Antique Hand Tools

From hammers and planes to saws and hand drills, antique hand tools are being added to the collections of novice and seasoned collectors as they find these unique items at antique shops, flea markets and garage sales.

Take a look at a slideshow of interesting antique tools

Different collectors search for antique tools to add to their collections based on their own personal preferences and budget. For many people finding an antique collectible that is both affordable and useful is a double bargain.

Although there are tool collectors of antique and vintage hand tools that have a generalized collection, there are also many niche collectors. The hand tool collections of niche collectors are limited by a specific criterion including:

• Antique tools made by a specific manufacturer or company, for example hand tools from the Stanley Company
• A particular type of hand tool such as antique saws or wood planes
• Hand tools from a specific era or range of years
• Antique tools used in certain industry or trade, for example hand tools used in woodworking or metal working or tools used by a cooper or wheelwright
• Hand tools with patents
• Hand tools without patents
• Price

Sometimes tool collectors limit their hand tool collections based on more than one of the above criteria, for example collecting only handsaws by the Disston Company

Hand tools from the past are also sought after by professional craftspeople and hobbyists of today. Many prefer working with certain old tools feeling they are more suited to the job than new versions of the same tool.

One of the most popular collectible hand tools is antique wood planes made by the Stanley Company. These antique planes are of high quality and are made with great attention to detail and fine craftsmanship. Because of its durability beautiful Brazilian rosewood was generally used on the plane’s tote and knob. The metal surfaces, made of brass and nickel, were often embellished with exquisite details.

Other popular hand tools sought after by collectors include:

• Saws
• Hand drills
• Plumb bobs
• Brace and bits
• Wrenches
• Grindstones
• Clamps
• Levels
• Rules
• Hammers
• Axes
• Chisels
• Vises

A hand tool collector’s bookshelf is not complete without a current price guide to antique tools. In addition to giving the current retail value of antique tools; most guides also contain valuable information, pictures and diagrams used for tool identification. Several excellent hand tool price guides include:

• Antique Trader Tools Price Guide by Kyle Husfloen
• The Antique Tool Collector's Guide to Value by Ronald S. Barlow
• Warman's Tools Field Guide: Values and Identification by Clarence Blanchard

Books on tool identification, tool history and maker’s marks are also very helpful to a serious collector. The following are several excellent books written about antique and vintage hand tools.

• Tools Rare and Ingenious: Celebrating the World's Most Amazing Tools by Sandor Nagyszalanczy
• Dictionary of American Hand Tools: A Pictorial Synopsis by Alvin Sellens
• A Guide to the Makers of American Wooden Planes by Martyl Pollack, Emil Pollak and Thomas Elliott
• A Museum of Early American Tools by Eric Sloane

• Wood Central
• Union Hill Antique Tools
• Rose Antique Tools
• Old Tool Photos

The world of collecting antique hand tools offers great opportunities for generalized and niche tool collectors. Many of these tools are waiting to be found in thrift shops and garage sales. Who knows, you may find the next antique tool treasure such as a Stanley No. 11 bullnose wood plane in G++ condition. This extremely rare plane sold for a staggering $6,668 at auction. Chances are you won’t find such a valuable tool, but to an antique tool lover each piece is a treasure in itself.

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