Do you use your vintage/old tools?

[Mechanickal]

2 years ago, I found an almost brand new Victorinox Mountaineer from the early 80's on a flea market for just €4.

It was the first, and last, time I saw a Vic with groved corkscrew.
It was actualy the last SAK I found with more then 2 layers (1 Bantam and 1 Spartan meantime) so I guess we can say it was a rare find here.

So, it has sat on display for 2 years but it does feel like such a nice toolset, perfect for pocket carry.

So: should I just use it like it was intented to be?
Should I buy one new and use that one?
Should I keep it on it's cosy shelf?

What do you do with your "old" tools?

Am I asking to many questions?

[kottskrapa]

I would say use it!

It is made to be used
You got it cheap
You like the toolset
Flea market finding and no sentimental value?

I have two old that is retired. One sportsman and one spartan that is used and abused and after all those years have some sentimental value to me and I don't want to loose them so I keep them of my rotation. To me, the only reason not to use a SAK is when it has to much sentimental value or are broken.

My dad always used to say "use the nice things first"


It's not failure if you learn something from it

[AimlessWanderer]

I use them. That's what they were built for.

1970's Vic Orig Outdoorsman
Vic Climber Small
LM Sideclip
LM Juice KF4
Vise Grips LC6
Buck X-Tract Fin
Assorted Wenger Travellers

I've used old SAKs as mod fodder too, which is how the Mega84 was born.

This Club 18 tool probably stems back to the 50's or 60's at a guess, and gets use occasionally.

[Chako]

I have many shelf queens, and there is nothing wrong with that. I also have many users as well. My rule of thumb is this...if I cannot easily replace it, then I will not use it. Mind you, I have plenty to choose from and usually will buy a second user if I intend to EDC the knife or tool in question.

From what you have stated, why the hesitation. If you want to use it then go for it.

[magentus]

Use it!

It has the perfect toolset for you and Victorinox didn't make it to sit on a shelf so use it!

And post pics! 

 

[ThePeacent]

I carry and use all my tools and knives, only those rare and specially hard to find are treated with care and special attention, but all get their carry and use time, this month for instance:



- SOG BlackTip
- Gerber MP700
- Schrade 5WR
- Spyderco Spyderhawk
- Wenger Champ
- LED Lenser P3 AFS
- SR 0059A folder



IMO they are built and meant to be used, and many vintage tools are unique, awesome and true real world performers, they deserve to at least get merit for that. Unless something has a real deep meaning and sentimental value I see it as a pure material possession, something that won't be worth anything once you're gone, you decide it's just $ tied to you and something you could've spent on other things.



Of course do what you're happier with, but my advise is use it like a rented mule!   

[Aloha]

http://theartofsimple.net/stop-saving-your-stickers/

So I posted this link in a thread the Boss started.  I view sentiment as something attachable to anything you choose to attach it too.  It doesn't matter if you've found the item in a ditch, flea market, online, trash, or wherever.  The reasoning behind not choosing to use that item is what I find fascinating. 

I have tools specifically bought for collection purposes only.  Those tool never were intended to be used and so they aren't.  I have found a few older SAKs that initially I carried then put away for no other reason they didn't fit my carry.

If carrying the tool and using it worries you due to ( breakage, damage, wear ) then maybe bring a secondary tool in the situations where you'd not want to cause the harm to this tool?

Most of my tools come to me previously used and I have no idea how the previously owner/s cared for the tool other than the condition I find it in.  If the tool is in reasonably good condition then I know my handling of the tool wont cause any further harm. 

So, I say use the tool and enjoy it.       

[magentus]

I have an Old Cross Red Pioneer on the way from a good and generous friend, and, despite being the oldest and fanciest SAK i have by a long way, it will be carried and used because that's what it was designed and built for, and if it had a soul, that's what it would want.

[SteveC]

Almost all of my tools and knives are vintage/old and I use them all. I am more careful with a few of them just because they would be hard to replace.

[Mechanickal]

So I carried it today!

Didn't get around using it, but it was there just in case.

Gotta love the groved corkscrew!


And the good old crossbow...

[magentus]

Sweet! 

[Mechanickal]

Sweet! 

[kottskrapa]

Nice pics!

It's not failure if you learn something from it

[Mechanickal]

Nice pics!

It's not failure if you learn something from it

Thanks!

