Screwdriver Rescue! Can they be saved?

[@ScoutCrafter]

Sorry for being late- 3rd 🦝 shot! 😂👍

[@tonysheerness2427]

Are you frothing at the mouth yet?

[@Vandal_Savage]

Take all the time you need - we can wait! Your health is more important to us than your uploads (but not much more important - I was beginning to get withdrawal symptoms 😁) Screwdrivers turned out great too!

[@harris87389]

hello sir i found you by accident and love your content.i hope all is well ,now i have a question ,i have been coolecting crystal over the years do you know any body that may be willing to purchase any?.thank you for your time.

[@jamesalsup9135]

God Bless America!

[@pauleugene8286]

I love the nail trick! That's a great shop hack!

[@bobjoncas2814]

...lookin' great, have a good weekend..

[@laddlll]

woo hoo love that flag, God Bless America,

[@mrbenmall]

The nail is a marvelous idea! I love how you profile a screwdriver head. Perfect!

[@tonylenge424]

Great tip for converting the nail to a scraper. Thanks

[@unwired1281]

Hey I like that morph effect at the end. It’ll make it easier to show my wife. She only wants to see the outcome.

[@conscience-commenter]

If you see an old, quality tool that is encrusted with rust, paint , epoxy or whatever. Remember it can be brought back by submerging it in furniture stripper and acetone for a while. After scrubbing the layers off it will give way to a cleaner handle and surface and then you have a usable tool again .Many thanks to John for his hard, innovative work restoring quality tools and keeping them in service and out of landfills .

[@357magdad]

Rescuing old tools is fun - especially if they are wood handle square shank screwdrivers!

[@ScoutCrafter]

You are the Guru of those Wood handle Screwdrivers!!!!

[@357magdad]

@@ScoutCrafter I like them a lot!

[@namleets57]

You could sell your old flag. I would rather have one that flew over scoutcrafters on display in my workshop than one that flew over the capital

[@ScoutCrafter]

Send me your address it’s yours! 😃👍. [e-mail]

[@metrofarmer913]

Granddaughter born today. Thanks and cheers

[@ScoutCrafter]

Congratulations! You are allowed to spoil the Grandchildren! Just not your Children. =D

[@waltsmith1305]

Thanks for taking the time to make these videos. I enjoy the mundane sitting at my bench doing simple things time

[@mariehov1]

I've tried wrapping a CRC Wipes around a screwdriver with paint on the handle. Stuff the handle with Wipes around in a plastic bag overnight. Works incredibly well. Greetings from Sweden

[@ElwoodFarmGoats]

Now I want to clean up some screwdrivers. Good to see snoopy moved.

[@ScoutCrafter]

12:41 look under the bench.. He moves a lot but people just don't see him! LOL

[@lordvengerx]

Screwdrivers came out super fantastic. That black handle with chrome is top notch. The flag is flowing majestically. Looks really good. Have a great weekend everyone be safe out there 😺👍

[@nescobaraloplop9468]

My two favorite things: fixing hunkajunk tools and Old Glory. Thanks!

[@davidausterman5915]

I LOVE the Stanley 100 screwdrivers. I buy them every time I find them.

[@JohnSmith-vc4yg]

Love seeing these things thru your eyes😊

[@terryrogers1025]

Nice save on the screw drivers, especially the Stanley. The 🦝 shots, well, better safe than sorry, stay the course, you will get thru it sir. Thanks for info on the pads, I will give it a try. Thanks for the video sir.

[@ScoutCrafter]

One more to go the day after Thanksgiving. The worst part is the 3 hour wait! 😂👍

[@jill552]

Nice screwdrivers. Nice 🇺🇸

[@wyattoneable]

I like the trick scraping the plastic with the razor blade. Also, I agree about the square shank screw drivers. I like them because you can put a wrench on them for extra torque.

[@danieldumaine6139]

Another great video. That Stanely Screwdriver was really a surprise.

