I suppose it all started when my ageing grandfather gave up smoking his pipe and I commandeered his pipe-cleaning penknife. Blunted by use, it served me well! I was only 6 years old, a bit older than Henry, pictured left. My next tool was a standard-issue Boy Scout’s pocket knife. It had two blades, a corkscrew, a bottle opener/screwdriver and a marlinspike. I can still feel it in my hand now. I s
pent my early childhood watching and ‘helping’ my father build our house. He had handsaws, chisels, a hammer, a Stanley #5 bench plane, an electric drill! and, not much else. I’ve still got his saws and #5 bench plane, sharpened & restored, they work a treat, although the plane now sports an A2 replacement blade (which changed its life). In Beune, France, I discovered Laguiole knives and cutlery. Beautiful products with a long history and tradition, I had to have one. It is sitting on my desk now, seductive olive wood handle, shiny, weighty and sharp. Back in Australia in the late 90s, behind me the life of living in a small London flat and parking the car in the street, I had the opportunity to establish a workshop again. I restarted woodworking and researched tools and equipment. My 'tool life' changed in 1999 when I purchased a Lie-Nielsen low angle block plane. I couldn’t believe the quality, planing ability and beautiful looks. It was in manganese bronze with an A2 steel blade. I treasured it and acquired more Lie-Nielsen tools, their performance restored my faith in hand tools. A very young Henry is using that exact block plane in the picture above. In January 2017 we sold the majority of our brand dealerships. Our aim now is to develop Made in Adelaide products. It has taken some digging to discover them, but we have some highly talented individuals and companies up to the task of making world-class tools and accessories in Adelaide. Henry Eckert Toolworks is all about only offering the tools and merchandise that meets our strict criteria of quality, style and technology to our customers. We hope you enjoy our selection. David Eckert
Adelaide, South Australia
