Hand Tool Restorations

Project: Ongoing

Writeup: April 2021

Feels good in the hand...

I've restored a fair quantity of different tools by now, but the majority just aren't particularly interesting or beautiful. Also, most projects I just don't record very well! So this one's just going to be a mix and match of some of my favourites.

At the top of the page are a couple of bog-standard engineer's hammers, pictured because these got the first set of handles that I made from scratch. They feel excellent and I think they came out fantastically as a matched pair. Started with some 40x40mm ash and just kinda winged it: first planing them down to the flat octagonal profile, then refining the curve with a very fine spokeshave (another restoration). I believe the heads were just part of an ebay lot, nothing special. They didn't need much, just a refresh on the faces and a touch-up. The finish is a cold blue which I find works ideally for these small parts which you can completely submerge. These two went straight in the "nice" toolbox.

Almost too nice to use (don't worry, I have done)

This is a Record No. 110 which I thought came out nicely. You mostly see them in glossy enamel blue, but this black is what I had. I usually find painting stuff very hit and miss, but whatever I did here really worked well! Also cuts beautifully. I think it was only ever very lightly used.

Wish I had a better photo of this absolute unit

Too many axes to choose from, but I picked this one because my friend relies on it to head the haunted Victorian schoolhouse she lives in. Without me she would have died many moons ago after slowly losing all of her indices to frostbite. It's also notable for being the largest example I've ever restored, and also the one I've taken to the finest polish (go figure). Here you can see a particularly kinky example of my standard cover design for which I experimented with natural black dyes. This one was done with a vinegar-based mixture known as "vinegaroon". Stinks like hell for an annoyingly long time but does give a super rich black which I like. I've subsequently changed to using a more robust closing mechanism: these pop-studs are quick but aren't particularly strong. I've used these Smedbergs handles in a range of sizes and highly recommend.

The other end of the spectrum

I like this one because the head was a random find and a bit of a wildcard. I still don't really know what it was specifically for or what kind of handle it would have had, so I just went with something I had. I think it works! Takes an incredible edge and the little swell under the head is excellent for precision work with a nice high grip. I find myself reaching for it a lot. The pop-studs do make sense here with the smaller overall size.

a photo of an ugly axe head and a handle that's too small

Potential...

Last axe, I promise. But this one's a cool one! This was the last, ugliest thing left from a big ebay lot which was staring at me from across the room for months before I felt guilty enough to do something with it. It was pretty heavily pitted, and the profile was just horrendous. So I thought I'd try my most ambitious overhaul yet and completely hack it to pieces. Above you can see the rough shape I was going for: a kind of "Elwell" style that always seem to be ludicrously expensive whenever I see them.

a photo of a slightly less ugly axe head

Face lift!

So hack away I did. Fortunately I think I pulled it off! I was very happy with how the old surface blended into the new, and took special care to keep the edge cool to not ruin the temper.

Good to go

Finished this one with another Smedbergs and a different cover style I was trying out. It's more of a faff to construct than the other style, but I think on balance it's the better design. Well fitted, there's no way it can come off. Overall very pleased with this one. Was proud to give it away as a Christmas present.

Shiny!

I built up this set of chisels over some time, a useful range of 3/4, 1/2 and 1/4 inch in both bevel-edge and flat. They're of mixed pedigree, but fit together in an eclectic sort of way I think. They were all re-ground, lapped and sharpened. The pouch itself was another escapade. It functions well but isn't the most refined design, still trying to think of a better one which would fit a range of sizes.

Not sure why I like this one so much

This is an unremarkable Record pipe wrench, but I had a good time working on it! The paint job is just ok, but I think the black hardware really shines (cold blue again). Was quite pleased with my custom slim nut and bolt. It originally had a press-fit pin holding it all together, which was lame.