[@ScoutCrafter]

That screwdriver was really used!!!!! Those old 100 series screwdrivers were really well made. =D

[@not2fast4u2c]

The wood handle is so nice I like when the flat part is like on the plastic handle one if you want to pry stuff with it

[@ScoutCrafter]

Jim- I think most square shanked screwdrivers are that way. 😃👍

[@setdown2]

Nice job on the screwdrivers …wood handles to me always feel better …plastic is ok but it’s well …plastic … FYI…I’ll see my Grandson over the thanksgiving holiday…can’t wait…The Marines have done him good…still has a big Hug for his Grandpa… from when he was just a knee high…🖖🏻

[@ScoutCrafter]

From what I hear the wood screwdrivers are big in the aviation sector! They love them because they don’t get hot. Semper Fi to your Grandson! 😃👍🇺🇸

[@dano4700]

Ooh, getting fancy with the cinematography. Love the ending. Cheers 👍🇦🇺

[@tommiller5014]

great tip with the nail!!

[@1978garfield]

Glad I watched this. It reminded me I had a couple pair of pliers soaking in vinegar. I am amazed how well that works, learned it from you. My wife volunteers at a thrift store and I get the tools that are in too bad of shape to sell. She brought home a big pair of lineman pliers that were a giant ball of rust, frozen solid. Some 3 in one oil got them loose and vinegar and wire brush let me see the Klein Tools logo. They don't look new but are plenty good enough to use.

[@beerdrinker6452]

You are the man. Love watching your videos. Gotta get off my butt. This year I am going to give some restored user tools to my few bros. I pay more attention to you than I do to my doctor. Thank you.

[@krishoogstraat6866]

Love that Stanley! The wooden handle screwdriver is a classic as well. John very nice. Ole Glory looks Great!!!

[@ScoutCrafter]

Hook! 😃👍

[@PRMCOAK510]

I love wood handle screwdrivers!! I have almost 300 in a box and counting. Around half of them are the normal square taiwan o es but the other half are cool collectible.

[@408Magenta]

Scout always gives us a quality show. I enjoy them all!! Thanks.

[@johnmiller9695]

I like the pad testing... good info..

[@ScoutCrafter]

Thanks 👍

[@lv_woodturner3899]

Well done on the screwdrivers. I have the Stanley style where the peak of the square shank becomes the flat tip. I like the other design where the flat of the square becomes the flat tip. As you said square shank are useful. I have used a wrench on a square shank screwdriver to get some stuck screws undone many times which saved my proverbial bacon at the time. Dave.

[@larryborkstrom3580]

Good to put thr screwdriver back in service to be user tools

[@jackthompson2132]

Awesome screwdriver’s John ! Screwdrivers are really fun to do and rewarding. Thank You for sharing 🇺🇸

[@paedahe4975]

I agree. This channel is great. Always putting attention to the details. 👍🇺🇸

[@upsidedowndog1256]

Real cool! Sometimes simple projects are like taking a mini vacation. I just got one like the Stanley but twice the size. I just wire wheeled the shank, handle is ugly but works fine. May try your golfball trick on it later.

[@wayneo7307]

Hi Scout , Great Job . Two Very Nice Screwdrivers Now. Nice Save ! Have A Great Weekend Scout !

[@americansewingmachineresto1545]

Nice flag. Ours is on the front of the house next to the garage. I need to put up a new bracket but will need to get out my masonry drills as house is brick. Won’t be able to reuse more than 1 hole due to pattern of my bracket is 4 hole. I haven’t found any similar bolt patterns. Good spring project. Very nice screwdriver refurb. I keep a few off brand ones to use for all the dirty non-screw driving tasks. One of them looks like your Stanley did. Have a great weekend. Best Regards, John

[@ScoutCrafter]

John- Sometimes an old beat up screwdriver is our turn to favorite tool! 😃👍

[@ron.v]

You asked what we think about the flag. I'm a veteran. I've never known a vet who didn't get a little emotional every time he sees Old Glory flying in the breeze.

[@nicknicoletti9778]

I love square shanked screwdrivers as well. It’s all I look for. For my daily use at work. So much stronger. Nice restoration! Love the finish you leave on the steel. And the flag looks new. But awesome! It’ll soon flow

[@aceroadholder2185]

A handy trick for wire wheels: If you have a wire wheel with a flat hub like John's favorite in the video, drill three holes equidistant from the hub through hole in the flat surface of the wire wheel. Now you may use nuts and bolts in the holes as weights to balance the wire wheel. Doing this makes a huge improvement in your wire wheel buffer. The reduction in vibration to zero makes the plot so much nicer to use, not to mention the wear and tear on the electric motor. Cheers from NC/USA

[@barryhunt5357]

Beautiful cleanup SC

[@SteveMcQuillin]

Great job on the screwdrivers. I picked up a bunch of Stanley 100s a while back, and while everyone else is scrambling to get heat in the shop, it is finally cool enough where I can head out there for more than 20 minutes at a time here in Central Florida. Looking forward to getting them cleaned up and in use.

