love the exploration of disused things, and words. my favourite tool is an awl. my dad keeps it in the toolbox with a cork over its spike. i don't think it’s ever been used for its true purpose (threading leather), but it’s amazing how often a way to poke a small hole through something is needed and how often i reach for it
I stumbled across this article while checking out Substack Authors. I was never expecting to find a story about a place I was at just a couple of months ago with my Grandson, Parker. A place right here in Cherokee Co., GA. The Funk Heritage is on the grounds of Reinhardt University, where I went to school 45 years ago. This is a beautiful collection. One that stirs so many memories. I feel for my grandchildren. They will most likely never know what it's like to hoe in a garden, or chop a tree down, or for that matter, split kindling. Thank you for this story. And the memories.
I just returned from an Alaska vacation, and one of the things that impressed me as I wandered through the museums of Alaska was the array of tools made and used by the indigenous peoples. A handmade tool for everything, from sewing clothes to fishing and hunting and the everyday tasks of cooking and storing food. Not only that, but many of them were embellished with design and art, attesting to the human need for beauty, even in severe climates and living conditions.
Nice job ,but you missed the king of the trades, the blacksmith. The blacksmith makes the tools for the other trades. You listed farrier but farriers shoe horses and usually make their own shoes , that doesn’t make them a blacksmith. Thank you for your good work!
My father turned up a stone hoe blade with the plow on his tractor. An archaeologist friend identified it as Mississippian; a Native farmer used it some 800 to 1600 years ago. It's made of Mill Creek chert, quarried in what is now southern Illinois - with hand tools. It is a marvel to ponder.
I love hand tools! Thank you SO much for this! I could become lost in the hand tools exhibit for days. Hand tools have a life of their own. As a former farrier, I have (and still do to a smaller extent) build many horse shoes by hand, as well as shape premade shoes by hand, using my forge, anvil, hammer and tongs. There is a deep, deep connection in this work to the Earth and creativity, and the self. Hard to explain. Just seeing all the hand tools makes my own hands tingle and want to touch them. But, one must take care with the hand tools of others. The tools must be approached with respect and one must ask for permission to hold the hand tools of another. Hand tools represent a tradition that stretches back into the past, which is fast disappearing. However, there are pockets of people who carry the tradition on and it spreads slowly through those who care.
All of my tools I use for building horse shoes are loved, but I have to say my rounding hammer (the one for building horse shoes) is at the top of the list. We have been together for over 20 years and fit one another like hand and glove.
Those photos! What incredibly cool exhibits. It reminds of living in Vienna, Austria, 25 years ago, and the semi-rural wine bars on the outskirts of the city called "heuriger". There were some that displayed collections of corkscrews on a wall. Incredible (and often very raunchy) collection of imaginations.
I noticed bookbinders, but didn't see letterpress typesetters and printers included. Handmade papermking is also a craft that goes with book binding and fine press editions.
I have my paternal grandparents’ scythe. Two blades: grass hook and brush hook. As a young boy, in the fall, we’d always oil the steel parts and wipe the wood with linseed oil. Regular, not boiled. The curvature of the wood and re-positionable handles seemed magical!
love the exploration of disused things, and words. my favourite tool is an awl. my dad keeps it in the toolbox with a cork over its spike. i don't think it’s ever been used for its true purpose (threading leather), but it’s amazing how often a way to poke a small hole through something is needed and how often i reach for it
I stumbled across this article while checking out Substack Authors. I was never expecting to find a story about a place I was at just a couple of months ago with my Grandson, Parker. A place right here in Cherokee Co., GA. The Funk Heritage is on the grounds of Reinhardt University, where I went to school 45 years ago. This is a beautiful collection. One that stirs so many memories. I feel for my grandchildren. They will most likely never know what it's like to hoe in a garden, or chop a tree down, or for that matter, split kindling. Thank you for this story. And the memories.
J,
Tools on display are dead. Show me the hoe you keep by the back door.
Jerry Smith
What a wonderful exhibit!!
I just returned from an Alaska vacation, and one of the things that impressed me as I wandered through the museums of Alaska was the array of tools made and used by the indigenous peoples. A handmade tool for everything, from sewing clothes to fishing and hunting and the everyday tasks of cooking and storing food. Not only that, but many of them were embellished with design and art, attesting to the human need for beauty, even in severe climates and living conditions.
Nice job ,but you missed the king of the trades, the blacksmith. The blacksmith makes the tools for the other trades. You listed farrier but farriers shoe horses and usually make their own shoes , that doesn’t make them a blacksmith. Thank you for your good work!
My father turned up a stone hoe blade with the plow on his tractor. An archaeologist friend identified it as Mississippian; a Native farmer used it some 800 to 1600 years ago. It's made of Mill Creek chert, quarried in what is now southern Illinois - with hand tools. It is a marvel to ponder.
Hand tools are so elemental. I loved reading about them; thank you so much for this.
To your list I would like to add, milliner and seamstress.
I love hand tools! Thank you SO much for this! I could become lost in the hand tools exhibit for days. Hand tools have a life of their own. As a former farrier, I have (and still do to a smaller extent) build many horse shoes by hand, as well as shape premade shoes by hand, using my forge, anvil, hammer and tongs. There is a deep, deep connection in this work to the Earth and creativity, and the self. Hard to explain. Just seeing all the hand tools makes my own hands tingle and want to touch them. But, one must take care with the hand tools of others. The tools must be approached with respect and one must ask for permission to hold the hand tools of another. Hand tools represent a tradition that stretches back into the past, which is fast disappearing. However, there are pockets of people who carry the tradition on and it spreads slowly through those who care.
All of my tools I use for building horse shoes are loved, but I have to say my rounding hammer (the one for building horse shoes) is at the top of the list. We have been together for over 20 years and fit one another like hand and glove.
Those photos! What incredibly cool exhibits. It reminds of living in Vienna, Austria, 25 years ago, and the semi-rural wine bars on the outskirts of the city called "heuriger". There were some that displayed collections of corkscrews on a wall. Incredible (and often very raunchy) collection of imaginations.
A beautiful book. The Hand of the Small-Town Builder by W. Tad Pfeffer
This is amazing and wonderful! Such a collection of tools! And Janisse’s insight on and articulation of the significance of tools is amazing!
Amazing! And sad, too. I love chisels and wood planes. I have a few that are antique, others just old, like me!
What an interesting exhibit and I see the influence of Eric Sloane in the displays. WOW! Favorite tool? Number 2 pencil.
I noticed bookbinders, but didn't see letterpress typesetters and printers included. Handmade papermking is also a craft that goes with book binding and fine press editions.
You are so right. I'll get those added. Thank you, Mimi.
I really want to buy a scythe to chop and drop some of the grasses on my property because I loathe weed eaters!
I have my paternal grandparents’ scythe. Two blades: grass hook and brush hook. As a young boy, in the fall, we’d always oil the steel parts and wipe the wood with linseed oil. Regular, not boiled. The curvature of the wood and re-positionable handles seemed magical!
Oh, I love that so much. I can see you using one!