Antique Plug Cutter

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cranseiron

Part of the Furniture Now
May 17, 2013
586
49
McHenry, MS
Hi all,

There's been some discussion on plug type tobacco lately, UK vs. US, etc. and I enjoy working with plugs myself even though they are a bit more troublesome. I got this antique plug cutter off ebay a couple of months ago, already restored, for only $65. They had been going for twice that so persistence paid off. The first photo shows a 5mm socket which makes the slices I cut about 2mm-- not bad!
img_20170310_105156085-600x337.jpg
img_20170310_1048315511-600x337.jpg
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oldreddog

Part of the Furniture Now
Sep 4, 2014
923
6
Any post with a plug of condor in it is a winner for me.
The cutter is not to shabby either.

 

mcitinner1

Lifer
Apr 5, 2014
4,043
24
Missouri
img_1484-600x400.jpg

That IS a good price, especially with a new blade. I have this one of the same style that's just cleaned up well. The blade has some rust pits in it still, but works just fine. I paid $50 for it at a second hand shop.

 

aquadoc

Lifer
Feb 15, 2017
2,044
1,522
New Hampshire, USA
Would these have been found in a shop and the tobacco sold by the slice or did you buy the plug and the shop volunteer to let you cut the plug as you wanted or cut it for you?
Cool tool!

 

aldecaker

Lifer
Feb 13, 2015
4,407
42
Alright, that's it. One more thread titled "Antique Plug Cutter" and I'm starting in with the Metamucil jokes. You have been warned.

 

cranseiron

Part of the Furniture Now
May 17, 2013
586
49
McHenry, MS
aquadoc, I'm only guessing, but I would think they were found in shops for cutting plug sizes per customer request. Back when these things were in use heavily most folks probably didn't have money for such things when a pocket knife would do just fine. Also, there are 1,2 and 3 inch measurement lines on the base to gauge plug size-- maybe another indicator of commercial use?

 

philobeddoe

Lifer
Oct 31, 2011
7,404
11,578
East Indiana
I always assumed these were used at tobacconists and general stores that sold rope tobacco, so that a customer could buy his tobacco by the inch, these guillotine style cutters were easier than a knife for both male and female clerks to use and kept the customers hands off of the tobacco. BTW...I too am now wanting one!

 

mawnansmiff

Lifer
Oct 14, 2015
7,385
7,295
Sunny Cornwall, UK.
That is one lovely plug cutter Eric, just the sort I am hunting for on this side of the pond :puffy:
And yes, I think you are correct with the inches thing as plugs and ropes were originally sold by linear inch rather than ounces in weight.
Regards,
Jay.

 

madox07

Lifer
Dec 12, 2016
1,823
1,689
This has certainly been manufactured for tobacco shop use .. It looks overkill for home use ..

 

mortonbriar

Lifer
Oct 25, 2013
2,652
5,662
New Zealand
I just found a lovely one at an antique store in Canada, but it was $120, probably a fair retail price for the shop but not the kind of money I can throw around on 'accessories'
Isaac

 

jravenwood

Can't Leave
Apr 23, 2017
430
84
Very cool find, and congratulations with the killer price for it. Another very cool piece of piping history..

 

mawnansmiff

Lifer
Oct 14, 2015
7,385
7,295
Sunny Cornwall, UK.
"It looks overkill for home use."
Madox, overkill or not (which I would disagree with) I think every plug smoker should have one.
I scour Ebay UK weekly seeking out a decent plug cutter...no luck yet but my day will come :puffy:
Regards,
Jay.

 
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