rakes through the years
Wasting anything bothers me. As I had my volunteer leaf rakers ask about rakes I had that they could use, I had to go down to the basement and look. I knew there were rakes in the bowels of my repository of tools and projects.
You may think I have hoarded broken rakes. I don't see it that way. These all have use left in them and, they are used. AND, three were used lately. At least one can be repaired. Besides, I have room for them and keep them in one place.
The metal rake on the right has a broken wooden handle that can be repaired, replaced. I think. The next rake, the little green one in the middle is small but very usable. The plastic on the left is snaggle-tooth. As I watched, someone misused it. That person laughed when it broke. That person never set foot in my yard again. The industrial rake, the one with the yellow handle is my pride and joy. I bought it about 15 years ago for something like $35. That was back when I could afford it. I want that to be the last rake I ever need to buy.
So, there they sit, rakes waiting on people to wield them. The rake with the broken handle may be a project. It is raining, so they need to be returned to shelter. The yellow one is on the porch.
I wonder how old the little metal ones are. My son is 46 and used the little ones. So I suppose the little ones are 46 years old, at least. We had them before he was born. They appeal to me like many old tools from my past do.
Your turn
Do you still have metal rakes like the two smaller ones? Do you get rid of rakes? Or, do you keep them as spares, knowing maybe more than one person will be using them? Maybe you have no need for rakes but have something you keep around when you buy a new one?