A jeweler's loupe in front of your phone's lens can do miracles in close up...

[Mechanickal]

First use...

[Don Pablo]

That mountaineer is soo shiny. 
There is something to be said about the looks of SAKs with minimal back tools...

[Zed]

Yep all used  pst    og ST  old version cs4  older micra    Spartan I've had since around 81    all used 

[Mechanickal]

That mountaineer is soo shiny. 
There is something to be said about the looks of SAKs with minimal back tools...

Indeed!
No hook = smooooth

[Mechanickal]

Yep all used  pst    og ST  old version cs4  older micra    Spartan I've had since around 81    all used 

But... but...
You've been around long enough to buy them new

[tosh]

I suppose it's what you're comfortable with doing. When all is said and done its value is what you paid or what others might pay to buy off you.

In a similar vein, I have 5 shoe boxes rammed full of Vic stuff, none of it will ever see the light of day, let alone see use. As much as I want to let go, I think of all the time/money spent chasing after it. But if a tragedy happened and all was lost I wouldn't be too bothered.

[Mechanickal]

I suppose it's what you're comfortable with doing. When all is said and done its value is what you paid or what others might pay to buy off you.

In a similar vein, I have 5 shoe boxes rammed full of Vic stuff, none of it will ever see the light of day, let alone see use. As much as I want to let go, I think of all the time/money spent chasing after it. But if a tragedy happened and all was lost I wouldn't be too bothered.

I'll pm you my adres?

[carboncopy101]

We reuse our tools in the province. The tools are very old but the steel is still in good condition. We replace the handles every 5 years. I remember replacing the handle of a hammer. It felt pretty good carving a good handle for a hammer.

[Don Pablo]

I suppose it's what you're comfortable with doing. When all is said and done its value is what you paid or what others might pay to buy off you.

In a similar vein, I have 5 shoe boxes rammed full of Vic stuff, none of it will ever see the light of day, let alone see use. As much as I want to let go, I think of all the time/money spent chasing after it. But if a tragedy happened and all was lost I wouldn't be too bothered.

I'll pm you my adres?

I'm very reasonable. I'll take just half a shoebox please. 

[Fortytwo]

I say use it, I made a mod from parts from around that era. Then again I carried an army issued Wenger Soldat (the older 100 mm version) for most of the minimalist challenge without being too nice to it.

[Mechanickal]

I say use it, I made a mod from parts from around that era. Then again I carried an army issued Wenger Soldat (the older 100 mm version) for most of the minimalist challenge without being too nice to it.

(Image removed from quote.)

Well that is attractive on a whole new level...

[Fortytwo]

I say use it, I made a mod from parts from around that era. Then again I carried an army issued Wenger Soldat (the older 100 mm version) for most of the minimalist challenge without being too nice to it.

(Image removed from quote.)

Well that is attractive on a whole new level...

I had some parts left over after gathering parts for my planned "perfect SAK" and felt that it was a good time to test some stuff including peening without the bushings but more importantly whether the 1890 shape would work on a modern knife. There was also someone asking how stabilised wood was to work with so I threw on some stabilised Birch burl I had laying around so I could try it myself.

[Mechanickal]

I say use it, I made a mod from parts from around that era. Then again I carried an army issued Wenger Soldat (the older 100 mm version) for most of the minimalist challenge without being too nice to it.

(Image removed from quote.)

Well that is attractive on a whole new level...

I had some parts left over after gathering parts for my planned "perfect SAK" and felt that it was a good time to test some stuff including peening without the bushings but more importantly whether the 1890 shape would work on a modern knife. There was also someone asking how stabilised wood was to work with so I threw on some stabilised Birch burl I had laying around so I could try it myself.

Feel free to send me a pair of those scales

[Fortytwo]

I say use it, I made a mod from parts from around that era. Then again I carried an army issued Wenger Soldat (the older 100 mm version) for most of the minimalist challenge without being too nice to it.

(Image removed from quote.)

Well that is attractive on a whole new level...

I had some parts left over after gathering parts for my planned "perfect SAK" and felt that it was a good time to test some stuff including peening without the bushings but more importantly whether the 1890 shape would work on a modern knife. There was also someone asking how stabilised wood was to work with so I threw on some stabilised Birch burl I had laying around so I could try it myself.

Feel free to send me a pair of those scales

You have PM.