Historical information

Tobacco cutters were used in the home and also by tobacconists to cut plug tobacco, which comprised tobacco leaves compressed into blocks usually about 7.5 cm square and 2 cm thick. The cutter shaved the plugs into usable shreds for smoking in pipes or cigarettes, prior to the days of “ready-rubbed” tobacco. this cutter dates from the late 1800s.

Physical description

Cleaver shaped tobacco cutter with a metal handle and off-set sharpened blade (secured by two set screws) protruding through a slot. The handle is attached to an elongated “H” shaped metal foot with a wooden slat attached to serve as a base for a tobacco plug. The whole mechabism is screwed to a wooden base. All metal parts are painted black with the exception of the cutting blade.