Foundations . . .

"If one is but secure at the foundation, he will not be pained by departure from minor details or affairs that are contrary to expectation. But in the end, the details of a matter are important. The right and wrong of one's way of doing things are found in trivial matters."
                                                        - Hagakure - The Book Of The Samurai - Yamamoto Tsunetomo

The foundations of how we work are not trivial matters.

Joshua Klein at "The Workbench Diary" asked an important question on his blog the other day. "Why Do You Choose To Use Handtools?" He'll pick the answer he likes best and give the winner a very nice chisel.

I don't need to enter, I don't need the chisel. (I like the chisel, but believe someone more in need could make better use of it, I already have a few this size) Still I felt the question is important enough to address.

I make use of a hand full of power tools in the shop. I own a tablesaw, bandsaw, and drill press but they DO NOT own me. I use them but am not beholden to them for any task, (well if I'm honest I do appreciate re-sawing stock on the band saw, but I can do it by hand if necessary) I used to make many shop decisions based on the needs of machinery set up. Now I dictate the order of things and my time is more creative studio and less factory feel.

Hand tools are my emancipation. My Foundation. They connect to my right and wrong way of doing things.

Ratione et Passionis
Oldwolf