Antique Tools

Master paintings, the great statues, the finest pottery, the most decorative furniture -- all of these would have been nothing more than someone's momentary idea without the tools needed to create them.

Tools were the first expression of human cognition. Collecting antique tools is a little like learning chess -- at first it is a bit confusing as the wide assortment of tools presents itself, then with a small amount of experience you gain confidence in your ability to make the right moves and collect interesting pieces, and as you become more and more the "experienced collector" you begin to realize that there is an ever richer and increasingly interesting realm of knowledge and specialty waiting to be discovered.

Because of this richness, people who seriously begin collecting tools will probably be tool collectors for life, and the friendships made across long distances (and short ones!) in the world of tool collecting are legendary. Once you are a tool collector, you can travel the globe and everywhere find kindred spirits with which to share a hearty meal, a cold mug, and a good-natured debate over the peculiarities of your respective specialties.