Day 7: Purified/refined Linseed Oil Finishing has gotten a lot easier here now that we have switched to raw linseed oil that has been purified/refined. These oils are lighter than your hardware store linseed oil, they dry fast and they don’t have any heavy metallic driers. You can use them on their own or in…
Read moreDay 6: Pica Markers & Mechanical Pencils This year I have completely embraced the Pica marking stuff. It is not perfect (details below). But it is still miles beyond what I was using before. What makes it awesome? Pica’s “Longlife Cap.” This is basically a scabbard that clips tenaciously to your shop apron, waist apron…
Read moreDay 5: Hans Karlsson & Jason Lonon Scorps/Inshaves Good scorps/inshaves are expensive and difficult to come by. Most of the used and discount scorps I’ve seen are not worth messing with. I’ve tried grinding them and even cold-bending their handles in an effort to make them work. Most times the old tool simply wasn’t made…
Read moreDay 3: Old Town Utility Jacket (& a Work Jacket) For many years, Old Town has made fantastic custom workwear (chairmaker John Brown was a customer). It now seems that the company is simplifying its operations and not taking on any new customers for custom work. But despair not, for Old Town is still supplying…
Read moreDay 2: Origin Work Jeans Made in MaineI’m always looking for good domestic-made workwear, not the stuff peddled for hipsters who wear Carhartt WIP. During the last year I have been wearing Origin Work Jeans, which are made in Maine. I have been unable to wear them out. First, the inseams are triple-stitched. Yes, it…
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