The early 17th century evidence (pre-slitting mill) from Sedgley West
Midlands is that 'slitter' was a distinct occupation in the nail trade. Of
course the practice in 1600 may well differ from 1400.
The standard article on the origin of the slitting mill (as Peter Hutchinson
reminded me privately) is by Rhys Jenkins in Collected Papers (1936) or The
Engineer 125 (1918), 445-6 486-9. However this says nothing which will
assist with your query.
Peter King
----- Original Message -----
From: Peter Hutchison <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: 06 November 2001 20:39
Subject: Re: Meaning of the term Slitting?
> Mark
>
> I don't think it is worth trying to cut thin steel srip with a chisel. It
is
> possible to cut thin strips from up to .110 ins mild steel with a 12" hand
> shear much more quickly than you would do it with a chisel. The strips
are.
> of course, curly and not very uniform in width. Cutting with a chisel will
> be worse. Light drawing should cure this.
>
> As I pointed out in my reply to Peter King we would find most of the work
in
> Medieval times to be a pain. I expect some lad did the cutting anyway not
> the armourer.
>
> There may be some doubt about the exact date of the first slitting mill
but
> the chances of it being before the second half of the 16th century are
very
> small indeed.
>
> Peter Hutchison
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