http://grahamchastney.com/2008/04/my-tools-the-things-i-use-to-do-the-things-i-do/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=my-tools-the-things-i-use-to-do-the-things-i-do The rambling of a technologist trying to find a way through Fri, 20 Jan 2012 14:12:22 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= http://grahamchastney.com/2008/04/my-tools-the-things-i-use-to-do-the-things-i-do/#comment-314 Stuart W Fri, 11 Apr 2008 10:48:54 +0000 http://grahamchastney.com/?p=92#comment-314 Graham. I think you have missed a large chunk out of your tools section. This deals with "Grandad's Axe" syndrome. This was told to me by wife, whose Grandad was a woodsman in Gloucestershire. He used his axe day in day out and as time went by the axe handle broke and splintered so, being a woodsman, he cut himself a new one. This continued for some time and the handle was replaced many times and at various times he had to sharpen the blade. Guess what - after many sharpenings he had to replace the head. When Grampy Budding died, the axe got passed on to my father-in-law who used it to cut the logs for the stove and guess what - the blade and head wore out and were replaced at various times. When my father-in-law died, the axe was passed on to my brother-in-law and do you know what it is still a really good axe - and of course it is still "Grandad's Axe" - that is why it stays so sharp and the handle only looks a bit worn - because they knew how to make real tools then. Do you want a moral for this story - well I am not the one to provide it, but just suffice to say that my Grandad and my father both served their apprenticeships and went on to become craftsmen. When my Dad eventually dies, I am looking forward to receiving my Grandad's spokeshave, lump hammer etc. and just to keep them in good condition, I might occasionally replace the handle and sharpen the blade. Of course, if my children have children they might even get passed on "Grandad's Axe" and even if they don't they will certainly get the story - whether they want it or not! Graham. I think you have missed a large chunk out of your tools section. This deals with “Grandad’s Axe” syndrome. This was told to me by wife, whose Grandad was a woodsman in Gloucestershire. He used his axe day in day out and as time went by the axe handle broke and splintered so, being a woodsman, he cut himself a new one. This continued for some time and the handle was replaced many times and at various times he had to sharpen the blade. Guess what – after many sharpenings he had to replace the head.
When Grampy Budding died, the axe got passed on to my father-in-law who used it to cut the logs for the stove and guess what – the blade and head wore out and were replaced at various times.
When my father-in-law died, the axe was passed on to my brother-in-law and do you know what it is still a really good axe – and of course it is still “Grandad’s Axe” – that is why it stays so sharp and the handle only looks a bit worn – because they knew how to make real tools then.
Do you want a moral for this story – well I am not the one to provide it, but just suffice to say that my Grandad and my father both served their apprenticeships and went on to become craftsmen. When my Dad eventually dies, I am looking forward to receiving my Grandad’s spokeshave, lump hammer etc. and just to keep them in good condition, I might occasionally replace the handle and sharpen the blade. Of course, if my children have children they might even get passed on “Grandad’s Axe” and even if they don’t they will certainly get the story – whether they want it or not!

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