can create tapered splits.
Toolmaker: H. F. Osborne Co., "Osborne Patent Tool"
- A clearly marked "H. F. OSBORNE NEWARK N.J." and "TRADE OPT MARK" splitter.
- An 1891 H.F. Osborne catalogue, lists this tool as a "615 -- Knives, New Pat'n, Iron Frame". It also was avalible in sizes from 5", 6", 7", 8", 9" and 10" sizes.
Toolmaker: E. Nolmes
- A small 4.5" splitter, marked "E. NOLMES LYNN MASS" cast into the body.
Toolmaker: Unknown
- A well used, 8 inch splitter, unknown maker.
- The tapered bar can slide left to right to move the roller up and down. A threaded stop on the left can set the minimum thickness.
