When I first got involved with working in woodlands I used various hand tools, some new ones, but mostly old. I rapidly discovered that old hand tools are superior. They are almost always made to superior patterns, and from better materials. Buying old tools became an obsession, and the excess acquired became a small business. I now attend a few country, woodland and garden shows each year, selling tools I have collected and reconditioned. The pictures below illustrate what it is all about.
A selection of wood working tools in finished condition.
Small garden tools.
Garden tools.
I always try to keep a good selection of handbills.
Tools as collected, ready for renovation.
New and re-useable old handles.
A few favourite manufacturers.
Prices below are typical, and vary with maker, tool pattern, condition : -
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Billhooks £16 to £60 Slashers £18 to £25 Felling/snedding axes £20 to £45 Side axes £45 to £80 Drawknives £20 to £30 Spoke shaves £6 to £20 Froes £28 to £45 Mortice chisels £10(1/2") to £30(>1") Stanley brace £10 to £20 Bits £2 to £5(wider types) Hand augers £8 to £16(wider types) |
Border forksand border spades £20 to £26 Digging forks and digging spades £17 to £22 Hand forks and trowels £6 to £20 Weeders and daisy grubbers £7 to £25 Watering cans £14 to £30 Garden lines £24 to £30 Turfing irons £24 to £35 Rakes and hoes £16 to £28 Sheep shears £10 to £15 Grass shears £12 to £20 Lawn edgers £12 to £24 |
I also often have crowbars, grafts, fencing tools, mattocks, sledge hammers, shovels, entrenching tools, carpentry tools; sometimes I have cooper's, wheelwright's and blacksmith's items. Repairs to your own tools can be made by arrangement, do ask for an estimate. Please also ask if you have a specific tool requirement.
Very occasionally I may have blacksmith made edge tools. There was a strong tradition in the Sussex Weald of locally made tools, many of superb workmanship and quality. These are now hard to find, expensive and very much sought after. For example I am still asked for the tools of John Fenner of Boars Head, he stopped work in the 1970s.
Link to a series of pictures of me re-handling handbills at the SSCG Open Day
Contact me by email:- Contact
West Dean Garden Event
21st and 22nd June
West Dean Gardens, West Dean, West Sussex
Weald WoodFair
12th, 13th and 14th September
Bently Wildfowl, near Lewes, East Sussex
This certificate was kindly issued to me by Peter Edwards.
Safety notes for hand tools
Hand tools are sometimes of considerable age,and are often collected as antiques. You must make a decision as to whether a tool is useable or not, bearing in mind that previous owners and users may have been less than conscientious.
Hand tools can potentially cause serious injury to the person using them, and to those nearby. It is impossible to anticipate every way in which a tool may be used or abused, however the following basic guidance is offered: -
If you ever doubt that a tool is in safe condition, or that it is appropriate for the job, or if you do not fully understand correct use of a tool then DO NOT USE IT.
If in doubt - ask! Most tool users have misconceptions about how to use and maintain their tools.
Training is essential, even for domestic or hobby use. Sources of training are agricultural colleges, the Small Woods Association, British Trust for Conservation Volunteers and the Surrey and Sussex Coppice Group.