Does anyone know the proper name, or term for this tool, or history on the company? I know it looks to be a scraper, but I cannot find anything on this company on google, or any of my books. It is marked "V.N. DAVIS & SON", and has a patent date of what looks like FEB. 11, 1878, but the 8 could be a 3, as it looks like it may have been over struck. Any info. appreciated.

Thanks,

Wayne

Cheese cutter used vertically on a wheel ???

I can't find the patent, but I found the introduction advertisment; has a photo

V.N. Davis & Son, Stoneham,MA
The patent date is given in the ad, should be correct

http://books.google.com/books?id=0Ic9AQAAIAAJ&pg=PA342&dq=%22v.n.davis+%26+son%22&hl=en&ei=xzf-Ta7LOsfk0QGk6OyJAw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CC0Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=%22v.n.davis%20%26%20son%22&f=false

"SCRAPER FOR HOUSEHOLD USES.

We presume that every housekeeper, of however short experience, has at some period discovered that dirt has an unexplainable and withal a marvelous affinity for inaccessible corners:
.....
The edge is made sufficiently sharp to scrape and loosen the dirt from griddles or bake pans, and the corners may be poked into angles and used to dig out the deposit. It was patented Feb. 11, 1878, and further information regarding it may be obtained by addressing the patentees, Messrs. V. N. Davis & Son, Stoneham, Mass."

Thanks rusty! This is a new company name for me.

Wayne

Where do you guys turn up interesting little items like that?

I may have to look a bit closer at some of my stuff. I would probably have put one of those in with my paint scrapers.