[@crr8297]

Nice job and nice to see old glory. The dollar tree is now the dollar twenty five tree store in my location

[@ScoutCrafter]

Yes here too. Soon to be the $2 store! 😂👍

[@GuntersGarage]

Those came out great. That is a master pro tip for cleaning the groves out! If you were to take all your pro tips and edit them into shorts you would break the internet! My favorite part of changing out my flags is how vibrant the colors are. I was using import flags for a while and only getting a couple months out of them. Big difference when I switched to the USA made flags. Its a damn shame when you have to look a little to find an American flag made in America. I learned that if it dont say where its made its almost certainly an import.

[@ScoutCrafter]

Absolutely true. I have some beautiful embroidered flags that are awesome but they don't fly well unless the wind is really kicking. I have a neighbor who bough a huge large flag and all it does is lay next to the poll. Mine is flying all the time even in light winds. =D

[@toolscarriagesmodellbauand7246]

The little scraper made from a nail is a very good idea.I love that black screwdriver. Is looking great.

[@skip9766]

Out of box stiff or worn and tattered she’s the best. She’s a grand old flag!

[@bryanmcwhirter9945]

Hello, I've often used scotch brite pads glued to a used non porous sanding disc for R.O. sanders for removing rusted machinery and metal, also cutout discs for arbors such as drill or angle grinders works great. Thankyou Scott!

[@ScoutCrafter]

Great tip! 😃👍

[@tony1721]

And the best feeling is to make a too “ usable” , totally my mindset, that’s what they are for 🙂

[@ScoutCrafter]

Sometimes I enjoy taking a tool that had been really abused and then restore and retire it. 😃

[@tomdale1313]

"Snoop" finally I see the Snoop...tanks for sharing

[@DCPorter71]

brilliant job as usual

[@matthewf8506]

Scoutcrafter great idea trimming down the nail to get in the grooves! Always learn so much in your videos. Thank you!

[@williamlouis5011]

Great video. I use those pads to make discs for my angle grinder and they work great. I see your little buddy found his way back!

[@terrysmith4465]

Your flag is awesome.

[@paulsworkshop4179]

Such a cool little project! Those look nice.

[@Reggyontheroad]

Got ya boom 👍👍🔩🔩

[@snapringchronicles3020]

I’m gonna check out those pads at Dollar Tree 👀👍

[@ScoutCrafter]

Pick up a few they are phasing them out Rich!

[@peteb2]

Haha, “Where’s Snoopy…… “? He’s under the Houdini can on the shelf your right! My country, summers on its way downunder here in New Zealand, Saturday arvo… knocking 23 C…. Great video, as always, thanks.😊

[@big_steven2226]

You could use the condensate coming back from the boiler to heat a heat exchanger unit

[@rawbacon]

It's funny all those millions Of Craftsman Acetate Screwdrivers were made with Round Shank for the Phillips and Square Shank for the Flat Tip.

[@ScoutCrafter]

I have a couple of square shank Phillips screwdrivers they aren’t very common but they are interesting.

[@EmporerBlock]

Do you have a video on re-grinding the screwdriver tips?

[@ScoutCrafter]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/mX2mgJaAjLNlos0

[@michaelowens7151]

We have another “tool coincidence”, at the local flea market today was this same screwdriver only bigger with a chunk out of the handle and amazingly covered with paint and glue bits. I don’t understand what it is that people do with tools, like they never had any basic instruction. “Now listen, this is a screwdriver, it is used to drive screws, it is not a chisel, prybar, paint stirrer, or weapon; no wonder most tips are snapped off short. Nice videos this week along with those beautiful flag shots!

[@ScoutCrafter]

I think we all have our screw turning screwdrivers and then we have our multi-tool Screwdrivers. =D The key is not to ruin your good screwdrivers with rough work. =D

[@lotsatrains]

Beautiful job on both screwdrivers and what a fantastic tip about making that scraper from a nail head that blew me away and love the flag waving in the wind even the editing with the music wow 👍

[@denniswhite166]

ALWAYS WEAR EYE PROTECTION WHEN USING WIRE WHEELS.

