I am curious what you think.

What makes a tool, a tool? AND what are the three MOST USED tools in your shop?

Please start with the most useful tool, and why.

I would start, but that might taint some answers.
I'll wait a week or so to see what everyone thinks.

Think hard and be honest.
This could be fun. :)

There are two way to look at this question:

First, my forge is used for forging, heat treating and tempering.
Second, my grinder for profiling and grinding bevels, shaping handles.
Third, sandpaper, sandpaper, sandpaper for getting it correct.




However, all of these are worthless with out three other tools that you have to develop for working on knives:
Your mind
Your eyes
Your hands

That was good Bob.
What about the first question, though?
What makes a tool, a tool?
That answer alone could help you decide which answer is correct for you.

Care to expand any? :)

To me a tool is something that can help you perform a task you could either not do otherwise or can do faster with a tool.

The forge is a tool because it does something that I cannot do. It gets stuff real hot. Without the heat I could not make a knife. Therfore, the forge is a tool necessary to make a knife.

The grinder is a tool because it helps me perform tasks at a more rapid pace. I could do this job with files or sandpaper but it would take a lot longer. Therefore, a grinder is a tool of efficiency.

The sandpaper is a tool because it removes metal. I could probably remove metal by scraping the steel on a rock but I would still be working on my FIRST knife and it would not be real smooth and scratch free.


On the other hand,

Your mind is a tool because it gives you the ability to think and make decisions. Without it we would be walking around the woods looking for bugs and plants to eat. We would not be able to use this tool to figure out how to make other tools.

Your eyes are tools because without them it would be VERY DANGEROUS to try to make a knife.

Your hands are tools because without them, you could not operate any of the tools like forges grinders or sandpaper.


AND, your minds eye allows you to create at random, without limits, anything you want. You can create tools to assist in your knifemaking or create that perfect knife that you can strive to make.

Hope you like this because I have a limited amount of tools and I think I just sprained my brain.





Your mind
Your eyes
Your hands

A tool is any "thing" that helps you to perform a task. It can be your mind, your hand, a book or video, a stick, or anything else that assists in implementing an objective.

A hand tool is something manipulated by hand: file, hammer, knife, and so on. There are also power hand tools like electric screwdrivers and angle grinders.

A machine tool is usually a stationary cutting tool driven by power (hydraulic, electric, pneumatic, etc.). This would include drill presses and lathes.

Jigs and fixtures are tools that are added to other tools to perform an even narrower range of tasks.

I remember reading that a legendary philosopher claimed that every tool created by man is just an extension of his body in some way.

IE: Pliers, tongs, vise etc are extensions of the hands and fingers.

Telescopes, microscopes, glasses etc. are bigger eyes.

Saws, knives, files, milling machines, grinders and so on are the extreme extension of the fingernails.

Cars, trucks, trains, planes etc are bigger faster feet.

Hammers are bigger fists and so on.

So I would say a tool is anything that allow you to do work that your body could do on a smaller scale.

Most used tools at my place are,
Forge/anvil
belt grinder
Files/sandpaper

Jim

Correct on every account.
Bob,
Thanks, Man. You went deep, alright.

A tool is an impliment or device that aids in a particular job.

I think we all agree there.
Our body is a WONDERFUL tool, I agree.

What is it that makes our bodies do these things?
Would that also be a tool?

what make a tool for me...? What ever I put in the hand to do a job for me...it could be as simple as a small brasstubing cut in an angel. Great for removing halfcured epoxy in filework.

My best tools are my big vise...it is about 50 pounds and very steady. I found it in a doumbster.

Wow!, Jens,
What a find. :)
I'll also have to try that brass tubing thing you were talking about.

Jim,
I agree that a tool is an extension of your person.
Most tools go beyond what the body could do by itself.
Yet NO tool can work, all on it's own, either.
That means that a tool is a fabrication of the mind that allows the body to exceed it's own limitations.

Now we are getting some where!

Your imagination, abilities, and creativity are in the mind as Bob stated.
It takes your body to work the tool.
The tool does the actual work.

The drive, the passion, the motivation is what makes it all happen.
You can have all of the tools and know how in the world, but if you do not have the motivation, it ain't gonna hap'n!

I think it was Zig Zigler that said, "One man with a passion, will accomplish more than a thousand with an interest."

Gene: Ya that vise was some find...It is very hick quality...it only had some rust on it that was easy to clean of...tough job getting it home...had to stuff it in my backpack and ride my bike home with it for a few kilometers....

The brass tubing was inserted in a filehandle extending about 2"......I grinded it in a angle like a chisel and buffed it...works good!

One of the old ladies from the church asked me to help her clean up her yard.(jungle)
In the middle,burried, was a metal table with two large USA made vises.
She asked me to haul off that old table her husband used to use.He had passed away 11 years ago.No one had even seen that table in 11 years, because of the over growth.
It cleaned up just fine and has been in service ever since.
One 6" Wilton vise and a folding pipe vise.
Another God-send.

We have disscussed tangible and intangible tools.
I am blessed to have a nice shop full of special tools(after 20 years of collecting), but I would say that my most used tools are the intangible ones., ie, imagination, education, motivation, skill, ect...

Most people think it is the lack of tangible tools that prevent them from making knives.
This is true in part, of course.
How many would actually finish a knife if offered a full shop of tools?How long would it take them on thier own?

To make a long story shorter,
CKD is providing the MOST essential tools for knifemaking today.-----We combine the intangibles of many different makers and share info of our tangible tools as well.

We share info, tips, technology, techniques, and a smorgasborg of ideas.

You will find everything you need right here, except the motivation to actually do it.

On a private note:
I consider it a priviledge to be a part of the efforts at CKD, and am honored to have this TOOL TIME forum.
It is not limited to the tangible tools though.
So if anyone wants to open this up-LET'S GO!

My all time favorite tool is my knife vise. It is in use most of the time.. carl

Gene,

I second all of that. I feel very fortunate to have older more experienced makers volunteer their hard-won knowledge and experience. Whatever I am able to achieve as a maker will be thanks to many things and most certainly to all of this generosity.

I also picked up a nice machinist's vise from the local salvage yard today for $5.

John