I’m happy to report that a whole bunch of hand tool makers are showing up at the Studio at the end of this week to show off their wares. It’s not fair of course that they’re doing this. We are such suckers for a pretty looking tool. It doesn’t matter if we don’t need it. As I say to many of my classes as I begin, “Hello, my name is Gary, I’m a tool junkie.”

What is it about tools? What makes them so enthralling? Is it a kind of magic they possess? Why do we feel this sense of power, or is it potential, when we have a tool in hand? Tools are unlike any other object we touch. Yes food may give us a sense of promise or a glimmer of yummy-ness to come but tools! A tool is there to be admired for its function, the beauty the maker conferred about it, its stolid serenity, its pure dead on purpose like no other.

This purposefulness is important. A hammer isn’t a saw, never will be. The same can be said for the saw. It’s really no good as a hammer, unless in a moment of frustration you’ve tried to turn it into one. A chisel is not much good as a screwdriver, however brilliant it may be as a paint can opener.

You remember the saying that when the only tool you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.

Well what about when you have a hundred tools? Then how do things appear? For us woodworkers, when the only sickness you have is tools, then every tool looks like the one you gotta have. It’s lust pure and simple. Sometimes difficult to observe, but a feature in the woodshop.

I do urge you to exhibit some control but please do come by to visit us this week on Friday February 19th and 20^th for the Lie-Nielsen Hand Tool Event. There will many makers there showing off exquisite tools for use and admiration. We will provide towels for those of you who tend to drool a bit.