Cost of living: No not so much, Probably a bit less in Estonia compared to here, and the same as in the US for the most part.
Thats exactly the kind of message I wanted to get across. I'm sure that if anybody could afford one they where willing to buy one.
As for the haggling: They wouldn't happen to be Dutch would they? I'm used to it living here, but there is a reason they call Dutch "cheap" abroad. The real dutch oven isn't a pot like oven, but letting a fart rip under the blankets to keep you warm in stead of turning on the heat.
wanting to pay less then something has cost that person is just wrong in my opinion. And its actually the same to buy something so cheap without actually being honest about what its worth.
When I buy my axes or any other thing for that matter I always take into account what an axe in that condition is really worth. If someone wants a fiver but is worth a tenner I usually pay a tenner. That happens to me a lot these days, since all kinds of vintage tools tend to pup up in a church run second hand store a walking distance nearby. I'm not a religious man by any means, but I still know the right thing to do. Am I rich? Not by a long shot. But at least I can say I'm honest.
That's actually how the deal between me and
Agent_H
came about. Finding something the other person wants and trading that. His item is as rare here as my item is there. And thats what it's all about: Appreciating tools. If that tool happens to be €1000,--? Great! If it happens t be €1,--? Great! Because I wanted it. I have 2 axes that are appraised 10 times higher then the Neeman axes (which I still use), but if they where appraised for €1,-- I would still have them and cherrish them. I'm just happy to have found them (an knowledgable where to look), otherwise I could not afford them if I saw them for sale. But knowing what they're worth I still wouldn't sell them, unless I absolutely have to. I appreciate them way to much in every aspect. Would that be the case with a Neeman Tool? Most likely, even though I'm into historical axes.
The one thing that Neeman, Gransfors and to a little lesser degree Hoffman Blacksmithing have in common: You are not just buying an axe, but you're buying a story, a history, something to enjoy and appreciate, or even an identity really.
It's the same as with older axes, just new: The days of old tools are gone: They don't make them like they used to for the most part. But the above mentioned ones are just some of the examples of tools that represent the quality tools of today, which our grandchildren will collect some day.