Tool Tuesday: Small useful tools

[johan_steele]

A saw set is needed when it comes time to sharpen a saw. Unfortunately, they are not so easy to use as you might expect. But with a little practice and some luck a saw set is a useful tool. A dull saw cuts poorly if at all and can make a man get creative enough with his language that his guardian angel might gasp in horror at the language being used. A good saw set will add years to the life of a saw. I merely need to hope for the invention of a better one.

There are ample needs for a whet or oil stone in sharpening blades of various sorts in use around the homestead. A dull blade causes more trouble than it is worth. A good keen blade is useful and in some cases priceless. Whether cutting fodder with a scythe or watching the wife slice bread that sharp blade will always be appreciated.

The turn screw seen here started life as a file and an enterprising smith turned a hard used file into an excellent new tool. I like tools that started life as something else; I have several that started out as a file and have migrated into my tool chest.

The gouge fell out of a passing wagon and I gladly added it to my tool chest. A gouge is useful for making certain cuts in wood; of both the decorative sort and the more practical.