Posted 10 years ago
kencou
(7 items)
I am looking for help to identify what this item is. It appears to be a box cutter. The head appears it could have another use. It does appear old just because of the phone number listed on the advertising.
I believe that is a ripper. They are made of plastic today and the top (end) doesn't open. It is a safety issue today not allowing the top to open. The hooks guide the blade and it it slips at the end of the cut the blade can't hit you. In the open position you can be cut. I have a couple of the modern ones made of plastic and they only have one hook and are disposable. You can't change the blade, like everything today, you throw it away when it gets dull.
Thanks for the comment. When you say ripper. What would it be used for? What does it rip? It looks like an letter opener. But it is to big.
They would be used in a factory or warehouse to open cardboard boxes. Look at picture #2 where the guard is open, you can cut with just the tip and the guard prevents the blade from going so deep it will damage the contents. Or you can lock the opening of the guard on to a box top and cut with the center of the blade as in removing the flaps. That function tended to rip the cardboard rather than cut it as the blade got dull. The newer ones like I have are total junk but because they are OSHA approved we were required to use them. I kept my husky utility knife clipped inside my wasteband.
A neat tool, does it have patent info on it?
Have a look at this:
http://www.ebay.ie/itm/VINTAGE-WIRE-CUTTER-TOOL-ZIP-A-DO-CUTTER-RENEW-N-U-FULTON-RADIO-SUPPLY-CO-/400562669166?pt=US_Hand_Tools&hash=item5d4365466e