Typesetter's Blade

[upnorth]

If I am reading Goins book correctly, this knife should be from before ca. 1910, when the name of the Chas. Langbein company changed names.
Most typesetters using old machines and methods, have never seen an awl like this one, but use a rigid (non-folding) awl to space and wedge their letters. Any comments or added knowledge would be appreciated.
I've also included some pics of a Schrade Walden version, and a catalog cut of same.

[useem]

When I was younger, I worked in for a newspaper/print shop. Nothing in the shop was newer than 1930's. I set type by hand and have never seen a knife with that kind of blade. Would definetly come in handy. Any of you ever set front page type by hand and pick up the plate that wasn't tightned down enough? Thats a lot of little letters to pick up off the floor Anyway, thats a great looking knife

[upnorth]

Nice to hear from someone with experience, useem! I am getting the impression that fixed blade tools were critical for the work, but if an awl was mislaid or "borrowed" having one of these in your pocket would help you meet the deadline !

[MITCH RAPP]

When I was younger, I worked in for a newspaper/print shop. Nothing in the shop was newer than 1930's. I set type by hand and have never seen a knife with that kind of blade. Would definetly come in handy. Any of you ever set front page type by hand and pick up the plate that wasn't tightned down enough? Thats a lot of little letters to pick up off the floor Anyway, thats a great looking knife

That's Funny! Useem; when I was a Kid, I also had a job as a Typesetter for our local Home town Daily Newspaper. That was a favorite Prank the Old Timers would like to play on the Young Guys. They would unlock the case you just hand set with type, (when your back was turned) right before you picked it up, so it would spill type. all over the floor.

[upnorth]

Sounds like you both worked in a place with good morale!!
Did you actually get anything printed, or did you spend your time picking up the "language"??

[Jacknife]

I was a Typesetter/Compositor.

I had a stick full of type in my hand one day when someone asked me where a workmate was. I pointed and said "He's in there" and all the type fell out of the stick onto the floor.

I have never seen a knife like you have there.
If I remember rightly we used tweezers with a spike on the top.

[upnorth]

I guess these folding tools were not too widespread. I hope someone who actually used one shows up some day !?!?

[CCBill]

I worked for an office supply company, in the 60's and was actually apprenticed to a man named Joe Autry that was a linotype operator. He taught me how to run that clinkin', clankin', clunkin' thing. We made and set a lot of type for the local newspaper, that was next door, the "Hereford Brand".
It amazed me how you could take the old, scrap lead, melt it and make what ever letters you wanted. It took both hands and both feet to run, kinda like playing an organ.
We used putty knives that had been ground down to a specific shape to space the letters.
I couldn't run one today, if I had to.
...CCBill...

[useem]

COOL!!!!!!!!! Somewhere, I have a picture of me running a linotype machine!!!!!!!! Many memories

[upnorth]

Post those pics!!!

[jonet143]

hey charlie, do ya think they could have used one of these if they could'nt find a typesetter knife?

[upnorth]

Might be thin enough, Johnnie! Schrade reground their punch to make the tool, giving it a long thin profile. The point on yours is pretty fine, but widens quicker. I'm no expert on their use, but if it was the only tool available, who knows. Probably wreck it for boring leather though !