Your favorite hand tool? Your favorite people may never have used/heard of?

V

vanderpooch

Member
Joined
May 7, 2007
Messages
52
I have a hard time narrowing it down to one favorite...

I have to say my block planes are essential to the way I work. I use one every day. I really can't run trim without one. Well, I can but I really don't like to.

I frequently use a shoulder plane, which I've found out here in CA most guys haven't seen, if they have even seen a block plane!

Per already posted my other favorite, Collin's Bunny Planes.

I also will occasionally bust out my various home-made radius bottomed planes.

On the cheap-and-easy front, if you're not using one of the Spring Tools nailsets... Dude!

I'm sure I'll think of more, but let's hear about yours!

- Kit
 
As a greenhorn, I really don't have anything yet to be a favorite hand tool , except for maybe.... my hand  :).

Justin
 
I cant start my day until I have the A. Richard 9 in 1 tool in my back pocket.
I assure you it has more than 9 uses

It Scrapes, wedges, pries, chisels, spreads, cuts..... I could go on and on

Mirko
 
Actually, as I'm restoring some double hung windows right now, my favorite tool is the Estwing MP250 10" moulding puller -- pretty handy --gets under small window parting beads without tearing the crap out of them.  Not very sexy but I like it.  Oh and the Bessey tradesman clamps.

Justin
 
Mirko said:
I cant start my day until I have the A. Richard 9 in 1 tool in my back pocket.
I assure you it has more than 9 uses

It Scrapes, wedges, pries, chisels, spreads, cuts..... I could go on and on

Mirko
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tip Mirko. This looks like quite an improvement over the old styles. I especially like the addition of the screw/nail puller. It makes removing those drywall screws that missed the stud a lot easier. The sharpened cove profile on the side is interesting. Have you used it for anything?
 
Red (number 2) Robertson (square drive) screw driver!  Now if I could just get the rest of the world to convert their screws to square drive too - and I'd be laughing.  There are just far too many flat-drive and phillips (star-drive) screws out there.  It seems that only Canadian, and a smidgeon of US and European companies have caught on to this marvel of engineering.

Imagine a non-magnetic screwdriver that can hold the screw for you?!  Just imagine!

 
Cannuck said:
Red (number 2) Robertson (square drive) screw driver!  Now if I could just get the rest of the world to convert their screws to square drive too - and I'd be laughing.  There are just far too many flat-drive and phillips (star-drive) screws out there.  It seems that only Canadian, and a smidgeon of US and European companies have caught on to this marvel of engineering.

Imagine a non-magnetic screwdriver that can hold the screw for you?!  Just imagine!
Click to expand...

What's your rush? It's only been around a hundred years. It'll catch on before tooooo long.

 
This tool isn't a favorite like a fine block plane but it's the one that's in my pocket the most. And, since searching for a link and only finding it on a Japanese site it has just become more valuable to me.

23.jpg


The first time I bought one was about 20 years ago at Pearl Paint (art and craft supplies) in NYC.
I haven't seen one for sale anywhere in the States in more than a decade.

The second one I bought at Tokyu Hands crafts emporium in you know where. Actually, although I can't find a link to the store itself, Toku Hands is a chain of stores in Japan specializing in anything made by hand.
Some comments about Tokyu Hands stores.
If you know Pearl Paint think of a Japanese improved version multiplied by ten, maybe twenty.

As you can see by photo the tool has two blades that can slide nearly all the way out. Both are housed in a strong aluminum extrusion. One is the standard large size of snap point blade. The other is a fine pull saw blade. The saw blade is better quality than the ones I've seen in plastic handles and this combination is very handy.
 
per's offering, is like my right hand

western or chinese copys of the japanese originals are TOTALLY USELESS
 
Michael Kellough said:
Not to prevent DD form answering, but,

they're usually useless because the thin end of both ends is not thin enough.
Click to expand...

The Estwing I have is a copy --- and even though I like it and don't think it is totally useless -- the end is not as thin as I think it should be.  Damn,  I should of looked around before buying. 

Justin
 
my use of the tool may be different to those of you guys in north america a lot of the work involves levering and jacking

but i ALSO have to deal with a lot of brickwork (houses here are not built mainly of wood)

most is brick with high strength mortar or render ( sometimes 1 cement / 3 sand )

a japanese tool will break 1/3 mortar BUT a "copy" will be usless in two seconds flat
 
ignoring my (additional uk) requirements

micheal k is totally correct regarding copies

the blades are too thick, the metal is too soft, the angle is wrong, the metal is too soft

even the finish isnt right on cheap copies

on cheap copies the "paint" chips off.................. on real items the finish wears off

 
Jaeger,

There is only one that you can get in the US

thats the one.

The rest,  comparatively are useless.

Funny thing about bars, i think I have owned them all from 6 footers to little tiny ones

I have a pick up truck box full of useless ones.

They all look good, nice and shiny on the shelf...till you use it in actuality.

Then all day long you are thinking to yourself...what were they thinking?

Did the guy who drew this on paper ever use a bar in his life?

Yep to rest his elbows on.

Per

PS

Maybe japan woodworker...but well......
 
By crickey, you blokes are going to be having me up photographing my kit.

Howz that DD? When I come over on vacation think I'll pass?

per
 
I'll agree with Kit on the block plane.  it lives in the front hammer loop on my nail bags.  Behind it would be a rabbet block plane and a modern version of a #95 edge plane for cleaning up saw marks.  I also love the folding Silky Japanese saw which i use frequently with a small Nobex magnetic miter guide.  I could go on which is why my tool bag is so heavy.

Justin
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

ear3
Hand plane 101
3 4 5
Replies
93
Views
34K
grbmds
G
Vanquish
Hand tools, where have you been all my life?
2
Replies
33
Views
17K
Bohdan
B
C
Oak Bed
Replies
4
Views
5K
Chems
C
Back
Top