Tools every man should own

[Huckleberry Finn]

Dang does it dig the hole too? Lol. I am still on the cheap side. Picked one up a few weeks ago at a yard sale for $3. But I do agree that buy it once makes sense for a lot of things.

I did pass on a shingle shovel a year ago for a few bucks, but I couldn't convince myself that I needed one. And surely don't want it!

 

[Archertl]

A good knife. A lot of people will say that they will not carry a knife more than 30 dollars because they are afraid that they will lose it. I will tell you that you won't lose it for the simple fact that it cost more that 30 dollars. You will also develop a pride of ownership of it and will be less likely to misuse it. Not all knives are created equel and there is a reason why they cost more than others.

I'm currently waiting on this one to get here. Handmade in ohio.

A man also needs a dog. This one helps me hunt, guards the house and puts a smile on my face everyday. Today she stopped a really nice trout from escaping the boat.

 

[Jackalope]

Great ax! I have a Wetterlings, another great swedish brand.

I have a couple Kelly's. One from the early 50s as W.C Kelly, and one that dates around the 30s when it was the Kelly axe and tool manufacturing company. Can't beat an old steel axe. There's something about finding an old axe head and bringing it home and cleaning it up. I like to buy a raw unfinished handle and rub it down about 20 times with tung oil. The good thing about a well finished axe handle is you can swing it for days and not worry about blisters.

 

[Jackalope]

$112 for a fuggin spade shovel?!?!? I get it that it's high quality and will last... But for that money you could by 11 Black and Decker fiberglass-handled shovels from Walmart. Most homeowners aren't going through 11 shovels in their lifetime. Garage sales are another place to find shovels on the cheap.

You're spot on about the snow shovels though.

That rubber capped fiberglass handle will give you a lifetime of blisters also. One of my issues today with modern hand tools is you can't find anything with a good wooden handle. You just about have to buy one and cut the handle off and replace it. But then you just have a really nice handle on a Chinese piece of junk head. I prefer to find stuff like axes, mauls, shovels, and sledges at antique stores or yard sales and re handle it. One you can put a quality handle on. Two is good high quality USA steel. Unlike this re-melted Chinese crap steel today. The older tools hold an edge far better than the ones today. I don't care what tool it is, an axe, a shovel, a hoe etc, they should all have a sharp edge. My shovel edge is so sharp I bet I could quarter a deer with it. Lol. It's just lots less work to use a sharp tool than a dull one and the old steel holds a better edge.

 

[jagermeister]

That rubber capped fiberglass handle will give you a lifetime of blisters also. One of my issues today with modern hand tools is you can't find anything with a good wooden handle. You just about have to buy one and cut the handle off and replace it. But then you just have a really nice handle on a Chinese piece of junk head. I prefer to find stuff like axes, mauls, shovels, and sledges at antique stores or yard sales and re handle it. One you can put a quality handle on. Two is good high quality USA steel. Unlike this re-melted Chinese crap steel today. The older tools hold an edge far better than the ones today. I don't care what tool it is, an axe, a shovel, a hoe etc, they should all have a sharp edge. My shovel edge is so sharp I bet I could quarter a deer with it. Lol. It's just lots less work to use a sharp tool than a dull one and the old steel holds a better edge.

Yep, I totally agree with you. Most average homeowners just aren't using a shovel that often, though. Not so much that a good pair of leather gloves can't prevent a few blisters. But, you're totally right. That fiberglass handle will really fuck up a pair of bare hands. Rural King has a hell of a selection of replacement wood handles!

And I couldn't agree with you more about tools needing to be sharp. That's one of my biggest pet peeves. Drives me absolutely crazy. If you're going to have a knife or cutting tool of any kind, why the hell would you not keep it sharp?!?!? My one buddy is notorious for keeping dull tools out of pure laziness. Makes me want to punch him in the throat.

Tom, that's a beautiful knife my man! I bet you're really looking forward to getting it. And great call on the dog... That IS definitely one of the BEST, if not THE BEST, tools a man could ever have.

 

[jagermeister]

Just thought of another great one. Soldering iron. Doesn't have to be anything fancy... just a simple pen-style soldering iron will suit you just fine for most tasks. They are handy as fugg for wiring. Crimp connectors are fine for most applications but they are also prone to corrosion. When I'm connecting wires that are in need of a truly flawless connection, I strip them about an inch, twist each one around the other, solder them together, and cover the connection in some heat-shrink tubing. Soldering irons are cheap, easy to use, give you great results, and can bail you out when you run out of the easy to use crimp connectors.

