I love a good dust up!
I have three GB's Wildlife, Scandi and double- all gifts from my adorable wife and all treasured. The Wildlife and Scandi will get years of use, the double bit likely not...but I will cherish it anyway.
Last time I counted I have over 75 axes & heads of American vintage companies. Some of those will stay with me from now on, some I will fix up and move along. Dad was a machinist and I grew up on farms, fixing hand tools was boys work and I like to do it now for relaxation. Sometimes I buy a 5.00 head, spend an hour filing and stoning and sell it for 10.00. It is not about money but satisfaction of fixing some old, tried and true. It brings a grin when you stroke a bit and the axe "sings".
While I have found some nice heads in the last 2 years spent at flea markets and yard sales. This area is not good for many of the makes or for much variety. Lots of Collins, Flint Edge and Perfects from Kelly. I have to go to that auction site and lay down good money to find the more coveted heads. Given what some people spend for cigarettes or beer in bars, I do not mind. I can think about the families fed and warmed by that head over the last 100 years as I smooth out the wrinkles and restore the bit to cutting trim.
Bill
I have three GB's Wildlife, Scandi and double- all gifts from my adorable wife and all treasured. The Wildlife and Scandi will get years of use, the double bit likely not...but I will cherish it anyway.
Last time I counted I have over 75 axes & heads of American vintage companies. Some of those will stay with me from now on, some I will fix up and move along. Dad was a machinist and I grew up on farms, fixing hand tools was boys work and I like to do it now for relaxation. Sometimes I buy a 5.00 head, spend an hour filing and stoning and sell it for 10.00. It is not about money but satisfaction of fixing some old, tried and true. It brings a grin when you stroke a bit and the axe "sings".
While I have found some nice heads in the last 2 years spent at flea markets and yard sales. This area is not good for many of the makes or for much variety. Lots of Collins, Flint Edge and Perfects from Kelly. I have to go to that auction site and lay down good money to find the more coveted heads. Given what some people spend for cigarettes or beer in bars, I do not mind. I can think about the families fed and warmed by that head over the last 100 years as I smooth out the wrinkles and restore the bit to cutting trim.
Bill