Rust Hunting Is a Bit Thin

[Jim Koepke]

Though these were in town locally. Stopped at the second hand store and found a twelve inch extension for hex drive bits.

Stopped at the antique mall and found a nice seven inch pair of scissors.

7%22 Scissors.jpg Scissors Makker's Mark Diamond Edge Shapleigh.jpg

Besides having a very good sound when the blades close the trade mark caught my eye. This is the same antique mall where a Shapleigh scythe was purchased years ago. Cleaned them up, disassembled them, had a minute or two on the stones, applied a few drops of oil, put them back together and went for a test drive. They cut the thinest materials without folding it over.

Scissors with screws so the can come apart or be adjusted are much preferred over the newer scissors held together with a rivet.

jtk

[Cameron Wood]

The town next to me used to be the antique capital of the entire region. Now there is maybe one store left.
There's a few shops about 45 minute drive north.

[Jim Koepke]

The town next to me used to be the antique capital of the entire region. Now there is maybe one store left.
There's a few shops about 45 minute drive north.

Strange how that happens. It is difficult enough to run a business and deal with regular product flow from suppliers. An antique shop is a different story. There isn't any supply line of product in a catalog. Either people bring stuff in to sell or someone has to go out and hunt for it. From my experience over the years many tend to be around a few years and then close up. The antique malls are even struggling at times. One near me has a terrible problem with shoplifters stealing things.

Another problem is the vendors keep changing.

jtk

[Rob Luter]

The town next to me used to be the antique capital of the entire region. Now there is maybe one store left. There's a few shops about 45 minute drive north.

My wife and I have been avid "Antiquers" for years and see the same thing. Covid made a big impact, but there's less demand too. The younger generations just aren't interested. The quality of goods is way off as well. We hit shops in Indiana, Kentucky, and Missouri last week on a road trip and were pretty disappointed. I used to find lots of tools. Not so much anymore.

[Cameron Wood]

Yes, I think it is not the supply, but the demand. Younger folks aren't interested, and they can only afford smaller homes (if they're lucky) so less room for stuff.