AN IMPROVED MACHINE OR APPARATUS FOR CLEANING AND POLISHING KNIVES
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Edward Gedge, of No. 11, Wellington Street,
Strand, in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, for the Invention of "AN
IMPROVED MACHINE OR APPARATUS FOR CLEANING AND POLISHING KNIVES."
A communication from abroad by Hilaire Philippe Théotime, Duchesne de
St. Léger. of Poitiers (Vienne), France.
Sealed the 15th November 1878, and dated the 29th May 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Edward Gedge at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 29th May 1878.
WILLIAM EDWARD GEDGE, of No. 11, Wellington Street, Strand, in the County
of Middlesex, Patent Agent. "AN IMPROVED MACHINE OR APPARATUS FOR
CLEANING AND POLISHING KNIVES." A communication from abroad by Hilaire
Philippe Théotime, Duchesne de St. Léger, of Poitiers (Vienne), France.
The improved knife-cleaning machine or apparatus, the subject of this Invention,
is composed, as shown on the accompanying Sheet of Drawing, of two circular
plates f, h, of wood or other suitable material, and of a diameter at least equal to
the length of ordinary knives. The plates are fixed by 4 screws to small cast-iron
plates e having four arms, and upon their faces; in contact, are firmly glued or
otherwise secured the washers g made of felt, somewhat thick, supple, and of good
quality, or of other analogous material. The lower plate frests upon a central
knob of the bowl or stand c, to which it is fixed by a small rod or pin d, which
permits it to oscillate a little, so that it may be always close against the upper
plate h. This plate his supported by a rod or arm i fixed by three screws, and
which, by means of the hinge N, permits the plate h to be raised, as shown,
Figure 3. By bearing with the hand on the stud or knob J, the apparatus is kept
in place and a certain pressure obtained between the felts.
In useing this apparatus, brick dust or other polishing material is scattered or
rubbed upon the lower plate, and the blade of the knife then placed on the felt thus

page_text: prepared; the top plate is then brought down, and one hand kept slightly pressing
on the knob J; the knife is then moved to and fro, and four or five passes will
usually suffice to give to the knife a perfect polish. The two faces of the knife
blade and the back are all polished in their entire length at the same time.
Although the top felt becomes sufficiently impregnated with polishing powder, it
is nevertheless as well to turn the blade once during the cleaning.
A circular form has been given to the plates, in order that the apparatus may not
always be used on the same side, and that the felts may wear equally in every part;
this wear being, however, almost imperceptible. Half a dozen knives may thus be
polished in a minute.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Edward Gedge in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
23rd November 1878.
WILLIAM EDWARD GEDGE, of No, 11, Wellington Street, Strand, in the County
of Middlesex, Patent Agent. " AN IMPROVED MACHINE OR APPARATUS FOR CLEAN-
ING AND POLISHING KNIVES." A communication from abroad by Hilaire Philippe
Théotime, Duchesne de St. Léger, of Poitiers (Vienne), France.
The improved knife-cleaning machine or apparatus, the subject of this Invention,
is composed, as shown on the accompanying Sheet of Drawing, of two circular
plates f, h, of wood or other suitable material, and of a diameter at least equal to
the length of ordinary knives. These plates are fixed by 4 screws to small cast-iron
plates e having four arms, and upon their faces, in contact, are firmly glued or
otherwise secured the washers g made of felt, somewhat thick, supple, and of good
quality, or of other analogous material. The lower plate f rests upon a central
knob of the bowl or stand c, to which it is fixed by a small rod or pin d, which
permits it to oscillate a little, so that it may be always close against the upper
plate h. This plate h is supported by a rod or arm i fixed by three screws, and
which, by means of the hinge N, permits the plate h to be raised, as shown,
Figure 3. By bearing with the hand on the stud or knob J, the apparatus is kept in
place and a certain pressure obtained between the felts.
In using this apparatus, brick dust or other polishing material is scattered or
rubbed upon the lower plate, and the blade of the knife then placed on the felt
thus prepared; the top plate is then brought down, and one hand kept slightly
pressing on the knob J; the knife is then moved to and fro, and four or five passes
will usually suffice to give to the knife a perfect polish. The two faces of the knife
blade and the back are all polished in their entire length at the same time.
-Although the top felt becomes sufficiently impregnated with polishing powder, it
is nevertheless as well to turn the blade once during the cleaning.
A circular form has been given to the plates, in order that the apparatus may not
always be used on the same side, and that the felts may wear equally in every part;

page_text: this wear being, however, almost imperceptible. Half a dozen knives may thus be
polished in a minute.
Having now described and ascertained the nature of the said Invention commu-
nicated to me as aforesaid, and in what manner the same is or may be performed, I
claim as secured to me by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent, the
use of a machine or apparatus for cleaning and polishing knives, composed of two
superposed plates, the whole being constructed and operating substantially as
herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Edward Gedge, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-third day of November, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
W. E. GEDGE. (L.S.)