Author Topic: Saddlers pliers versus Lasting pliers  (Read 2676 times)

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Offline Plyerman

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Saddlers pliers versus Lasting pliers
« on: February 27, 2015, 09:44:00 AM »
My good friend and enabler Yadda pointed me towards this one recently. It's a nifty little 6-inch plier, with great big teeth, and a small hammer on one side. I assumed it was for shoemaker's. I've seen similar tools referred to as cobbler's pliers, or lasting pliers. But while browsing internet photos, the ones I found that resembled it most closely were called saddler's pliers, used by horse saddle makers. So I guess that's what it is?





Stamped numeral 1 THOMAS ADAM WARRANTED. I couldn't find any relevant information about Thomas Adam.






On the right is a pair of J. Knell cobbler's pliers. A common feature I see on these old tools is the "pass through" style plier pivot. It must have been a bugger to make them that way back then, but on the other hand it would be a very strong pivot design.

My friends call me Bob. My wife calls me a lot worse.

Offline jimwrench

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Re: Saddlers pliers versus Lasting pliers
« Reply #1 on: February 27, 2015, 09:46:53 AM »
 Very nice. Don't recall seeing the saddlers plier before. Another thing to watch for.
Jim
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Offline Yadda

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Re: Saddlers pliers versus Lasting pliers
« Reply #2 on: February 27, 2015, 01:28:37 PM »
They look even better in close up than they did in the auction photos.  Great buy!  You know I love to help other people spend their money since I have so little of my own.  :grin:
You might say I have a tool collecting problem....

Offline kxxr

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Re: Saddlers pliers versus Lasting pliers
« Reply #3 on: February 28, 2015, 08:52:06 AM »
From the Leatherworker.net forum I saw this mention of Thomas Adams:
G-day Mate I have the Dictionary of Leather working Tools, c.1700-1950 the only entry in the Dictionary is Thomas Adams (London and Walsall ).
No other entry found

Also, there is another Thomas Adams leather working tool on eBay right now and the seller says it came from a saddle and harness makers shop.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/M-THOMAS-ADAMS-Half-Round-Moon-Knife-Leather-Working-Tool-/331465493083?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4d2ce20a5b&nma=true&si=vl8Kl7o90dsABBIKFZLKdoODMCc%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

Offline kxxr

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Re: Saddlers pliers versus Lasting pliers
« Reply #4 on: February 28, 2015, 09:00:37 AM »
From Amazon:
In this marvelous book, Salaman describes and illustrates every tool used in the leather-working trades in Great Britain from about 1700 until the present time, and explains its purposeQall told, he covers over 1,100 different tools. As Dr. Daniel Preston comments in his preface to this reprint, RThere is not now, nor has there ever been, such a complete compendium of arcane, irreplaceable, and wonderful leatherania in the English language.S Covered here are tools of the Bookbinder, Boat and Shoe Maker, Clog Maker, Driving Belt Maker, Furrier, Glove Maker, Handbag & Purse Maker, Harness Maker and Saddler, Hat Maker, Loriner; and, among the miscellaneous trades, the Ball Maker, Coach Trimmer, Felt Maker, Hydraulic Pump-Leather Maker, Last and Boot Tree Maker, Parchment and Vellum Maker, Taxidermist, Whip Maker, and more besides. There are chapters on leather manufacture (TannerUs tools and CurrierUs tools) and on tools for the decoration of leather. Mr. Salaman's earlier book, Dictionary of Tools Used in the Woodworking and Allied Trades c. 1700-1970, emerged as a classic in its field and was hailed by reviewers in America and in Britain. The Dictionary of Leather-Working Tools is no less distinguished. With its great wealth of information and impeccable scholarship, it is invaluable to leatherworkers, tool collectors, and industrial researchers alike. 400 pages. 7" x 10". Completely illustrated. Soft cover.

Offline Plyerman

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Re: Saddlers pliers versus Lasting pliers
« Reply #5 on: February 28, 2015, 09:42:39 AM »
Ah, very good, thank you sir! Now that I search for Thomas Adams leather tools I get a few more hits. (The stamped letter "S" has apparently gone missing on my pliers)

And thank you for the book reference. If I can find a copy for a bit less money, I may just buy it.
My friends call me Bob. My wife calls me a lot worse.

Offline kxxr

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Re: Saddlers pliers versus Lasting pliers
« Reply #6 on: February 28, 2015, 09:54:48 AM »
This one might be good too.