When the woodworking trades were at
their height, toolmakers offered dozens of
variations of every type of tool imaginable.
There was no such thing as 'a chisel'.
There were hundreds of different styles and
patterns. The woodworkers demanded and
got exactly what they wanted.
Now that the demand for these hand tools
has shrunk, almost to vanishing point, the
manufacturers have no incentive to cater
to specialist requirements.
The range of tools is important, because,
in this type of chairmaking, one addresses
the wood in hundreds, if not thousands,
of different ways, and there will always be
one instrument whose shape, size, balance,
grip, angle, etc, will be perfect for a
particular manouvre. Also, people have
great variability in the size and shape
and strength of their hands.
'One size fits all' is no good in this pursuit.
It is like expecting to cut cake, carve meat,
and eat spaghetti, all with a tea spoon. It
can be done, but it's painfully slow and
awkward.
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