Antique Garden Tools - Built to Last a Lifetime
You may call them vintage, old or even antique garden tools but the fact of the matter is that if you or your family has anything that looks old hanging around the garden or tool shed and it is still in operating condition, consider yourself lucky. These days, tools may be made from stainless steel but their handles or other components are often made from cheap materials that break easily. This means that the tools of today are more disposable and when they break, end up taking up space in the landfills instead of still being used.
Better Craftsmanship
These days, many garden enthusiasts have started collecting antique garden tools, not just to look at or display but also to use as well. These tools were likely forged by blacksmiths for the metal parts and crafted by someone who knew how to make tools last several lifetimes. After all, many years ago, everything was built by hand and by the sweat of physical labor which meant that the tools had to weather all sorts of conditions.
You won't find plastic parts on antique garden tools, just metal and strong hardwoods that weather well, no matter what the elements are outside. Of course, other materials were used at the time, depending on the type of antique garden tools made and for what purpose. There were even tools that made perfect sense at the time of creation but which would have no practical purpose being used now such as the glass cucumber straightener or the garden roller made from heavy metal or stone for flattening out the ground.
Important History Lesson
Some people use antique garden tools often for every day yard and garden tasks simply because they have always used these tools. Perhaps they were handed down from grandparents or they came with an old house that was purchased. These old tools are pieces of history that tell a story about the family who used them or the craftsman who made them.
Old curved sickles count among antique garden tools and were used to cut down hay by hand which was then used to feed the animals and even used to line in between garden rows to prevent weed growth. If you ever see an old metal box with metal tines on one side, this tool was likely a berry picker. Among other antique garden tools you may find are folding saws, a ring barking tool, a metal seed sower and other odds and ends that you may not be able to identify.
If you happen to have any antique garden tools gathering rust and dust, you should brush them off and have them appraised. Sometimes, local museums will do this for free, especially if you loan them to the museum for display to the public. You would be surprised at how many people are fascinated by the history, craftsmanship and use of these antique garden tools.
