Thanks Dave, and Sally and Colin and Colin too. Old tools really have some magic about them. like Sally said above, it's as if the something has been imparted into the metal by the owners over the years .... or maybe I'm just being a silly romantic to think that.
Where do I get these gems? Endless rooting through boxes of rust at French bootfairs and not saying a word even to the seller once I find that needle in the haystack. I just hold it up and look questioningly at the seller. He gives me his asking price THEN I speak. If they hear my accent before a price is agreed the price often doubles based on them thinking me being some rich "Rosbif" on holiday. It's sometimes funny watching the seller gnash their teeth.
Me, clever.
The Goldenberg axe heads are the most sought after and if the seller knows it the price shows. I've seen rusty Goldenbergs on worm eaten shafts with a €25 price tag, they sell too. So the hunt for that unknown Goldenberg buried in the dross makes the capture soooo much sweeter.
Sometimes the prices for tools are the same as rusty ones in the UK but on average they can be slightly higher depending on the type of bootfair. Some are antique fairs so you can easily add 50-75% on the price tags. I put about 2-3 hours work on each of those tools getting them back up to scratch, but it is a labour of love.
Thanks for the comments folks. Pleased I'm preaching to the choir about old tools and their patina. Give yourself a pat on the back for being such top people.
Me
PS Samon you have a PM, mate.
