Musing on the Aesthetics of Tools.

[shoggoth80]

So, I'll preface this with: I am not a tool polisher. Lol.
But, I do know that some brands tend to be prettier than others. This flies in the face of pure functionality, which is what matters most in a tool.

Still... the chrome. The CHROME! Lol. I know that they rebrand a bunch of stuff, but I really like the look of MAC's offerings. I don't own any of them... but they sure look good. The knurling on their sockets seems just so, and I like the simple, and short logo. Their rotohead, while it doesn't have the length, and therefore leverage of the Snappy roto (my favorite of the bunch), it is still 100 tooth, and has a comfort handle. I might keep my eyes out for a used one of these. Just because. Rotos look funny, but it's a clean presentation.

Of the tools that I do own, my Bahco ratchet is the most aesthetically pleasing. Simple black and orange handle, low profile with no logo on the head, clean logo stamped into the beam.

Gearwrench does their sockets very nicely too. Clean chrome, nice stamped logos, and very clean, but useful knurling on the bases of the sockets.

I tend to take a end user approach to tools. Can it get the job done? Am I gonna break my hand on it? Can I make some money with this? Was this a waste of my resources? Occasionally, it's ok to appreciate the artistry in design and presentation, isn't it?

Who do you guys like in terms of design, or looks? Is it an aesthetic appreciation, or a functional appreciation? Is it both? Are there any tools in your arsenal that you purchased simply because you liked the look?
I know, I'm weird. I like stirring up discussion about odd aspects of tool ownership/use.

 

[larry_g]

I'm very much in the "Form follows function" camp. Though I do appreciate a good form..

lg
no neat sig line

 

[RXtacy]

I feel that the KTC Nepros ratches are some of the best looking out there.

The handle is one of the most comfortable I've experienced. That being said I prefer the ratcheting mechanism in the Snap-On dual 80.

 

[Dave455]

Functionality comes first! After that, form! But there's no reason why you can't have both, and if you spend many hours a day working with something there's every reason why you should!

Unfortunately, all too many modern tools can't even manage the functionality, let alone the rest!

Yes, MAC (proper MAC, not the numerous rebrands) has lovely chrome, and it's nice to work with!

For most folks, Snap On is probably the ultimate in both functionslity and form, but there are others such as Nepros that are not far behind!

I feel, however, that we were better served in years gone by. I occasionally use my Fathers Kismet foot pump. Beautifully cast, with care in every detail of design. Top quality materials, which even when worn look good, and awesome finish. Now I know that any shop has a compressor now, so there is little demand for a pro foot pump, but I doubt you can get anything of that quality now!

I would love one of those gorgeous Blackhawk jacks that you see from time to time on this site. Blackhawk were another (top end) company that managed to make tools with both form and function, but I don't think there is anything modern that can compete!

 

[shoggoth80]

I've got a few Blackhawk wrenches at work. Matte chrome, slightly wider beams. Good looking wrenches that feel pretty good in the hand. Wish I had more of those.

 

[purplezr2]

Tools are like woman

Some look good and are worthless
Some F___ great and are ugly
Some are both and are expensive as hell

 

[shoggoth80]

Lolololol!

 

[hamma]

I've always liked the look of the Williams ratchets, they have a clean, tough look. I'm not a fan of the new MAC fine tooth ratchets though, they look blocky.

 

[ChevyEFI]

Round heads look right and pear heads look wrong to me, and always have.

Channellock blue is hideous. Don't even talk to me about their code red. I hope they at least get kickbacks, or happy endings from the daughters of the owner of the dye vendor. I like a tool handle with red and black; it's just a good look in my book.

The ergonomics of many of the Facom pliers is so much better than others; no need for chrome on those IMO.

The decades old taper Snap-On ratchet handle never appealed to me. The look of the chrome taper handle just seems odd. It's functional, but petite. The soft handle is better by far to me.

A round cushion grip screwdriver (over clear acetate(?) handle) is a classic look I find "just right."

I like the Ko-Ken round head like on the 3752N ratchet. That handle appeals to me as well, since I grew up with SK ratchets. But that round head selector has a downright wonderful firmness to the selector action.
http://www.levelchrome.com/assets/images/koken/koken3752n.jpg

The design change from the Dual 80 to the Dual 80A ratchets is horrible and should have been handled differently (well, other than going round head.)
http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm209/jlarsson80/Tools/DSC_0010-1.jpg

 

[mjoekingz28]

Oops.

 

[rice rocket]

That KTC Nepros looks nice, but my fingers don't form a tube when I curl them over. As for form following ergonomics/comfort, the Beta ratchets are hard to beat. Not my favorite ratcheting action, but boy are they comfortable. The Italians really pay attention to ergonomics and design more than anyone.

 

[shoggoth80]

Good chrome and comfort handles, man. Love that ****.
I wasn't a believer at first. I thought that old school knurling was the way to go. Until I tried one. My sort of mentor had the Snappy long handled roto (I want to say his was a 72T). He let me use it on a job that my other ratchets didn't have the leverage for. Between the extra oomph of the longer handle, and the versatility of the rotating head. Done. Got the 100T version, and it is smoooooth. It's not as clean looking as say, one of Mac's ratchets... but it's nice in its own right.

I do like the look of the Beta tools. I like strong contrasts, so bright greens and black, oranges and black etc. My Snappies have red/black... but the truck didn't have the green handles. May still change them one of these days.

I never really meant to be a tool junkie. It just sorta happened. I had gotten some sets (inexpensive ones) as gifts looooong time ago. Never thought of them as anything more than a way to fix things. I use tools daily. They make me money. Good tools make life easier. Bad tools make life miserable. A well made, thoughtfully finished, and ergonomically designed tool is a work of art.