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>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 > >From: Peter Hutchison <[log in to unmask]> > >> 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 Thank you Peter K and Peter H for your references and the proper dating on slitting mills. I agree that on further thought using a chisel on material that thin is probably counter productive. It is also unlikely based on your inputs that slitting rather than a shearing operation was used to make the thin strips for wire drawing prior to the mid 16th century. The most likely candidate for the job is a pair of shears. This would certainly be the type of task given to an apprentice along with the actual wire drawing I suspect. Thank you and the others for clarifying the term and it's proper dating. I shall need to think about whether there is a simple mechanical cutting aid or forging aid that could be used to make the process simpler. Regards, Mark