Chat with an 80 year old at a flea market in Columbus changed how I look at old tools

I was digging through a bin of rusty wrenches last Saturday and this guy next to me starts telling me about the old Stanley planes he restores. He said most people strip the patina off because they think it's just dirt, but that layer actually protects the tool and keeps it working smooth. Made me stop and think about how I've been tossing good finds in the trash because they looked ugly. Has anyone else passed up something old that ended up being way better than the new version?

2 comments

2 Comments

the_dylan10d agoMost Upvoted

Flea market wisdom is the best kind honestly. Used to be the same way, scrubbing any tool I found until it looked like it just came off the shelf. Then a buddy showed me his grandfather's old chisels with that dark patina on them and they cut cleaner than anything I've bought new. Makes you wonder how much good stuff we've thrown away because it didn't look shiny enough.

jesse9889d ago

But don't you think that patina is just old grease and dirt, @the_dylan?