[@ScoutCrafter]

Well said! 😃👍

[@stephendoherty1275]

Nice.

[@57WillysCJ]

Nicely done. I am going to find some good screwdrivers with trashed handles this winter and make some wood handles. Night time lows here in the single digets just in time for deer season.

[@ScoutCrafter]

Single digits! I’m not happy when the temps drop below freezing. The price of oil just drains my pockets. 🫣

[@57WillysCJ]

Later when it's been not above zero in a week, single digits start to feel good.🤣

[@rollerbald]

Beautiful job John. You have inspired me to do better on my projects. Thanks!

[@krazyntx995]

Thanks for the tips on rescuing older screwdrivers or other hand tools. I like to use simple tools and your nail with the sanded down head is a great tip as using sandpaper in the grooves of that screwdriver would round off the edges. I have some older screwdrivers which belonged to my Dad and you have given me some ideas of how to refresh those and make them look like new or nearly new.

[@jeffreyyeater1780]

Woodstove and Resnor here in A kron .

[@ihrescue]

I am in a multi step project to heat and cool my garage. I had an electrician install a 220 volt circuit and I have ordered a MrCool mini split heating cooling system for my garage. Heating and cooling. I am fine working in the shop on my machines as long as it's above 40 and below 80.

[@ScoutCrafter]

That was a smart move. When you are comfortable it is also safer because you aren't distracted by your body telling you to "stop this nonsense!" =D

[@timeflysintheshop]

Unless you want it to stay, then it comes off easy! 😔😉😁

[@frankwaters2133]

"unless you want it to stay there on our purpose, then it seems to come off easy" LOL 5:20 😃

[@ScoutCrafter]

Frank I swear it's true! You can prep and prime the area and have mediocre results but drip some paint on accidentally and it will be there forever! =D

[@lotsabirds]

A few comments...1st...great video with great restorations! Next...that was the fastest 14 plus minutes I've ever seen. I get lost in the process and the time flies! Finally, it seems like I hear..."Well, we made it through another week." seemingly every day! Man, this week, this month, this year just seems to be flying by! Thanks for adding knowledge and enjoyment to my life! Have Fun...and...change that band aid! Lol!

[@ScoutCrafter]

LOL- You know I go thru about 6 bandaids a day! They get wet and then they seem to attract dirt! 😂. Believe it or not the wound is almost completely healed but I just wear the bandaid for protection. 😃👍

[@lotsabirds]

@@ScoutCrafter I know how that works! I nipped the tip of a finger with an electric hedge trimmer earlier this year. I went through a ton of bandaids and gauze. Anyway...im still sorry you're dealing with it.

[@johnkelley9877]

Excellent work on the screwdrivers! From junk to jewels. I never thought of using the nail to clean out the paint but I will try that out soon. Thanks for sharing this and the flag looks great.

[@parlenkow]

My friend very good video!!! Winter come early this year i live in florida here is summer all the time

[@ScoutCrafter]

What a great state!!!!!!!

[@marcschwenn7432]

Hope you find a place, good luck in these times though……. I have to know if your an Eagle Scout , your love and passion of scouting shows. Oh yea, Semper Fi !! Same here 03 , like you, but I also was a 8541 in addition ( back in 1985) . Thanks for the inspirations and sharing the knowledge .

[@ScoutCrafter]

Hi Marc- I never made it to eagle, I entered Scouting a little bit older and by the time I started making progress I ran out of time and turned 18. I was Life. After my youth time in Scouting I spent 20 years as a leader. I still miss the meetings but the school closed and the Troop disbanded after being started in 1935. We were lucky to have been involved in such a great organization. =D Semper Fi!

[@robfahey1349]

John the only issue with the dollar store scotch Brite type pads is watch getting them wet or using them wet, they begin leeching the dye or coloring into your work and if your works absorbent you know how that goes Doh lol

[@ScoutCrafter]

I see that they are substituting the pads I showed with a 5 pack of different color pads that are thin and soft not suitable for our type work. I bought 3 more packs yesterday and that was all they had. Soon they will be gone.

[@JohnSmith-vc4yg]

Good stuff!

