Replies

1. 
   derekcohen | Feb 08, 2007 06:11pm | #1

   It is designed to work leather, not wood.

   Regards from Perth

   Derek

1. 
   kelvinpot | Feb 08, 2007 08:23pm | #2

   Thats a start. Do you recognize it? and is it missing parts? How would it function in that regard? Appreciate the help.
   Thanks
   kelvin

1. 
   Patto | Feb 09, 2007 12:07am | #3

   Used by boot makers to trim around a new sole and saddlers to chamfer and edge on large pieces such as where the flaps are inserted.

2. 
   teabags | Feb 09, 2007 01:08am | #4

   hello .the item shown are joiners shaves, but they are missing the blade.The steel bar remaining would be adjusted to open or close the throat and the blade  is moved up or down for the thickness of cut . I have two very similar and on the cast handles is a number I believe to show differing sizes,its been snowing here(not going out tonight) so i will check the makers name tomorrow.regards Teabag. mid wales u.k.

1. 
   kelvinpot | Feb 09, 2007 01:28am | #5

   Hmmm. Joiners shave? Would that be for wood? This does seem to make sense, as the little bar that is left is adjustable for the mouth. What shape would the blade have? I see 2 sets of set screws in the mouth where the blade would be, are these all that would affix the blade? It would appear that the blade would be just straight like a scraper? Or hooked somehow?As for leather, this maker's name is assocaited with other leather tools that i've seen on internet research, so this would make sense. I guess the shape of the blade would let me know quite a bit about its purpose.Thanks all for any input, anybody else?
   kelvin

3. 
   teabags | Feb 11, 2007 03:24pm | #6

   hello again .I have been into workshop and attached are photos of my shave/spoke shaves.  Looking at your shave again it looks as if the blade was wider and adjustable towards the mouth. I purchased mine about 6 months ago off Ebay and have used to shape seat of windsor chair (beech).

   Regards Teabag.

    

    

    

   
1. 
   chamfer | Feb 11, 2007 06:44pm | #7

   Hi Kelvin,Your shave is based on U.S. P. N. 99,466, issued to Sumner Packard, of Grafton, Mass., February 1, 1870. The patent is for an "Improvement in Boot and Shoe-Shaves." If you're interested, here is the link to the DATAMP entry for this patent:http://www.datamp.org/displayPatent.php?number=99466&typeCode=0Unfortunately, the relatively unique blade of your shoe shave is missing, and I suspect it would be pretty difficult to find a replacement. A careful study of the patent drawings should give you a little idea, though, of its likely appearance. What looks as if it might be a blade, is actually the adjustable shoe shown in the patent drawings.Hope this helps. And, I am wondering if I could have your permission to use at least one of your images to add to the DATAMP entry?Don McConnell
   Eureka Springs, AR

   Edited 2/11/2007 11:22 am ET by chamfer

1. 
   teabags | Feb 11, 2007 11:08pm | #8

   hello chamfer. what superb research! and evidence for leather workers shave ,I wonder if the shaves I have were intended for leather work? although the one I have so far used worked o'k on beech. As the Patent is for "improved shave" could the pair I have, have been made earlier.

   regards Teabag

1. 
   chamfer | Feb 12, 2007 07:01pm | #9

   Hi Teabags,Based on the fact that your shaves are marked "L. Richter & Son/Northampton", I've been able to put together a tentative time-line, based on directory listings, for the firm which made your tools. In each instance, the firm is listed as "Shoemakers' Tool Makers" - which indicates, pretty conclusively, the original purpose for which your shaves were made.Linus RICHTER Northampton 1890 - 1894
   96 Wellingborough RoadRICHTER & SON Northampton 1898 - 1914
   96 Wellingborough Road [1898]
   88 Wellingborough Road [1903 - 1914]As I said, this is a tentative time-line. Linus may have been in business before 1890 and Richter and Son may have been in business after 1914. But, for the purposes of dating your shaves, it seems they were not likely made before 1894, as Linus' son seems to have joined the firm some time between that date and 1898. And we know they could have been made as late as 1914, possibly later.Judging by the Northamptonshire directories of that period, Northampton seems to have been something of a shoemaking center, much as some areas of Massachusetts on this side of "the pond."Hope this has been of some interest.Don McConnell
   Eureka Springs, AR

1. 
   teabags | Feb 13, 2007 01:58am | #11

   Thanks for your information on my shaves. When I made the comment " what sort of leatherwork would require such large radius etc," the brains in this house  said" would they not have been used to make the wooden lasts that shoes and boots were shaped around". eureka !!!!!!!! we have the connection .

       regards Teabag. and thanks again.

2. 
   kelvinpot | Feb 13, 2007 02:19am | #12

   Sure, please use the photos. Thanks for the info. maybe i can make this into a scraper type holder. Hmmmm. Have to see the pics of the blade. It must be bent somehow.
   Kelvin

4. 
   mvflaim | Feb 12, 2007 10:03pm | #10

   It looks like a Snell and Atherton spokeshave used for making leather shoes.. I've owned a couple that look exactly like the one in the pictures.