Some antique
tools have considerable appeal as objects d'art. Beautiful designs,
ingenious craftsmanship, and exotic materials are sometimes used in
tools - and these happen to be the sorts of tools that hold higher
value to collectors today. (see Sandor Nagyszalanczy's book The Art of Fine Tools). Collecting tools offers the opportunity to gather together with other like-minded people. Attending a tool show is an interesting experience.
With the advent of the Internet, sites have been created to assist
collectors in sharing information. For example, those interested in
collecting/restoring older power tools can utilize the resources at Old WoodWorking Machines to locate and/or identify older power tools they may run across. Search engines can be utilized to locate sites like this for whatever class of tools one may be interested in.
An antiquetool is generally defined as a tool over 100 years old[citation needed], but often this definition is used more loosely to refer to any tool manufactured before World War II.
The use of tools is one of the primary means by which humans are
distinguished from animals. Tools are the parents of all other
antiques. Most manmade objects were made with the use of tools and
great effort goes into the creation of newer and better tools to solve
the production problems of the day. The study of antique tools provides a glimpse of human development and cultural preferences through history. People collect and use antique
tools for a variety of reasons - some say they are better made than
modern tools, and perform their jobs better. Others appreciate the
handcrafting that went into their manufacture or their rarity or
aesthetic value. Informally, those preferring hand tools to power tools
are sometimes referred to as galoots.
The creation of a tool
often makes possible the creation of more advanced tools. Advanced
tools made possible the manufacture of internal-combustion engines,
automobiles, and computers. In the future new devices will come along.
But even the most advanced of these owes tribute to the most basic hand
tools for their existence. Among those who like to collect, some may do
so as part of a rigorous study program - they want to catalog all types
of a specific tool,
for example. Some collectors may wish to preserve some of the past for
future generations. Some may collect as a financial investment. Some
collect tools to use them - to be able to create things with them.
Others perceive tools as works of art, or as fascinating mechanical
design specimens.
Categories of tools range from the broad - planes, rules, braces,
hammers, etc. to the specific - planes made by the Gage Company of
Vineland, New Jersey for example. People who are new to the hobby,
should know that there are many good modern reference books that will
guide you in your search, as well as many reprints of the catalogs in
which these tools were originally offered. It is necessary to learn the
differences between various tools, their history and the history of
their makers. Often tools will exhibit differences contrasting the
different locations of their makers, or different features contrasting
different time periods. The following are some ways to begin collecting
tools:
Tools of a specific company or maker - for example, L. Bailey Victor tools, Seneca Falls Tool Company tools, Miller's Falls tools, Disston Saws, Chelor planes, etc.
Tools of a specific type - hammers, braces, axes, saws, patented planes, transitional planes, treadle-powered machines, etc.
Tools of a specific period - tools from 1850-1900, post WWII era tools, etc.
Tools from a specific place - Scottish tools, tools from Massachusetts makers, etc.
Tools of a specific occupation - cooper's tools, machinist tools, watchmaker's tools, garden tools.
A combination of one or more of the above categories -- for example, one each of a specific type of Stanley tool, i.e. all Stanley saws, all Stanley marking gauges, all Stanley planes, etc.
A "type study" of one specific model, for example, a type study of Stanley #6 jointer planes or Norris A5 smooth planes.
Tools that show how a specific idea progressed over time, for
example tools tracing the development of the plane's adjusting
mechanisms, or tools showing how an early patent was bought out and
developed by another company.
