So, here are all the tools spread out in our workshop so we can clean and identify them – 200 pieces including many wood planes, Stanley combination planes, large draw knives and lots of miscellaneous.
Yesterday my husband and I were privileged to meet a master woodworker who is a state-juried member of the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen. David Taylor had called me in response to my ad that I buy old tools. When we went to see what he had, not only did we find a vast array of planes, draw knives, chisels, saws, and dozens of miscellaneous items; we were surprised and delighted to explore his own workshop where he produces beautiful segmented turned bowls and other pieces on his lathe. We had a wonderful visit with David and his lovely wife and hope they will come to see our work shop.
There are so many tools, it will take weeks to get them all cleaned, photographed and cataloged, but what fun to examine them closely and decide which ones to showcase first. I will post photos as they become available.
A sure sign that things are improving is my increased sales both online and at the weekly antique show in Peterborough, NH. Last November, sales dropped to one fourth of what they were two months earlier and have been very light all winter and spring. Now, all of a sudden people are ready to give my tools new homes which makes it possible for me to go out and buy more! Buying tools is fun, but having lots of people come to my outdoor and online stores is an important part of the cycle.
Another fun part of being in the antique show is when people bring me their unusual finds so we can try to identfy them. This is where a good library of reference books and catalogs is so valuable. Last Sunday someone brought this beautifu piece – a Darling, Brown & Sharpe verniew caliper in its original Moroccan leather case. (Not to identfy, but to research the value and sell it for him.)
