I've gotten a good appreciation for the way old tools were constructed. On older shovels for example, the handles were steamed and forced into a shovel head such that the handle curved with the shovel head. Notice how the wood grain curves with the shovel head, similar to forging a piece of metal. This adds extra cost, however, which is why you don't see this feature on cheaper shovels. They are very difficult to remove and would never come out during use.

Here, you can see a bent handle removed from the shovel head.

I've also found one shovel brand that tried to accomplish this "bent handle" design with a 2 piece handle, probably to reduce cost. As you can see, the handle cracked on it's way into the shovel head. Again, I suspect some cost reduction and not steaming the wood properly.

Some shovels have a handle with a u-shaped piece at the end for holding. The handle is often split the long way at the end such that one half rides up into the left side of the u-shape and the other half rides up into the right side. My guess is that the wooden handle would be steamed to make it pliable, such that it would conform to the u-shape when it was inserted. After the wooden handle dries, it can't come out. Who would have thought there was so much that went into making a shovel.

Then there's the subject of the handle material. I've noticed the older hickory handles are tougher then newer handles, and they take a lot more work to remove. I suspect the wood used for newer handles is produced from trees that have been made to grow quickly, creating a less dense grain pattern.

I use a sickle for the bird's beak. The sickle blades were made from one piece that was forged down at one end to attach to the handle. On newer garden hoes, for example, the blade can be welded onto another feature that allows the handle to be attached. This ends up being a weak spot (narrow and poorly welded) that will easily break.

After experiencing all this, I sometimes hesitate to cut apart the "good old" tools, and have actually switched several of my personal gardening tools with good quality old ones I picked up specifically for making birds.