A cutter ... to cut what ?

fernando · 11th September 2022, 02:55 PM

I realize this has to do with tobacco (smoking) artifacts, as influenced by the (Dutch i guess) maker's name SAMSON. Whatever it cuts, it cuts something; not cigars, as the admitter is too narrow; even too narrow for cigarrettes. Could it be for cutting filters, out of a rod ? The working steps comprehend (1) to introduce the whatever material and hold it inside the device with the intended length(1 and 1a) by turning up the striated front part; only leaving a very narrow section. Then we open and turn up the upper bar by releasing its back lock (2, 2a, 2b). Next thing you we close the bar and the V shape blade it has will meet its counterpart on the device base, dropping the whatever cut off bit through the bottom opening (3).
Any ideas, Gentlemen ?

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drdavid · 11th September 2022, 10:56 PM

I suspect it is a quill cutter? Also I think you meant Samson not Samsung.
DrD

Rick · 12th September 2022, 04:32 AM

I think DrD has ID'd this.
Photo 2b makes a good argument for it being a quill cutter. Quite often these little tools had a very small knife included to clear the fibers inside the quill. I wonder if the angular slots on the part marked Samson were to square the point after cutting the quill.
The sharp parts look like they'd be the very Devil to re-sharpen.

fernando · 12th September 2022, 11:51 AM

Thank you so much, DrD and Rick, for cracking this riddle.
Also tank you for the SAMSON name correction; i was thinking of my cell phone

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Now that i know what it is, i went looking in the Web and the small knife in the device tail often appears. This one is a different apparatus in format, apparently not so easy to find. I will consider the angular slots on the upper part as having a purpose, like suggested.
By the fine looking of this thing, gold plated and carefully decorated, i would place it in the 19th. century. Would you Gentlemen agree ?

Rick · 12th September 2022, 08:42 PM

Agree Fernando, possibly early 19thC.
Steel nibs were first commercially manufactured in 1822.

From the Itinerant Scribe site:
You find history’s first hint of metal nibs in a 1792 ad, The Times offering ‘New invented’ metal pens. Then in 1822, John Mitchell of Birmingham, England, began making large quantity steel pen nibs. They were easily produced, affordable, had uniform tip sizes, outlasted quills, and didn’t need recutting. They soon became the favored, replacing the long-serving feather quill.

fernando · 13th September 2022, 10:31 AM

Excelent notes, Rick. Thank you my friend

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11th September 2022, 02:55 PM	#1
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	A cutter ... to cut what ? I realize this has to do with tobacco (smoking) artifacts, as influenced by the (Dutch i guess) maker's name SAMSON. Whatever it cuts, it cuts something; not cigars, as the admitter is too narrow; even too narrow for cigarrettes. Could it be for cutting filters, out of a rod ? The working steps comprehend (1) to introduce the whatever material and hold it inside the device with the intended length(1 and 1a) by turning up the striated front part; only leaving a very narrow section. Then we open and turn up the upper bar by releasing its back lock (2, 2a, 2b). Next thing you we close the bar and the V shape blade it has will meet its counterpart on the device base, dropping the whatever cut off bit through the bottom opening (3). Any ideas, Gentlemen ? . Attached Images Last edited by fernando; 12th September 2022 at 08:29 AM. Reason: Spell

12th September 2022, 04:32 AM	#3
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,293	I think DrD has ID'd this. Photo 2b makes a good argument for it being a quill cutter. Quite often these little tools had a very small knife included to clear the fibers inside the quill. I wonder if the angular slots on the part marked Samson were to square the point after cutting the quill. The sharp parts look like they'd be the very Devil to re-sharpen. Last edited by Rick; 12th September 2022 at 04:44 AM.

11th September 2022, 10:56 PM	#2
drdavid Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Australia Posts: 371	I suspect it is a quill cutter? Also I think you meant Samson not Samsung. DrD

12th September 2022, 11:51 AM	#4
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Thank you so much, DrD and Rick, for cracking this riddle. Also tank you for the SAMSON name correction; i was thinking of my cell phone . Now that i know what it is, i went looking in the Web and the small knife in the device tail often appears. This one is a different apparatus in format, apparently not so easy to find. I will consider the angular slots on the upper part as having a purpose, like suggested. By the fine looking of this thing, gold plated and carefully decorated, i would place it in the 19th. century. Would you Gentlemen agree ?

12th September 2022, 08:42 PM	#5
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,293	Agree Fernando, possibly early 19thC. Steel nibs were first commercially manufactured in 1822. From the Itinerant Scribe site: You find history’s first hint of metal nibs in a 1792 ad, The Times offering ‘New invented’ metal pens. Then in 1822, John Mitchell of Birmingham, England, began making large quantity steel pen nibs. They were easily produced, affordable, had uniform tip sizes, outlasted quills, and didn’t need recutting. They soon became the favored, replacing the long-serving feather quill.

13th September 2022, 10:31 AM	#6
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Excelent notes, Rick. Thank you my friend .