He had a lot of tools I wasn't really comfortable picking up as a kid, and just knew better than to touch a man's tools as an adult. However, I was able to pick out a few items when he passed away.
One of the items I picked was his shoe shine kit, written about HERE. Another was a wonderful, old-school, wooden toolbox. My final item was a very large pair of scissors. I didn't really have a need for a foot-long pair of scissors (not embellished), but I always liked their impressive size and quality construction.
(That's a set of kitchen shears next to the behemoths)
I've kept them "on display" in my home since I brought them back. Recently, having used them with only a bit of efficiency, I decided I should get them professionally sharpened. Thanks to Google and the woman that cuts my hair (she uses scissors), I found a really pro-style sharpening store near my home. Hallelujah!
I finally deciphered their funny hours and went to visit. Sure enough, a man much like my grandfather was watching his block through the store front window and greeted me as soon as I entered.
(Brand appears to be "WISS")
As soon as I handed the scissors to the owner, he said, "Where did you get these?" I told him they were my grandfather's. He then said, "Was he a roofer?" I know gramps did a lot of stuff, but don't recall this profession on his resume. So, I said, "No," but with a look of curiosity on my face.
He let me know that these huge scissors were something roofers used some time ago to cut shingles and tar paper. Though I never thought of my grandpa as a roofing expert, I told the owner that sure sounded like him. If he had a project that required a special tool or made the project turn out better, he'd go out and buy it.
The scissors took a couple days to sharpen, but did this place do an amazing job. The slightly rusty patina on the blades and worn-from-use handles were left untouched, but the business sides of the blades look amazing. I think Grandpa would be pleased and proud.
