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Letter Re: The Importance of Acquiring and Learning to Use Traditional Tools
Jim,
For those readers that have livestock they need to prepare for the day when
hydrocarbon fuel may not be available for tractors. I would suggest a buck
rake and a pull-behind sickle mower that a horse could pull. It beats cutting
hay by hand. These items can often be picked up at farm and ranch auctions.
Enough hay can be put up for a few cows, horses and sheep for the winter months
when snow may cover grazing ground.
I would recommend a treadle sewing machine. Clothes will need to be mended
and taken care of until society gets back on its feet and power is restored.
Make sure you have extra needles, bobbins, thread and a couple of belts. In
an ideal situation a family should also have an extra treadle machine that
is capable of doing leather work for shoes and horse tack.
I would recommend a selection of sharpening stones and at least one black oil
stone for straight razors. A selection of saw sets for properly setting teethe
of regular hand saws and two man cross cut saws. A good felling saw should
be picked up also.
If thing stay bad long enough, traditional hand tools will be a must. A good
crosscut saw is nearly as quick as a chain saw. Axes with good steel are capable
of [being sharpened for] shaving. These are just some thoughts that I have
not noticed on your site.
- Clyde
