When children are small and hammering for the first time, they grip the handle of a normal hammer close to the head. With practice in its use, children's hands will move to the end of the handle, giving them greater leverage and power. A long handle also brings the hammer face square to the head of the nail, thereby helping to avoid bent nails.
So I'm somewhat amazed to see so many hammers for sale that are just like this. Have we surrendered to our being inept?
The handle is evidence of an extension of human intelligence, just as it is evidence of an increase in human power, control and reach. A heavy hammer with a short handle is actually much more difficult to use and use well, and actually places the joints in the hand and elbow at greater risk.
There are so many hammers like this being sold. Is it because so many people have become inexperienced in a hammer's use and are unfamiliar with the effectiveness of a normal one?
I'm planning for a new school year at the Clear Spring School, applying finish to boxes and I've been writing my new book.
Make, fix, create, and assist others in learning lifewise.
I think Chris Schwarz used to refer to this sort of thing as a ‘tool-shaped object.’ Like a photocopy of a photocopy, a design that originated with someone who didn’t use tools. These days, so much is being optimized for shipping dimensions, I wouldn’t be surprised if that was a factor, too.
ReplyDeleteAnd, hey, it’s cordless, too!
Oy.