July Blog Carnival!

Mood Ring: Chartreuse

Studio Noise: Quiet Riot: Bang Your Head (Metal Health)

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Because we've all been crazy-busy, this month's Blog Carnival post must hit earlier than our usual third Friday, so, here we are today, and the question is: 

What is Your Favorite Manual Tool?

Well, that's like asking me to pick my favorite truffle out of a box of Vosges Les Fleurs collellection of truffles!

No. Fair.

Tho' the Siam Citron one can make your eyes roll back in your head--think shark here, ok? (It contains jasmine tea + lemongrass + fresh coconut + white chocolate + organic marigold petal).

It is really hard to pick ONE favorite manual tool.

I could claim my triangle scraper because lawd knows I hate burrs on my metal as I'm working--and more importantly, I dislike burrs in my cute little cushie fingertips--metal splinters can drive you to want to saw a whole finger off. As such, my scraper is like an extension of my hand--it's always there, and its use comes so naturally. I don't even think before using it, I just scrape. Oh, yeah--and there's nothing like an ugly, messy solder joint because one didn't take time to remove the burrs.

Then, I could say that my calipers are my favorite tool--the ability to measure accurately is important in this craft. And, of course, it satisfies my tendency toward OCD. ::smile:: There's nothing like going to a thousandth of a millimeter for accuracy.

And, there's nothing like my tiny little brass-bristled brush (that I now have attached right next to my bench pin via a camera lens cap cord). It's immediately on-hand for cleaning metal out of the grooves of my files. I also have one at my soldering station for a once-over of any joints that need a quick cleaning before soldering.

But, of all of my tools, I would have to say that any of my hammers is my favorite manual tool.

Touch my hammers and you will lose a hand...

Sorry, but that's as good as it gets--I can't narrow it down to one specific hammer. It's just not going to happen.

Touch my hammers and you will lose a hand... Oh, but I think I said that already.

You can do so much with a sheet of metal and a hammer. --Things you just couldn't do with other tools. And, mastering the hammer is key to becoming a master of metalsmithing. Again, we know my goal in life is to become a Master Craftsman, so this is important to me. I've mentioned here before that my favorite quote is:

"Work always from the heart. Love the hammer, let every blow gently knead the metal... listen to the metal and do not make it cry. Love the metal and it will love you back."

-Hirotoshi Itoh

With my hammers, I can make metal sing. --Of course, that joyful sound is muted by earplugs, but I still love it.

And I love it when I think my metal is loving me back.

I've just acquired the Fretz collection of hammers with Rosewood handles, so I'm really geeked! The grip is so natural, so comfortable, and so...sensual! Thank you Mr. Fretz--you are The Man! These things are awesome! [By the way, I'm selling some of my other forming hammers, so if you're interested, shoot me an email.]

There you have it. Make no mistake about it, read my lips, etc.--though I love them all, my favorite manual tool is my hammers. [I'm aware of the grammatical inconsistency here, but it is necessary.]

Touch my hammers and you will lose a hand... Oh, but I think I said that already.

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As usual, you can check out the responses of the other members of our carnival on their blogs.

Lorrene Davis

Marco Fleseri

Lora Hart

Elaine Luther

Chris Parry

Kirsten Skiles

and moi! Tamra Gentry

Comments

[Tamra]

Elaine: What's your favorite? Have you tried Mo's Bacon Bar??? YUM!

Angela: The truffles are SO indecent! --Nothing in the world like hammers. --Fretz hammers--love them more... ;-)

[Elaine]

Oooo, I love Vosges too!

[Angela]

Oh, those truffles sound indecent !
Yay ! Hammers ! Me too ! Thanks for the Fretz link !
o:-)
Angela