I5(i MANUFACTURES OF RUSSIA. 



haml made, altliougli there is a growing tendency to the use of machines instead of 

 the hand processes. For example, one of the new manufactories of the Mnromsk 

 district of the Vhidimir government has a steam hammer in use for the cutting out 

 of bhides and other pieces, and it is quite a novelty in the manufacture of Eussian 

 cutlery. 



The number of steam motors for turning the grindstones and whetstones, and 

 of polishing wheels has greatly increased of late. In diiferent localities special fac- 

 tories for polishing the w-ares were established and furnished with steam, and the 

 use of power lathes and W'heels is given to workmen for a fixed sum per day. The 

 number of the larger factories and establishments working cutlery is not very great 

 in the region of Pavlovo. 



Knives of the best quality are made of cast steel generally imported from 

 Germany and Austria; those of the average quality are made of iron, with an outer 

 plating of steel welded thereto; however, serious efforts are made to use pure steel. 

 made at the Ural factories. Cheap wares are, however, till now made of pure iron 

 or scrap steel, and broken railway springs are eagerly bought by the .cutlers foi' 

 that purpose. Owing to the scarcity of Eussian steel especially suitable to this work, 

 as well as to the lack of variety in the sizes of bar iron, workmen experience great 

 difficulties in their trade thus tending to increase the price of the wares. 



The following summary of the prices of cutlery of the cheaper grades will give 

 an idea of the very low^ rates at which the goods are bought by the local deal- 

 ers from the workmen. 



Table knives and forks per dozen 0.50 roubles 



Kuives with welded steel plating . . » » 1.25 » 



Pocketknives » » 1.50 » 



Razors » » 4.00 » 



Tailor shears » » 1.80 » 



Common shears and scissors . . . . » » 2.00 » 



Barber shears » » 4.00 » 



Paper scissors > » 4.50 » 



Bread and kitchen knives per ten 0.60 » 



The most ordinary knives, having a very satisfactory quality, made chiefly at 

 the local manufactories, are sold at 2.25, 2.50 and 3 roubles per dozen. Table knives 

 made of cast steel, with handles of white bone, are sold at 5.50 roubles per dozen; 

 the same knives with handles of black wood, at 7.50 roubles per dozen. If stag horn 

 or ivory be used for the handles the prices rise to 18 and 20 roubles, and more if 

 the handles be ornamented. The manufacture of cutlery is divided between different 

 points as follows: the village Pavlovo chiefly produces table knives, razors and to 

 some extent scissors; the village Vorsma, pocketknives; the village Vachi, bread 

 knives and trade knives, as well as the commonest sort of table knives; and the 

 village Tumbotino, shears and scissors. 



