One of the blessings of growing up in a family business that specializes in quality tools is getting used to being surrounded by tools that function exceptionally well. Of course, this also can be a curse, as it can lead one to be a bit of a tool snob, and to frustration when things aren’t made well. For example, trying to find quality push pins or safety pins are some of my current challenges.
This appreciation of quality tools just keeps getting passed down through the generations. As I was shopping for school supplies for the boys last year I spent a fair amount of time researching pencils with quality lead, and scissors that looked like they would function well. I didn’t think about these supplies again until one morning at the end of the school year. I was sitting down to breakfast with the boys and I was kind of floored when they both thanked me for buying them good quality scissors. Then they started telling stories of kids in their classes getting frustrated with their scissors, how they would try to cut paper for a project and the paper would rip instead of cutting. Then Andrew (who is 8 years old) gets this twinkle in his eye and says “Yeah, Mama, I can just snip the edge of the paper and my scissors cut a straight line all the way to the end. It’s AWESOME!”
Since even kids can appreciate good quality tools, at Clarington Forge they make real garden tools for kids. Not toys that look like tools, but a real solid forged spade and fork. But, be warned, these tools could lead to a lifetime love of quality tools, and perhaps a bit of tool snobbery.
Andrew in the garden with one of his Clarington tools.
