- Category: Writing Slopes
- Written by Paul Chubb
- Hits: 1651
Writing Slope/Box parts
The following list is based on research I carried out in April 2020. Like all such lists it deteriorates over time. My thanks to the various people on the Wood Work Forums who made very useful suggestions on many of these items. It was hard work to find these suppliers, I hope this helps others who are building or restoring writing slopes.
Inkwells
Slopes are built - in that part of the box - around specific inkwells. You have the choice of original antique or reproductions.
Antique
Best source is www.ebay.co.uk however you might find it hard to find someone who will post international.
Repro
I got mine at fishpond.com.au, the stuff they carry comes and goes.
An American company called Madison Bay make a range of nice ones, doing a search may help.
Hinges
The genuine hinges are unique in that they open to 180 degrees and are an L shape with shorter arms on one direction than the other. An alternative is to use rail hinges - very long narrow hinges designed for thin bits of timber - which you see occasionally on old slopes, reproductions and restorations. Rail hinges are widely available.
Graeme Brown Antiques maintains a catalogue of parts for various cabinetry including parts for these boxes. When I looked everything I was interested in was out of stock
Whitechapel have them however their shipping is very expensive
Brass Castings have two sizes and are good to deal with and cheap.
Drawer Lock Pins
These are the second hardest thing to find. Three work arounds:
1) Get a Chinese lock bolt/pin from ebay or aliexpress. When I looked there were three versions being made of which one was suitable.
2) Make your own. Get a piece of brass rod and brass screw button. You thread the rod and screw the button on.
3) Brass Castings was open to the idea of making some when I talked to them. Maybe if you asked extremely nicely...
Locks
You need a box lock not a drawer or cabinet lock. These insert and then hook the strike plate holding the lid closed. They should be either full mortise or half mortise.
Reading Stay
These are similar to a strap hinge. One half screws to the box, the other is a prop that slots into a square perforated brass plate in the other half of the box. I have yet to find one of these. Two workarounds:
1) You could easily make two perforated brass plates and then use a drawer lock pin (see above) to slot into a plate on either half of the box
2) You could make your own
3) Brass Castings was open to the idea of making some when I talked to them. Maybe if you asked extremely nicely...
Turn Button Latch
These are widely available but you will need to search for a nice authentic one. The other thing is that these are also used for picture framing and as such may be too light for your usage.
Veneer Inlay These look light to me and may be for picture framing
Sciver
These are simulated leather skivers, or as Aramis calls them, Scivers made in and sent from UK. Prices are about half that of a leather skiver.
Email: moc.liamtoh@831simara.
