Gardening Tools Question

[LadyLocust]

I have a question for y'all. (Surprise )
For your gardening tools, do you treat the wooden handles? If so how often? On a schedule? With what?
Also, what about the metal portion? Any tips/tricks.
I recently learned of copper tools since they don't rust and tend to self sharpen - I was in awe! Hadn't seen those before.

I just treated several of the handles with a conditioning oil mixture I made and some with some old "olde English" I had and wanted to use up - figured better than nothing. Also, I keep a bucket of oiled sand and stick the trowels and small hand tools in it somewhat often.

I am in the mode of getting things in good shape and trying to keep them that way. It's spring so maybe the spring cleaning bug - who knows.

 

[Bacpacker]

I've never treated my handles, something to consider. I do use the oiled sand method on stuff too. Works well

 

[Pearl]

Clean motor oil! That's how my dad did it!! Handles and metal!!

 

[LadyLocust]

Clean motor oil! That's how my dad did it!! Handles and metal!!

Bet it works great, but

pee yew.

 

[Pearl]

Bet it works great, but View attachment 85092 pee yew.

CLEAN oil, once it soaks in it's ok!!

 

[Bacpacker]

I think Linseed or Tung oil either one would be very effective

 

[LadyLocust]

I think Linseed or Tung oil either one would be very effective

The concoction I mixed up had some linseed in it - wasn't sure on garden items.

 

[Bacpacker]

I don't think it would hurt anything. Once it soaks in good it's not gonna be available to get on anything anyway

 

[backlash]

Boiled linseed oil on anything wood. Metal parts are kept clean and oiled with whatever I have in the shed.
I keep my garden tools in the shed out of the sun when I'm not using them. I never leave tools laying around the place.
I have read about the bucket of sand soaked in oil but never used it.
One other thing I always do is keep cutting or digging tools sharp. I have a farmers file to give the edges a quick sharpening when I put them away. I even carry the file if I'm going to be digging a lot like when I hoe weeds.

 

[Peanut]

As a kid I don’t remember the wooden handles ever being dressed, oiled or painted. They were just sanded smooth, bare wood. Hammers, hoes, axes… we used them almost daily. Hoes, we’d hoe cotton or corn for 10/12 hours everyday for most of June. Our big garden was hoe'd all summer. Oil from our skin would darken wood over time.

In these modern times hoe’s and axes don’t get used nearly that often in comparison. They come with a coat of poly on the handle. Last summer when I got the new sander I sanded every tool handle on the farm and gave them a new coat of poly. Metal parts, when needed they get a squirt of wd-40, chain lube, grease, oil, whatever is handy.

Bare wood, hand shaped hickory handles can still be purchased locally but you have to know the guy who makes them, order in person. Like these axes. Guy used to drop them off at the barbershop in town.

 

[Pearl]

Boiled linseed oil on anything wood. Metal parts are kept clean and oiled with whatever I have in the shed.
I keep my garden tools in the shed out of the sun when I'm not using them. I never leave tools laying around the place.
I have read about the bucket of sand soaked in oil but never used it.
One other thing I always do is keep cutting or digging tools sharp. I have a farmers file to give the edges a quick sharpening when I put them away. I even carry the file if I'm going to be digging a lot like when I hoe weeds.

I keep those handy too!!

 

[backlash]

As a kid I don’t remember the wooden handles ever being dressed, oiled or painted. They were just sanded smooth, bare wood. Hammers, hoes, axes… we used them almost daily. Hoes, we’d hoe cotton or corn for 10/12 hours everyday for most of June. Our big garden was hoe'd all summer. Oil from our skin would darken wood over time.

In these modern times hoe’s and axes don’t get used nearly that often in comparison. They come with a coat of poly on the handle. Last summer when I got the new sander I sanded every tool handle on the farm and gave them a new coat of poly. Metal parts, when needed they get a squirt of wd-40, chain lube, grease, oil, whatever is handy.

Bare wood, hand shaped hickory handles can still be purchased locally but you have to know the guy who makes them, order in person. Like these axes. Guy used to drop them off at the barbershop in town.

View attachment 85093

I wish I could get handles for tools at a reasonable price.
I can usually buy a new tool cheaper than a new handle.

 

[Pearl]

I wish I could get handles for tools at a reasonable price.
I can usually buy a new tool cheaper than a new handle.

Some of the new handles are not as tough as the old ones. Hubby and I look for old tools at yard sales just for the handles.

 

[kenv1950]

I think Linseed or Tung oil either one would be very effective

YES ! on the Tung oil 100% pure ....... takes a long time to dry but well worth it , Do them in off season so they have a lot of time to dry

 

[backlash]

Some of the new handles are not as tough as the old ones. Hubby and I look for old tools at yard sales just for the handles.

I have more garden and yard tools than I could ever need.
I have some of my Grandparents, all of my Dad and Mom's and all of mine.
I just need laborers to use them all and I would be set.

 

[Pearl]

I have more garden and yard tools than I could ever need.
I have some of my Grandparents, all of my Dad and Mom's and all of mine.
I just need laborers to use them all and I would be set.

I run into labor shortages here too

 

[joel]

I got a call from wife, she found garden tools for $5.00 each three years ago. I told her to buy two of each, they had fiberglass handles.
As for the wooden ones, no I do not oil them, I keep them out of the rain in a walk in tool box.