[@lewiemcneely9143]

Snooper is getting mobile, Stanley makes some FINE stuff and the flag looks FINE with that background! Be BLESSED, John CS! Happy snowing. We were looking at if Queens was going under. Probably not. We watch 'Ryan Hall, Yall'! Good weatger prognosticator!

[@ScoutCrafter]

Lewie- People forget how good Stanley was in the tool circle because now everything that says Stanley comes from China but back in the day Stanley was top of the line. 😃👍

[@lewiemcneely9143]

@@ScoutCrafter DEAD RIGHT, Buddy!

[@LittleRestorers]

Beautiful finish on the metal parts. 👌

[@frankparda2154]

Your right the Stanley 100 series screwdrivers (Hand fit gives one confidence that it will do the task) was a high water mark for that New Britain CT Tool and hardware company. Great tip on the dollar store cleaning pads as you said the 3 M scotch Brite pads are pricey. Have you ever used the scotch Brite white pads which are used for ultra fine polishing?

[@ScoutCrafter]

I never tried many of the name brand products because they are often cost prohibitive for a home owner. Some products are worth the extra cost but I need a recommendation before I try them on my own. -=D

[@denniswhite166]

If you're flying 100% cotton flags, to shorten the "break in" period try ironing them before using them. You can iron the nylon flags but use a lower heat setting on your iron.

[@ScoutCrafter]

I think these are a polyester blend. They are inexpensive and hold up very well but they just fly so nice. Unfortunately my embroidered flags just hang there. 😃👍

[@denniswhite166]

@@ScoutCrafter You can still iron out the creases, just use a low heat. I can see the fold marks on your new flag in the video. A quick ironing job would remove them and the flag will flow in the wind that much better. I hope this helps.

[@namleets57]

At least your not foaming at mouth

[@ScoutCrafter]

Only when there is Pizza around! 🤤

[@alexstools]

Screwdrivers are fun to mess with. I've got a few that are pretty high on the list of stuff I want to do. Both are trashers! I'll try and do a little video. Just a lot going on, so time really flies. I'm lucky my girlfriend has bought me real economical heater so I can be out in the shed. Thank for the tip with the razor blade one the acetate, I never thought of that. Hope you'll have great weekend. (I'd love to see you fly that gigantic flag you bought a while back)

[@ScoutCrafter]

Yes! That flag is HUGE! 😂👍🇺🇸

[@markrandall1456]

Glad you maintain the flag and fly it. Many folks (the Patina Boys?) have a tattered flag out like it’s cool. I’m not a fan of that. Does the clear or the fiber wheel restore the shine on the plastic handle? My dad gave me a set of Craftsman screwdrivers with gold color shanks and black on the handle where you would normally see the blue. They have a little checkered flag on them. Anyway, they have 50 years of wear,paint, and nicks on them. I am considering a clean up. Thanks for the fun.

[@ScoutCrafter]

You really can't use any wheel on the acrylic handles as it will melt the plastic. I usually use my foam backed sanding pads WET and go thru the grits until it is very smooth then instead of polishing for the final step I spray one coat of clear enamel and it comes out great. Lasts a long time too! =D Thanks!

[@dougsoderberg]

Have you heard from Tom Gunn? I really liked his videos! Haven’t seen anything from him in a couple of months.

[@ScoutCrafter]

Doug-We are all wondering the same thing! 😃👍

[@marcschwenn7432]

Have you ever shown your personal collection of the tools you have kept over the years of all these tools that you have redone and done over????

[@ScoutCrafter]

Hi Marc- I haven’t, I put many in storage upstairs because I want to move but finding the perfect home is extremely hard. 😃👍

[@larrynelson734]

Hi John. Another great video. Love the info on the scotch brite pads. The screw drivers look great. Hope you don't get to much SNOW..also trying to work in a cold shop sucks. Florescent lights don't work very well when it's cold. Have a great weekend everyone. 👍👍❤...

[@stevenburton]

Those screwdrivers turned out great and I’m glad to see snoopy is back! Was that a mini bike back by your furnace??

[@ScoutCrafter]

There are two bicycles near the furnace, one is a British Rod bicycle and the other a 100th anniversary Schwinn Green Phantom. 😃👍

[@Traderjoe]

Is it ever worth putting the plastic Stanley one on the milling machine to mill new grooves in the plastic handle?

