Welcome to our Antique Tools website, I’d like to take the time to introduce what it’s like to have lots of friends who share the same passion in a chosen subject and to be able to discuss aspects of the industry or specifically about any old tool you may own or have seen. It’s wonderful to have the network of friends to pick up the telephone to and have a chat but this has come about through years of contacts and being at the forefront of the antique tool market.
The difficulty over the phone is that it’s hard to share any images etc. and we often need our emails ready, this is impossible when we are out and about. This tool website has the facility for members to use the forum, share with a wider audience and keep everything in one place.
Experts come about by filtering lots of information, sometimes challenging it and drawing conclusions based on facts rather than relying hearsay. For example what’s really rare, rather than popular and being able to read trends and not getting caught out by them.
The more contacts and information a tool collector or dealer has the more they learn and their judgement improves. Much of the community is rather isolated with their own thoughts and the reason why we see so many wild prices are being presented online.
Hence why we have built this website to help those interested in antique tools in the future.
Understanding the vintage tool market:
We are unique to the vintage used tool market in that we first learnt what the trained craftsman demands from high quality tools, the set up and functionality aspect but now we feel we are truly ready to now focus on the Antique tools market that requires a critical eye which also incorporates the importance of ‘in the detail’.
Expert craftsmen who use Tooltique will soon realise we know our stuff with vintage tools, whilst many amateur’s who still insist on knowing best continue to buy what we would deem as substandard user grade tools, at full retail price and higher. These vintage tools usually also require a professional hand and the time involved to eek out the best from them.
As a time served tradesman who worked solely on price work, it’s not just standards but efficiency to achieve those standards that’s important and the hand tools used has a direct impact on production. It’s clear by many of the vintage tools we have handled over the years that there are major differences in the understanding of how tools should be maintained or function.
What does this have to do with Antique tools?
How can an antique tool be judged on condition without a full understanding of its functionality or recognising whether parts are a later addition or in period. An understanding of these facts often lies in the detail of whether if something has been replaced such as an iron, whether it is suitable to the plane. Knowing whether a tool has been through amateur hands should play a part in making an informed decision on an antique tool’s value. Likewise identifying whether something has had a hard life, describing its originality when this plays an important role on those antique tools that are deemed near mint.
Who are the authorities within the antique tool industry? Who are specialists and whose opinions matter? There are those we know but definitively adding names to said tool categories only comes about by these other specialists making themselves known to us. I’d say they should get in touch!
Knowing dates and other details such as history is one aspect and forms part of a greater picture, hence why many books are limited in their assessment. Rarely do they include using judgment to give the reader a true reflection of a tool’s standing in the marketplace.
What does this website bring?
It’s been built to serve a community better, antiquetools.co.uk is not new to antique tool auctions but in this new form and new direction, it is very new. We understand many people don’t always like change but many things are changing all around us in recent years and the web has become a feature in most people’s lives nowadays and online auctions are here to stay.
We bring fresh energy, a proven record of selling via our other website and bring with us a good reputation that has been built on delivering consistent service, a good work ethic and some much-needed standards.
The website is designed to:
- Reduce buyer’s premium membership role that rewards regular buyers with lower buyer’s premiums according to their historic spending.
- The forum accessible to all registered users gives direct access to ourselves and others who can help with any questions members have.
- As the website matures, the tool auctions will leave a historic inventory that members can search and compare their condition to assess a more accurate valuation.
- Become a focal point which recognises and celebrates people who are authorities within their respective fields.
- Expand knowledge and better understand the judgement needed when looking at antique tools.
- Have longevity, we are a 2nd and 3rd generation business, we have been around a long time and will plan to be here many years to come.
Worthy of consideration:
We are attracting some wonderful tools, yes selectively, but that’s got to be much better for those looking for good quality old tools. I’ve always been a great believer in the power of association, why would you mix exceptional tools with tools that struggle to find a bidder? How does it benefit antique or collectable tools when many other lots consist of tools more suited to a car boot sale?
So are you still on the outside looking in?
Whilst this website is a new design and will take time for the community to build, those waiting to join to see what happens first should consider this. By joining us before the action happens:
- Is a big thumbs up to us to keep driving on with this project.
- It gets you involved and used to using your my-account page (Top Right)
- It gives you time to understand the website and what is where.
- Find our forum and start asking questions.
So get involved and register today with no sign-up fee.
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