Shop question -- bench shears

[Jacob]

Ok, I've been looking around for some authentic bench shears to put in my shop for a little while now. The largest one I've seen is on the auction I just lost here:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1723062474

One of these can be seen in "Maximilian and his Armourer" by Conrad Seusenhofer (see ffoulkes' book, The Armourer and His Craft") I think I've seen another picture somewhere, but I can't find it at the moment. Are there earlier pictures?

Has anyone used one of these or similar? I've heard of people putting them in a vice or log, but that seems to be upside down. What range of ratings is typical for these modern ones? I saw one on ebay with compound action once that was rated for 12ga, but it had been oversharpened. It seems like 16ga would be fine, perhaps more for something larger like the link above.

I'd like to find a decent one sometime even if they look unwieldy. I think it'd be good for demos and huge tin snips would be useful to have. Someday I may try to set up a period (or as close as I can manage) shop.



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SCA: Edric of Scardeburc
http://filebox.vt.edu/users/jselmer/

"Those who look upon a collection of Ancient Armour as a mere assemblage of curiosities have formed a very inadequate idea of its purpose and usefulness."
J. Hewitt
Catalogue of the Tower Armouries, 1859

[Roderick]

Edric,

It's been over twenty years ago but I did use a pair of shears like these. A friend had an armoury in Columbia MO, I was barrowing them and his instruction. As I remember it they worked ok for cutting straight cuts in 16 gauge. But curves were really difficult. Sorry I don't have more info, but as I said it has been a little while.

Roderick

[wcallen]

I have one...

I have also had a B2 for the whole time I have owned it, so I never did much with it.

I have a vague memory of trying it once about 20 years ago and deciding that it wasn't any fun.

If you wander down to see Tom some time we can play with it.....

Wade