[@ScoutCrafter]

I think I could refurb it to look like new but it would literally take 8 hours to do. Too long for my attention span on this one. 😂👍

[@Traderjoe]

@@ScoutCrafter I wonder if it could be cool to completely change the shape of the grooves on the handle based on the bit in a mill. Kind of like a router making a shape in wood

[@sebglayburg5163]

Hey, John, beautiful shot of the new flag. You mentioned square screwdrivers are stronger than round. If they're tempered to the same specs and same general thickness, why would square be stronger?

[@ScoutCrafter]

Seb- It’s a funny thing, I don’t think it’s just the fact that the square profile has less tendency to twist and torque than the round profile does but you can feel it when you’re using a square shank screwdriver you can feel the actual rigidity over around shank screwdriver even of the same thickness and size. 😃👍

[@rawbacon]

Well if it's say 3/8 round shank and 3/8 square shank.....There's a lot more metal in square stock.....As an example draw a 4 inch square on a piece of paper then put a 4 inch circle inside of it and look at all the extra material on each corner.

[@skippbitman]

How about a video on vintage urinals? Also, what is your go to watch, Timex?

[@MrGunPilot]

Flag is beautiful

[@saigaking]

Fantastic video scout the screwdrivers came up great love those old ones I was sorry to see the idiots up to their underhanded tricks again at least We have the house let the fun begin god bless take care stay safe 🙏👍🦅🇺🇸🗽🇳🇿

[@jeffreyyeater1780]

All American flags are stunning .

[@billmccabe9601]

Speaking of brand new ones...Went to Menards, Lowes and local ACE. Nobody had a hammer sized wedge set for sale. Menards had no clue, the two hardware stockers didn't even realize a set was taped to replacement handles. Lowes sold Maul sized set...in the garden center, which ACE also sold. $1.99 at Lowes and $6.99 at ACE... WOW! it really struck me why the wedge sets in smaller sizes are becoming rarer than hen's teeth. Both Menards and Lowes were selling their Christmas Tools, and at both stores a Masterforce or Kobalt 16 Oz claw was $5.99...brand shiny new! ...and we all know Harbor Freight offers them for even less. Have hammers now become a new disposable tool at the 16oz size?

[@ScoutCrafter]

It’s funny the inexpensive hammers aren’t bad but their attachment process to the handle is often weak. Ok for driving nails but not pulling them. 😃👍

[@tonysheerness2427]

Cold shops, energy is now expensive, electricity in the UK is 35 pence a unit and you would need a 3 killowatt heater just to take the chill of the air over £1 an hour and these pounds add up. Paraffin space heaters the fumes get to you. I hope the shots are not to unpleasant are they still the large syringes?

[@ScoutCrafter]

Same here!!! The sad part is it doesn’t have to be that way….

[@stevenwitt4028]

Great video 👍I liked the info. on the wire wheels. I think 🤔 I will try the Brass coated steel wire wheels. That nail scraper tool , what a outstanding 💡 idea!! I also thought that the Brillo scouring pads would have done a better job then the China 🇨🇳 version...What the ...😳😱😂.Those screwdrivers 🪛🪛you restored turned out fantastic!! Did you have to wait long before you could spray the clear paint? I heard some people sprayed clear over paint 🎨 and it wrinkled 🤯. Well I didn’t see you foaming at the mouth 🤤in your video, so I guess the shots💉 are working. I knew you were ok when I didn’t see one ☝️ ounce of patina on those screwdrivers 🪛🪛you restored 😂😂. (Sorry Patina Boys) The new 🇺🇸flag looks fantastic on the flagpole , and what a great ending of the video with the flag waving in the air,what a wonderful thing to see!!👍Well again great video and you have a great weekend and watch out for them critters 🦝.😄👍👍

[@ScoutCrafter]

I was hoping the Brillo pads would do better also. =D $1.25 for 4 pads is a real steal! =D

[@zippy1981dotnet]

Great restoration. I I've been really into BLO and paste waxed based finishes for restorating wooden tools lately, but I like the look of the black paint. It's unfortunate that while Taiwan makes some decent inexpensive wooden handle square screwdrivers, even with square drive, the wood has lots of imperfections. The vintage USA stuff though is all straight grain wood and feels really nice in the hand

[@ScoutCrafter]

It's true! Lots of Asian tools use that punky wood that isn't very attractive but it is somewhat durable. Many times they also use a really cheap stain that just looks bad... =D