Alexander Punch Manchester - not a woodwork tool.

[Colin62]

Sometimes Google is of no use whatsoever. I saw a punch being sold online and it looked interesting so I tried to find out some more information, specifically what it was originally used for (the seller says leather which is why it caught my eye, but I don't think it is).

When I tried to search including the words "Alexander" and "Manchester", Google remains convinced that I'm trying to stalk Alex Ferguson (recently) of Manchester United. It's entirely possible that there is a useful link on the 6th or 7th page of results, but I'm never going to get that far down...

I'm not desperate to find the info, just thought some of you might appreciate the irony in trying to Google words that are common in a different context.

[hiroller]

You can filter Google searches by adding terms for exclusion with a "-" in front.
For example try searching on: Alexander Manchester punch -united
This will exclude most references to the Football club.

Manchester in the 1800s was the centre of the textile trade.
The first cotton mills, steam engines and the industrial revolution all centred around Manchester. There would have been many firms supporting the large factories.
I could imagine that the huge leather belts used to drive the mills would need a serious punch!

[pmcgee]

Print shop related ... ? ... or textiles ...

Vintage cast iron "cutting room" single hole punch | eBay