Tools are essentially the father of all other antiques. Paintings, statues, pottery and decorative furniture would not exist without the tools needed to for their creation.

Collecting Antique Tools
Collecting antique tools is initially confusing as the wide assortment of tools presents itself. However, with minimal experience, you will gain confidence in your ability to collect interesting items. As you become more experienced, you will begin to realise that there is an increasingly interesting area of expertise to be discovered.

Tool Categories
Tools come in all shapes and sizes. Each tool was designed for a different job and so the variety is endless. In the face of all this variety, tool collectors have established categories of tools to help them focus their collections. In the broadest categorization, tools are divided into groups by the material they work -- woodwork, metalwork, basket making, leather working and so on. Tools can also be categorized in ways other than their intended purpose. For example, tools from a particular manufacturer, from different regions of the world and made from various materials. These categories are definitely not the only ways into which the tool population can be divided, but they are among the more common.

Tool Manufacturers
This is a popular method of categorising of the vast number of items available. Find a toolmaker you like, say, Stanley, and collect only tools by that maker. This can be as easy or difficult as you choose. Stanley has made many thousands of different tools, so you may wish to specialise in a particular tool type.

Geography
Tools have been made all over the world, and tools grouped by specific regions make interesting collections. Makers from a region tended to choose the same materials for their tools, dependent on the resources available locally. Once maker's marks became popular, it is interesting to put together a set of tools from the same locality, or to trace one maker's career as he moved from town to town. Some collectors prefer English tools, others like Japanese. With such a wide diversity of tools available, you can please yourself.

Materials
Tools were made from just about anything -- wood, steel, ivory, bone, cast iron, brass, etc. etc. The more tactically conscious tool collector will often attempt to assemble a set of tools showing the great diversity of tool making materials. A display exhibiting this diversity can often be a stunning examination of tools designed to be beautiful things as well as functional ones. Other collectors use the tool material to help define the limits of their interests.

Where to Buy?
Finding antique tools is not particularly difficult, unless you restrict the enquiry to just finding historically significant, truly rare or unique antique tools. It used to be possible to pick up antique tools at car boot sales and the like. However, few older pieces are now seen in everyday bargain hunting; therefore, this is no longer a viable alternative, except for modern tools.

The Internet
Prior to 1995, the "tool" presence on the Internet was non-existent. The first allied site was dedicated to ornamental wood turning. Subsequently, many others have created web sites dedicated to antique tools. These sites are highly recommended as they have interesting content, along with items for sale.

Dealers
Dealers in the tool world are also nearly universally nice people who will not hesitate to share valuable insights on antique tools. However, keep in mind they are also in the business to make money, and they won't give anything away. It is healthy to negotiate for the goods of interest, and if you think the price too high, feel free to walk away with no hard feelings.
Most dealers acquire tools for resale in several different ways:
  • buying pieces from collectors
  • buying at club meetings or auctions
  • trading tools
  • using the Internet
Educate Yourself
Before you buy anything, learn the following:
1. What is the tool's true condition?
2. Considering its condition, rarity and aesthetic appeal, is it an outstanding example of its kind?
3. What have comparable pieces sold for recently?

Once you have this information, you are an informed buyer and can make a decision you won't regret. It is also a good idea to check out a dealer's reputation before purchasing from him. How can you check on a dealer's reputation? If you are not sure, you can contact the following:

Members of the board of directors of the national tool organizations, to see if the dealer is in good standing and has a good reputation with that organisation (there are many fine dealers who for one reason or another do not belong to the nationals, but most of the better, larger volume ones do). Consider their answer carefully, as some organisations may be reluctant to say anything negative about members.

For this reason, go further and see what other collectors, particularly those who have been trading for five years or more, have to say about the firm or individual. This is probably the most important guide. Remember that there is no hurry to spend your money. You should have a good idea of what to pay and how rare a tool is, before you contemplate parting with cash. Take the time you need to check a vendor's credentials carefully. Don't buy in haste, and if you are just beginning your interest in rare tools, don't buy anything on someone's investment recommendation unless you independently verify price, condition and market potential. On the positive side, once you have found someone with which you want to do business you have the opportunity to build a fine relationship, which can last many, many years.

Quality Pays!
If you consider yourself a tool collector, always purchase premium quality pieces. It has been demonstrated repeatedly that higher quality pieces retain and increase their value better than unremarkable pieces. If you intend to use the tool, it must be complete with most of the finish remaining.
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