"The Life So Short, The Craft So Long To
Learn"
114 SOUTH THIRD STREET / POST OFFICE BOX 53
VICTOR, COLORADO USA 80860-0053
719-689-2346
www.VictorTradingCo.com Mail@VictorTradingCo.com
"The Life So Short, The Craft So Long To
Learn"
A LITTLE HISTORY
Tin plate is the material of early cookie cutters. Early tin plate was originally made of iron dipped in molten tin to form a coating on the metal. This is known as 'hot-dipped' tin, it produces a thick and often uneven coating. Today, tin plate is a thin layer of tin electroplated on steel. Most tin plate is coated with a half pound or less of tin. We found a manufacturer who could supply us with one pound coating on 28 gauge steel. The tin we use is very bright and shiny-very pretty.
We use only lead free solder on our tin ware. The 96% tin, 4% silver solder we use is very difficult to work with, but we have mastered using this shiny solder. To make this solder flow, we must use an industrial size electric soldering iron. We feel that this combination works very well for us.
Around the turn of the century, peddlers would travel around the country with their horse drawn wagons filled with household goods, including tin ware and brooms (we make both tin ware and brooms!). For us, the unsung heros are the early tinsmiths who used tin to make elaborate or fanciful cutters for family and friends. It is this type of cutter that we are now making for you!
Our main interest lies in the old designs, the lopsided people, the unidentifiable animal shapes, the odd looking flowers....all the things that make the cookie cutters miniature works of art. All of the old designs that we reproduce are stamped with the words "HISTORIC DESIGN". We are on constant look out for more historical designs, we use old books, catalogs, magazines and the old cutters themselves. (Do you have any?)
The method we use to make our cutters, is also very old fashioned....we do it by hand! We cut strips of tin 1/2" wide, de-burr the edges, making sure they are smooth. Then we use a line drawing of the cutter shape and bend the strip of tin to the line using pliers, mandrels and our fingers. We then measure the cutter and cut out a back to fit, making sure the edges are smooth. We use our 1906 bar folder to bend the hemmed edges, we mark and punch the air holes and stamp any wording on the back. Then we solder the open ends of the cutter and then solder the cutter to the back. The cutter is then washed with mild dishwashing soap and dried. Your cutter should be gently hand washed before its first use, because it has been handled. And it should be gently hand washed after use. Be sure to dry it completely before storing it away. This can be done by gently wiping it dry, then setting it in the sun, using a hair dryer or putting it in a warm spot in your home.
If you have old tin cutters, but don't wish to use them because they are too fragile or too rusty, we can reproduce your cherished designs. Or if you have a design in mind and can not find a cutter like it, we can do that too! One thing we do not do is mass production. We do not accept large orders and we do not have a wholesale discount. Since each of our cutters is made one at a time, by hand, by us, each one is a one-of-a-kind work of functional art. We do not make cutter for the masses, we make them for you!
We use antique equipment to make our tin ware. We also make candle holders and wall sconces (we make the candles to go in the holders). We make tin icicles for your Christmas tree, tin cups, mugs and shot glasses. Tin cans, circa 1850 to 1920, with reproduction labels. Many of these other items are shown here on our web site, please take some time and look around, you may find something else that you didn't know you needed!
The only place you can get our cutters is from us. Order by phone, our web site or visit us in our store. You won't find a professionally trained sales staff here - just us - working, and happy to help you!
Be sure that any cutter you buy to use are made of tin plate. NOT galvanized (zinc) or terne (alloy of lead and tin) and that only lead free solder is used.
As we say..."When was the last time you actually bought something from the people who made it?!"
Join the National Club: Cookie Cutter Collectors Club send dues of $20.00 to: CCCC, P.O. BOX 245, CANNON FALLS, MN 55009. There are also local clubs in: Minnesota, Nevada, California, New York, Missouri/Kansas, Virginia/Maryland/DC, New England, Northwest, Rocky Mountains, Texas, Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Florida.
BAKE COOKIES - MAKE MEMORIES!