Refinishing an Old Western Cutlery Knife for My Brother-in-Law

Soaking the blade in white vinegar to remove the rust and add a blue patina.  After soaking the blade, be sure to wipe it down well and oil immediately.

More Work on the Bus

We worked on the bus this weekend. I assigned the children to remove the rubber flooring.

I was tasked with grinding off the seat bolts.  They were old, rusty and stripped.

I loaded them in Ol' Blue and took them to the dump.  It took me two trips.

Seats and rubber flooring removed in the back.

Then the front.

Then I painted the plywood to seal it.  We're going to put down self-adhesive carpet.

Stay tuned.  The project is moving quickly.

MOH

The Bus for the Land

We bought a bus to turn into a camper and put on our land.  It's a 1988 GMC with a 366ci engine and an Allison transmission.

Making a Rough Sawn Bench, Part 1

Snow & Nealley 3 1/4 lb. Axe Head

I'm not working as much as I used to.  Different job, different hours, better pay.  For the first time in over a year, I had the opportunity to go outside and split wood today.  I won't use a wood splitter.  Too loud, too smelly, too much to go wrong.

Took me about two hours to do this pile.  Man, I felt good afterwards.

This is my Snow & Nealley 3 1/4 lb. axe on a 32" haft.  It is, by far, my favorite splitting axe.  I got it out of my grandfather's garage in Northern Maine a few years ago.  It had a few chunks taken out of the face.  I filed it down to repair it and it has been my favorite ever since.

According to the markings, I'd say it was made in the 50's or 60's.  It goes to show that investing in a good tool can bring you (or, in this case your grandson or great grandson) years of use.

Pax Domini,

MOH

1948 Farmall B

This is a picture of my grandfather and I from around 1998. He was telling me his plans for the 1948 Farmall B in the picture.  It belonged to my great uncle, but he stored it on the family farm.  I learned how to run a clutch and a stick on it and it sprouted my love for tractors.  

It was eventually restored, complete with shiny red paint and decals.  I'm not sure where the tractor is now, but I certainly do miss it.

*edit* Just found a picture of it after it was restored.

MOH

Gaucho Knives

I'm not working at the dump anymore.  I got a better job with better pay in a better environment.  However, I have a buddy that still works there and he's picking the pile for me. We split the proceeds.  He called me and told me he had some old cutlery.  I've never had luck with selling cutlery, unless it's hunting knives.  

I was pleased when he brought me the load (other things will be posted soon). I didn't know what they were, so I looked for identifying marks and did an internet search.

These are gaucho daggers .  What are gaucho knives?

More information here.