Antique Tools ... Our American Heritage (Paperback)

~ (Author) "The blacksmith of an early settlement eased his considerable bulk into a sagging rocker, lifted his coarsely-woven-socked feet onto another, and groaned in pure contentment..." (more)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

This handy guide to old tools is filled with photos and useful information on common and unusual tools of the past. Fully illustrated, this quality paperback includes prices for every item. 2003 values. REVIEW: Tools of blacksmiths, farriers, wheelwrights, bricklayers, slaters, loggers, tinners, leatherworkers, lumbermen, and woodworkers, as well as transportation, land, water, and farm tools, fill the pages of this handy price guide to antique tools. The name and value of the item is given, as well as important facts on how the tools were used and who used them. It's a perfect glimpse at part of our American heritage. -John Alvey

Product Details

• Paperback: 152 pages
• Publisher: Collector Books (July 1982)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0891451250
• ISBN-13: 978-0891451259
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #537,145 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Good pictures, wide range of tools, some misinformation, September 4, 1998

By A Customer

I think the breadth of the information in this book is what causes the problems. It attempts to cover a wide range of antique tools according to the profession of the user. On this basis, it is a rather remarkable collection of widely varying information on lots of old tools and their uses. The problem is that most of the information appears to have come from helpful dealers and passers-by, not necessarily experts. This is alluded to in the forward, so there is no deliberate attempt to claim otherwise. These helpful people were not necessarily knowledgable as shown by incorrect naming and descriptions on some items. The included price guides also varied all over the map from too cheap to too expensive. In no cases were maker names mentioned along with the pricing which makes them pretty much useless. I was particularly interested in this book for the woodworking section which is only barely touched upon given the wide subject material and limited space. I did learn the names of lots of esoteric stuff that I did not know about before.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Looking for a great reference book on early 20th century hand tools?, July 28, 2008

By	dsk (Adelanto, CA) - See all my reviews

This is an excellent reference book and guide on antique hand tools. Lots of great color pictures with information on each tool along with a value of each tool pictured. Also, good for anyone interested in learning something about our early 20th century American Heritage. One of my favorites.