BJ, Thanks! Yea they take some work, but I enjoy the process. If I have nothing to do, I can shave down a shaft, semi-straighten, and spine it in a half hour. I can do a few per evening, and they seem to hold up to abuse a little better than anything else I have.
Today..... I finished up a 3 day project evolving digging a deep 4ft hole, getting super muddy, all to fix a leaky water main.... Man I hope I never have to do that again.