Anybody out there a fan of vintage meat cleavers or lamb splitters???

Found in Mother's basement. Still in cleanup process:

img0325to.jpg
 
Oooooohhh that's a lucky mark right there. Treasure that. I know I would.
 
I saw this, and had to register. The original topic was about lamb splitters. I have two, in fact (in addition to another cleaver I'm working on fixing). Both I got at a junk store. One was $5, the other $10. Got them a few months apart. They work really well for outdoor work. The second one I got especially. It's around 20" overall length, and has a nice lean grind on it. It's a more efficient chopper than most of my hand axes, though I feel I have more control with a hand axe overall. The first one is a decent chopper, but is shorter, and isn't ground as thinly, so it doesn't bite as deep.

Both were in really rough, ugly shape when I got them, but a bit of patience and a belt sander let me sort them out. The first one I replaced the scales on. The second one didn't need the scales replaced. Ground a lot of pitting and rust out of both blades.

villageblacksmithknifeb.jpg

Top knife is one I made, and is a foot long, for a size reference. This is the smaller of the two lamb splitters. Before and after pic. New handle is eucalyptus.

knifebeforeafter.jpg

The bigger of the two lamb splitters. Another before and after pic. This knife is perhaps two or three inches longer than the other lamb splitter.

I absolutely love both of these knives, now that I've got them in working shape again. It's a pity they were so badly neglected, but it did mean I got two quality blades to work with for almost no money. Both are durable, and made of fantastic quality steel. Pretty sure they were both hammered out by hand, too. The first one is made by Village Blacksmith, and the second by Foster Bros. I dunno the exact age of either, but both are at the very least 60 years old, and might well be over a hundred years old.
 
Absolutely beautiful! Is it just me or should Condor come out with one of those? They always remind me of Hudson Bay knives on steroids.
 
Hey gang, I've had this 2-handed splitter for a while now and have been thinking about cleaning it up, removing the rust, repairing the edge, etc. It definitely needs new handle slabs and there is a lot of rust on the blade. Do you think I should do it?

2012-11-18_09-42-20_873.jpg
 
gooeytek said:
Hey gang, I've had this 2-handed splitter for a while now and have been thinking about cleaning it up, removing the rust, repairing the edge, etc. It definitely needs new handle slabs and there is a lot of rust on the blade. Do you think I should do it?

2012-11-18_09-42-20_873.jpg
Click to expand...

I think you should send it to me.:D I've been lookin for one of them for a long time. Nice find. Go for it!
 
Thanks. Think it would be ok to do the handle scales with micarta or G10? Or should I stick to wood? Anyone know a source for some pieces long enough? I think the scales are around 14" long.
 
Here is a before shot. This was given to me & i LOVE it. Thanks again DPKnives & who ever gave it to you. :thumbup::thumbup: :D


100_1461.jpg


100_1468.jpg



After pics. Superior Quality, Lancaster Machine & Knife Works, made between 1890 & 1940. 1/2" thick. It has a heat treat hamon on the blade, not real common back then i guess. In it's day, this Company was "the bomb." Everyone else compared theirs to them.


100_1469.jpg


100_1466.jpg
 
I acquired this the other day at a barn sale. The man also had a beef splitter, but did not want to part with it for sentimental reasons.

IMG_1020.jpg


I know nothing about it, so if anyone knows who made it or when, that would be appreciated. The knife is a full size kabar for size comparison.
 
Forget the copper! I like that F. Dick steel! :D And that is one gorgeous cleaver. Great lines on it and the patination of the wooden handle is lovely!
 
This 10" blade Briddell is next up for clean-up. Sitting top is my smallest cleaver :)

100_0265.jpg
 
I had a Gerber Balance Plus cleaver that I thought was the bee's knees, but sadly, a temporary house guest made off with it. I don't know who got it, but they don't want me to find out. So, after searching a long time, I found the same basic knife with wood scales and picked it up. I like it a lot too, but it doesn't really ease the pain of being ripped off by a "friend" or family member.

Novemberknives001.jpg


Tomsch, that looks like a scale model of a cleaver...

Ed J
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top