I am not sure when the display cabinet appeared. I know it wasn’t always there, but sometime in the last couple of visits there it was. A small glass doored case mounted on the wall above the chairs at the barbershop that you mostly noticed in the reflection of the wall length mirrors opposite. Left side of open display case You see, even though I noticed it was there, and could tell it held some barbershop paraphernalia, I was never really interested enough to take a closer look. I am not a barber, what could be there for me? Turns out quite a lot. “I am not a collector” is something I used to say when the topic of tools came up. I would go on and on, well past what most people bargained for. I never considered the assortment of beat up tools in my possession worthy of the title “Collection”. Right side of open display case After all, in my mind the only criteria necessary for acquiring a tool is need. If I needed a tool for a specific task, and I had the money, I would buy it. I didn’t want to be the guy that hung a perfectly good handsaw on the wall as decoration, ending its useful life. A CLOSE SHAVE WITH COLLECTING
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I am not sure when the display cabinet
appeared. I know it wasn’t always there, but sometime in the last couple of visits
there it was. A small glass doored case
mounted on the wall above the chairs at
the barbershop that you mostly noticed
in the reflection of the wall length
mirrors opposite.
Left side of open display case
You see, even though I noticed it was
there, and could tell it held some
barbershop paraphernalia, I was never
really interested enough to take a closer
look. I am not a barber, what could be
there for me? Turns out quite a lot.
“I am not a collector” is something I used to say when the topic of tools came
up. I would go on and on, well past
what most people bargained for. I never
considered the assortment of beat up
tools in my possession worthy of the title
“Collection”.
Right side of open display case
After all, in my mind the only criteria
necessary for acquiring a tool is need.
If I needed a tool for a specific task, and
I had the money, I would buy it. I didn’t want to be the guy that hung a perfectly
good handsaw on the wall as decoration,
ending its useful life.
A CLOSE SHAVE WITH COLLECTING
I’m a builder by trade; my tools had to work, had to earn their keep, but after
twenty years in the business, the tools
just sort of accumulated.
How often did I use some of those tools?
Who’s to say that rarely used handsaw hanging on the pegboard in my shop
isn’t now a decoration? It sure looks good. It gives the place a real wood shop
“feel”, although the mitre saw and table saw do all of the heavy lifting.
The light bulb moment really came
along with the kids. I am a 4H
Woodworking Leader and both of my
children are involved. The class averages
10 to 12 kids, so I needed a lot hand
tools to keep them all busy at the same
time. Before I knew it I had 8 crosscut
saws, 4 backsaws, 5 braces, 4
combination squares along with dozens
of chisels and planes. I have also
managed to fill an entire bookshelf with
books on tools. When I finally took the
plunge and joined the ATCA I had to
admit that I might be a tool collector.
Instead of railing against it, I decided to
embrace this new interest as part of who
I am and it has had a big impact on me.
Art Keeble had once warned me that
collecting changes a person.
Closed display case
I would typically describe myself as a
shy guy, but I am really starting to enjoy
meeting new people and learning about
what aspect of tool collecting is
important to them. Collecting is the
perfect non-religious, non-political
common ground when getting to know
someone new. My wife Nicole will
suggest, and often does, that I am
oblivious to the world around me.
Collecting has opened my eyes a little
wider and helped me become more
observant. All of this influenced me
enough to make me stand up and take a
good look at the contents of the display
case, on my last visit to the barbershop.
There were several ornate metal razors,
china shaving cream bowls and wood
handled brushes in the case.
Blaise’s chair
When it was my turn, I sat down in the
owner, Blaise’s chair and for the first time in 15 years we didn’t talk about the weather. Instead, I commented on the
case and asked him about the contents.
Blaise proudly explained that the items
were all family pieces passed down to
him by his father and uncles. He even
stopped in the middle of the cut to show
me a unique piece he was very excited
about.
“Best Sheffield Steel” inscription
Closed silver case Open case with blade attached to
sharpener and handle on the right
It was an engraved silver case that housed a sharpening stone on one side and a leather strap on
the other. This ingenious little travel case gave the option for a razor blade to either be
sharpened on the stone or stropped on the leather, allowing its owner to have a sharp blade and
close shave wherever their travels may take them.
As it turns out, barbering is in the blood. Blaise took over the shop from his father and by
displaying his collection he is preserving that history. What was supposed to be a quick Saturday
morning trip to the barber turned out to be more like a school field trip! I really learned a lot that
day; about Blaise, about razors and about the history of barbershops. I may have also ripped off
that razor case idea for a portable blade-sharpening jig, but that’s another story for another time. ~ Rob Porter~
Below: A small sample of my “collection”. Notice the fancy cardboard box used for storage.
IN MEMORIAM
It is with deep regret that we inform you
of the passing of one our own, David
Murray, 66, of Irishtown, New
Brunswick. His wife of 33 years, Fonda,
notified us earlier this year that David
had passed away in hospital on January
15, 2017. The following is an excerpt
from his obituary:
Born in Moncton, he was the son of the
late Lionel and Pauline (Atkinson)
Murray. David was formerly employed
with Maritime Farm Supplies. He was a
member of the Buckskinners
Muzzleloading Association and the
Danks’ Rangers. David was very much an outdoorsperson, enjoying walking,
canoeing and snowshoeing. He was an
antique collector, enjoyed woodworking,
cartoons and to his family, he was known
as "Mr. Fix It". David was an avid
historian and enjoyed socializing with his
friends and family, especially his
grandchildren.
You can view David’s full obituary online at the following url: http://www.monctonobituaries.com/p
ost.php?id=1685
MEMBER INPUT REQUESTED
We would like to put a call out to the
Membership for submissions to be
included in future editions of ATCA
News. If you have an item in your
collection that you need help to identify
please send photos and a note with any
information you have that may assist in
identifying it.
Member Profiles are also a great way to
introduce yourself to other members and
make contact with those sharing common
interests. Even if you send a rough draft
of what you’d like to say, we can polish it before it goes to print.
Ken Greene is looking for a 20” x 4” Stanley or Disston Backsaw and has 12” x 3.5” Millers Falls and 28” x 5” Disston Backsaws for sale / trade. Also Sargent 408 and 409 planes for sale / trade. Call Ken at 902-435-2250 or email [email protected]
Scott Ross is still collecting mining paraphernalia and is in need of a coal bucket or coal scuttle. Condition doesn’t matter. His email is [email protected]
Kevin Wood is searching for the following items: Buggy wheels & nuts L&R Mi’kmaq stone tools Work benches
Ship’s wheel Caulking tools Mandrel (Blacksmith’s) Large anvil Whale oil lamp Wooden dasher type butter churn Kevin’s email is: [email protected]
Art Keeble has 110 horseshoe caulks for sale - $20.00 for the lot. Contact Art at (902)889-2324
2017 MEMEBERSHIP DUES This is a reminder that the 2017 Annual Membership Dues are now past due. Please make cheques in the amount of $15, payable to “Atlantic Tool Collectors Association”. If anyone is unsure of their membership status please contact Ken Greene at: 131 Bellbrook Crescent Dartmouth, N.S. B2W 0G7 (902)435-2250 [email protected]