Thread: Tool handles for outside use

G'day Arry,

Maybe I can't see right or maybe the pic just doesn't show it, but the handles look OK in the pic. If they are in as good a condition as the shears, then they will last a lifetime with European wood. My late Grandfather was a coach builder and when he came to Australia from Germany in the late 1800's he bought many of his tools of trade with him. He religiously wiped the wooden handles of his tools at the end of each days work with a rag that had been soaked in linseed oil. In like manner, he also wiped the metal parts of steel implements, but not anything that was brass or copper. I never did find out from him why brass and copper were exempt from his daily routine.

Good question, he is the one who asked the question about new handles so that's the direction I was heading in.

You can see in the photo a huge split in the top tandle.

Maybe some wood filler you reckon, a sand and some Boiled Linseed Oil?

What do you think?

Cheers

Anyone have an idea as I am going to their place soon, cheers

Originally Posted by wun4us

. . . he also wiped the metal parts of steel implements, but not anything that was brass or copper. I never did find out from him why brass and copper were exempt from his daily routine.

That's interesting because polishing antique brass with a cloth containing a small amount of linseed oil is recommended on websites discussing preserving antique brass etc.

Originally Posted by Arry

Photo attached of 30 year old German Made Clippers

Freund Tools West Germany? I've got some hedge clippers made by them. Good steel, nice to sharpen. I had a look today and couldn't work out how to remove the handles without damaging the ferrules. Well, I couldn't work it out, maybe someone else can.

What you could do......is unscrew the blades at the pivot and put the handles together in a container of boiled linseed oil.....after you'd given them a nice sanding.

Originally Posted by BobL

That's interesting because polishing antique brass with a cloth containing a small amount of linseed oil is recommended on websites discussing preserving antique brass etc.

It is indeed. I have asked my uncle, the only one of his still living two sons who had anything to do with the coachbuilding and smithing, and his answer was along the lines that he had his own special polish for the brass and copper which he used once a week. Despite his late 90 years, I would have to place some credilbility in his memory; he'ss as sharp as a tack when he's in front of the pokies!