 

[Archertl]

Yep the cheap Weller irons work great. They work even better when you replace the tips with higher quality ones.

 

[hickslawns]

Yep, I totally agree with you. Most average homeowners just aren't using a shovel that often, though. Not so much that a good pair of leather gloves can't prevent a few blisters. But, you're totally right. That fiberglass handle will really fuck up a pair of bare hands. Rural King has a hell of a selection of replacement wood handles!

I don't want to derail. I guess growing up we must have done more projects than most. Water line? Dig it. Fence post holes? Dig them. Add onto the garage? Dig the foundation out, pour the concrete yourselves. Just what we did. Digging the new water line sucked. Started digging and water department said "Nope. Has to run another way." Start digging again. lol

I never minded the fiberglass handles either. Not much of a glove guy. Hate them. My 11yr old has callouses already. lmao

 

[jagermeister]

I don't want to derail. I guess growing up we must have done more projects than most. Water line? Dig it. Fence post holes? Dig them. Add onto the garage? Dig the foundation out, pour the concrete yourselves. Just what we did. Digging the new water line sucked. Started digging and water department said "Nope. Has to run another way." Start digging again. lol

I never minded the fiberglass handles either. Not much of a glove guy. Hate them. My 11yr old has callouses already. lmao

Lol. Dad always had us digging by hand as a kid. Fugg that noise. Nowadays, if I have to dig anything it's with a hoe or a trencher or a post hole digger. Any time I can use a hoe I take advantage! Tools every man should have... a fuggin backhoe! lmao

 

[giles]

$112 for a fuggin spade shovel?!?!? I get it that it's high quality and will last... But for that money you could by 11 Black and Decker fiberglass-handled shovels from Walmart. Most homeowners aren't going through 11 shovels in their lifetime. Garage sales are another place to find shovels on the cheap.

You're spot on about the snow shovels though.

http://www.amazon.com/MAX-AX-TOOL-MILITARY-GRADE-5120-01-416-8568/dp/B00IO15PQG

I picked up a couple of these some years back at a garage sale for $20. One I think is out in my shed? And the other is in the tool box of my truck. Never used either one for anything, but they sure look handy. lol

 

[Dannmann801]

A good knife. A lot of people will say that they will not carry a knife more than 30 dollars because they are afraid that they will lose it. I will tell you that you won't lose it for the simple fact that it cost more that 30 dollars. You will also develop a pride of ownership of it and will be less likely to misuse it. Not all knives are created equel and there is a reason why they cost more than others.

I'm currently waiting on this one to get here. Handmade in ohio.

A man also needs a dog. This one helps me hunt, guards the house and puts a smile on my face everyday. Today she stopped a really nice trout from escaping the boat.

Very cool! :smiley_coolpeace:

 

[giles]

Since you were brought back to life today, hows your tool box coming along?

 

[Dannmann801]

Here's a great tool: cast iron skillet.
A square one is better than a round one.

 

[JOHNROHIO]

Smart battery charger. I am constantly using mine.

 

[hickslawns]

I was going to post one today. Funny this thread was brought back up.

Since we are all in agreement on the love of spud bars, I will share my latest purchase. Two spud bars and a long handled hoe for $20. One of the spud bars was an old railroad spike pulling style of spud bar. Wow! If you ever have a chance, grab one. Normal spud bar when using to lift something up I am often times forced to place a block under it for leverage. This thing has a 90 at the end and works awesome!

 

[Boarhead]

Found one once along the railroad tracks the workers must have had fall off their truck bout 30 yrs ago.
Love that bar,has many uses Phil.

 

[giles]

Found one once along the railroad tracks the workers must have had fall off their truck bout 30 yrs ago.
Love that bar,has many uses Phil.

Holy smokes, how old are you?! lmao

 

[MoonLab]

I haven't had any luck around here. Its all mostly junk, lol.

 

[Boarhead]

Old enough to know not to go crawlin in a damn yote hole!lmao

 

[Boarhead]

But hey i will still hold onto your ankiles when try it.lol