woodworking tools

[jape]

http://www.woodsmithstore.co.uk/shop/Products/Tools/

Yes, I know it is in UK but if you like tools, especially if you work green, it is worth a look just for the pleasure of seeing old drawknives, billhooks and axes and more including some I hadn't seen available for years. Reasonably priced too but the shipping weight would probably do in any ideas of getting one or two!

If anyone knows of a source in Aus. of similar tools I would like to know. I have never seen a decent billhook in Aus. but for some jobs nothing touches them, better than a machete or hand-axe.

[GrahameA]

Morning Jape

... If anyone knows of a source in Aus. of similar tools I would like to know ...

Make forge - plenty of plans on internet.
Male Charcoal - use dead trees.
Car leaf spring - start hammering.
Save Oil from Car to quench finished product.

[jape]

Thanks Grahame! The days are long gone since I could use a heavy hammer on an anvil. I once forged a sword from truck leaf springs though - looked like somethings the Orcs in LOR would have used rather than a 'gentleman's eviscerator'. I swapped it for a six-pack one very hot day if I remember rightly.

Have you ever used a bill-hook? The double-edged hook is still the best trashing and trimming tool ever devised. I did a year or two of hazel hedge-laying in wales many moons ago on a farm and got to love that tool. I have had machetes and all sorts of things since and never found one that fit the hand so well and just did the job.

The draw-knives looked good but you can get similar here, same with the axes. Blacksmith made tools are always the best if they are not based in a back alley in Beijing! I was glad to see some UK blacksmiths still making a living and that there is enough of a market to support them. And where else could you still purchase a froe or an adze?

[GrahameA]

Morning Roland

The days are long gone since I could use a heavy hammer on an anvil.

Try a barter arrangement with a smith.

Have you ever used a bill-hook?

No,

Blacksmith made tools are always the best if they are not based in a back alley in Beijing!

Back-alley tools are very good - it is the mass produced factory ones that you need to look out for.

And where else could you still purchase a froe or an adze?

Carbatec, Tool Exchange or a friend.