Unpopular opinion: I used to grab every rusty tool I saw, now I only buy stuff with patina

Back in 2019, I'd snap up any old wrench or hammer at the Raleigh flea market, even if it was crusted with rust. After a few broken handles and a tetanus scare from a chisel, I started only picking tools with a nice even patina but no flaking rust. Has anyone else shifted their buying rules after a bad experience with over-restored junk?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_wendy2mo ago

Watch patina hide cracks that'll snap under tension.

leor372mo ago

Patina is a liar for sure. I started cleaning my watches more often after one snapped on me @the_wendy. A good wipe down keeps the metal honest.

eric_carr20d ago

Not gonna lie, I kinda like patina though. It gives the watch character and makes it look like it's actually been used, you know? Is that really worth sacrificing just to avoid a crack that might never even happen?