The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1872-06-01
The Western Cutlery Co.'s Works.

This last addition to the manufacturing estab-
lishments of Ottawa, now that it is getting into
fair running order, deserves more than passing
mention. The works are situated west of the
sidecut and south of Main street, in plain, sub.
stantial building, portion of which is brick
On Wednesday last, in company with the gen.
tlemanly manager, Mr.. B. F. Purinton, We Wis.
tied the establishment, and had the pleasure OF
witnessing the Numerous processes through
which piece of steel passes before being con.
verted into an ordinary table knife
The steel is received at the factory in thin
bars Of the requisite thickness, and is first cut
into pieces of the required length The next
operation is
PLATING.
which consists in drawing ont the future blade,
80 as to give it the required bevel. At present
this is done by a rapidly.beating trip-hammer,
but it is intended to perform this work by means
of nicely adjusted rollers. The steel comes from
the plating process without any part out Of
which to form the handle. 80 it is next placed
under
SHAPING MACHINE,
~>S~ ~>Ss SoAy Suso oAt tuo oAouC W TIC ucCt5-
sary width, but also shapes the shank to which
the handle is subsequently attached. The shank
Is then bored in three places at one time to re-
ceive the rivets securing the handle, after which
the shape is placed undera
"DRoF,"
by which it is most effectually Strengthened.
The knife Is now ready for the grinding room.
Here are several huge grindstones aud emery
wheels revolving with fearful rapidly, behind
each OF which sits the operator astride of his
scat, holding the blade in piece of wood
scooped out to At It, Tho sparks fly in an end
less shower, emitting that pecaliar odor which
attends dry grinding, and the swiftly circling
wheel makes one shudder at the idea of the de.
struction that would ensue should it happen to
break The first grinding operation consists Of
SCORING.
This merely takes of the roue h slrface in spot
sufficiently large to receive the stamp of the
manufacturers, which is the Western Cutlery
Co., Ottawa, ILL.,"
The blade having been hardened and temper
ed, is ground and roughly polished, then taken
upstairs and the material forming the handle is
attached to 1t. The concluding processes consist
In suoJccting the hasdle and blade to several
grindings upon emery wheels, which impair, the
anal polishings and ronnd off the handles. A.
nearly all o! the operations after Ia, grinding
are comparatively simple, they are almost e1.
elusively performed by soys.
The manufacture of Gallery depends for It's
SUCCESS npou the proper
DIVISION oy LABOR,
AID it seems almost incredible that a single
knife, before being ready for packing for the
market, Is subjected to no les. than forty.two
separate operations, and fork about the same.
The Western Cutlery Co are rot ye, able TO
rua their works to their full capacity. All the
boyS now employed are comparatively green,
but !, is anticipated that, when the various en.
p!oJees become thoroughly accustomed TO their
avoeat;ons, twenty-five gross Of HALVES and fork.
can be turned out per diem.
The Western Cutlery Co. is partly oo-opera.
tive IN its organization, some of the artix.ns EN-.
pioysj - the weIks being also stock ho!ders.
On this day week it is the intention to hold
meeting of the stockholders, to consider the
pEOpriety Of increasing the capital of the som.
pany 10 100000. As many capitalists stand
ready 70 buy in, there is little doubt bu. that
this increase will be readily secured, when the
work can he prosecuted with greater vigcr aud
saesass, and with the enlarged facilities thereby
to be secured, this establishment bids fair TO
RANK amongst the largest Of It's class ia the
country, and one OF which Ottawa may be Justly
proud.