Hello everyone! I recently bought an Osborne 84 Splitter. Since I have started leathercraft, I always saw this model in books and it was clear to me that I want this one day.
Now I thought it was time to buy one and found it for a good price at H Webber and Sons compared to other sources for about 550Pounds (in comparison to over 800Pounds or over 900€ at other sources). And the shipping to Germany is only about 9 Pounds.
H Webber is really helpfull, answered quickly and seems to be very professional. I ordered a few scissors as well and the Osborne scratch compass.
Yesterday I got the parcel and was VERY excited!!! I read something like 'all tools are tested in the factory' and unwrapped it. I was so disappointed!!! It is so badly made!
Besides the very bad bubbled laquer, the machine is not precise. When the blade is attached, it is higher on one side than the other and it seems that there is a slight bow. When I have a piece of leather that just fits tight on one side of the blade moving it towards to the middle it gets stuck and on the other side it is loose. Where the blade sits on, these areas are very unprecise and just meet the base and screw on just a few points instead of an area to be very secured in place. Another problem is, that the holes on the blade for the screws are so wide apart, that when you tighten the screw its almost impossible that the blade is not moved by the screws. The spring that holds against the handle doesnt fit and scratches at the side of the frame instead.
I contacted H Webber and asked for a refund and they said based on the pictures that this splitter should have never left the factory of Osborne. They were very nice and professional, they also offered a replacement of a splitter that they inspect this time. First I was like 'nomore Osborne' but now I think I will test the replacement and see if there is a big difference. Because I once signed for that Paypal service to get payed worldwide return shipping costs I have nothing to lose...
So here are a few pictures...
For those owning an Osborne splitter: what do you think about your splitter? would you buy it again?
it is collecting dust at the moment, wondering whether to sell it, or take it to bits and see if putting it back together helps. maybe even just have a weekend splitting lots of scrap leather, see if i get better with it.
wish i had bought a bell skiving machine instead, as they are not much more here in the UK.
anyway, like you say, they seem to fetch very strong money the ones i have seen for sale on ebay.