ArcStyles
Well-known member
My name is Arcstyles and I have tool problem.
I have always tried to buy the best. Learned very early when my dad's, "I don't do much around the house tools" were all my brothers and I had to work with. Didn't know better until we saw the better grade of tools the neighbor kids were using. Though Snap-on and Mac were recognized throughout the neighborhood, it would be Craftsman and Proto that would dominate their fathers tool boxes, with Proto rooted firmly on the throne.
Dad was a Machinist, so all of the best tools were safe at his job. Snap on, Starrett, Proto, and Mac were the names bandied about in the beer bragging conversations with his brothers and friends.
It would be nearly a decade later before I would have to address the equipment needs that would begin my career in construction and right out of the gate I failed miserably! I went into Fox hardware in the city and went right to the discounts bins. I think it took less than a week before I had my *** handed to me by my cheap Asian tools. Back then Asian tools were hand milled out of high grade tempered manure and then spray chromed to seal in the smell. The tool quality was so bad it shaped my idea of tool purchasing for the rest of my life.
As a result, I buy the best. I am always going to buy the best, because middle ground is still to close to the severe beating I sustained when I stepped into that hardware store 30 years ago. The best was clearly displayed on the walls, but the devilishly clever wire baskets in the middle of the isles offered lesser for less. I knew better, I had plenty of examples and experience to not cloud my judgement, but I still cheapo'd out. Now I am cursed to spend more than I probably need too.
You see, I know that there are fine quality tools that are re-brands of some of the well known names, but I can't help myself from buying the Snap on's, Hazet's, Knipex's, and Nepros's representatives. Not because I don't think Armstrong, Williams, Bahco and many of the others are lesser. On the contrary, I can't rap my head around entertaining the alternative. I am envious of the practical mind. You don't suffer the slings and arrows of the insanely obsessed. You don't have to spend hours, days, and weeks on sales, percentage discounts and Ebay to chip away at the higher priced brand named items. Or maybe you do? You recognize what is essential to the need and don't have to spend more to get it.
Don't get me wrong, there is a great deal for the overly obsessed to cheer about. We know that the tools we buy will never be below professional grade. We're also aware that these are the tools that set the standards for all the rest. There is a great feeling of reassurance at this level of quality. A no look back policy that leaves no doubt, with an abstractly distorted feeling of security. What ever the differences, it is not enough that these tools have to fit our hands, they have to also fit our minds. We are shaped by our fathers, mentors and experiences. These ideas shape our opinions of ourselves and of each other. In the end the only person that matters is the person who holds your "tool" when you piss.
In the end, it's mind over matter. If you don't mind, it don't matter!
No animals were harmed during the structuring of this post.
I have always tried to buy the best. Learned very early when my dad's, "I don't do much around the house tools" were all my brothers and I had to work with. Didn't know better until we saw the better grade of tools the neighbor kids were using. Though Snap-on and Mac were recognized throughout the neighborhood, it would be Craftsman and Proto that would dominate their fathers tool boxes, with Proto rooted firmly on the throne.
Dad was a Machinist, so all of the best tools were safe at his job. Snap on, Starrett, Proto, and Mac were the names bandied about in the beer bragging conversations with his brothers and friends.
It would be nearly a decade later before I would have to address the equipment needs that would begin my career in construction and right out of the gate I failed miserably! I went into Fox hardware in the city and went right to the discounts bins. I think it took less than a week before I had my *** handed to me by my cheap Asian tools. Back then Asian tools were hand milled out of high grade tempered manure and then spray chromed to seal in the smell. The tool quality was so bad it shaped my idea of tool purchasing for the rest of my life.
As a result, I buy the best. I am always going to buy the best, because middle ground is still to close to the severe beating I sustained when I stepped into that hardware store 30 years ago. The best was clearly displayed on the walls, but the devilishly clever wire baskets in the middle of the isles offered lesser for less. I knew better, I had plenty of examples and experience to not cloud my judgement, but I still cheapo'd out. Now I am cursed to spend more than I probably need too.
You see, I know that there are fine quality tools that are re-brands of some of the well known names, but I can't help myself from buying the Snap on's, Hazet's, Knipex's, and Nepros's representatives. Not because I don't think Armstrong, Williams, Bahco and many of the others are lesser. On the contrary, I can't rap my head around entertaining the alternative. I am envious of the practical mind. You don't suffer the slings and arrows of the insanely obsessed. You don't have to spend hours, days, and weeks on sales, percentage discounts and Ebay to chip away at the higher priced brand named items. Or maybe you do? You recognize what is essential to the need and don't have to spend more to get it.
Don't get me wrong, there is a great deal for the overly obsessed to cheer about. We know that the tools we buy will never be below professional grade. We're also aware that these are the tools that set the standards for all the rest. There is a great feeling of reassurance at this level of quality. A no look back policy that leaves no doubt, with an abstractly distorted feeling of security. What ever the differences, it is not enough that these tools have to fit our hands, they have to also fit our minds. We are shaped by our fathers, mentors and experiences. These ideas shape our opinions of ourselves and of each other. In the end the only person that matters is the person who holds your "tool" when you piss.
In the end, it's mind over matter. If you don't mind, it don't matter!
No animals were harmed during the structuring of this post.
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I see we are on the same level. I have the same problem. I cant except nothing but the best. Mostly snap-on. Or better.
