I saw an interesting woodworking tool on the ‘Bay today. It looks period for colgaffneyis and the buy-it-now price is not bad–$42. I don’t have anything like it. It is being sold by a reputable dealer–I have bought tools from him before.

Just one thing. It is 190 years old, a good ways toward actually being period. Is it OK to buy something that old and actually use it? It is in good shape, just needs some sharpening. I am not going to buy it just to hang on the wall. There is no modern replica available.

I happily use a couple planes and drills that are 80-90 years old, but adding a century seems like a stretch.

I have to make up my mind in the next three hours.