No darlin don't use the Man's tools we got your own

[jackfaire]

http://www.tomboytools.com/index.asp

Okay uhm seriously? None of my female friends has ever been like, "oh I really want to work on that project i have lined up but I don't have a pink hammer so I can't do it."

What's funny is there would be a shit fit if a line of tools came out "specifically" for a man. Yes I know the advertising usually shows men. At no point though does anyone say, in the ads, "These are tools for a man"

This company apparently felt that normal tools weren't good enough and women needed their own line of tools because that is why they weren't using them they weren't pretty enough?

This kind of thing is usually wrapped in pseudo feminism too. "We are empowering women" Uhm no your implying women need different tools than men which implies they can't handle a "man's" tools.

Anyway that is my take on it.

[Boozy]

It's not that the tools are pink, it's that they sell them at these parties meant for women. Like a Mary Kay party only with tools.

I think it's an excellent idea for breaking into a new market. Instead of learning yet another way of applying eye shadow, the party-goers learn simply home improvement projects and are sold little gadgets that are helpful around the house. Some women already own a set of tool and know how to use them, but for those who don't, this kind of thing might be fun.

And why NOT pink? Why must everything look so bland all the time?

[Cassandra]

Since the first time I saw a "lady's" tool kit, I've been offended. They created these things to try to get the wussy women to learn to use a hammer. The hammers that are in these kits are very light in weight and therefore don't get the job done well enough. You end up using more physical strength to swing that hammer and get the nail in the wall than if you did it with a full sized, non-pink hammer. Gahh...It just pisses me off that because I am female it is perceived that I can't handle the same tools as a man and I can't do it on my own without the help of some girly whimpy product! Grrr.

[RecoveringKinkoid]

If someone tried to give me a pink hammer, I'd be tempted to hit them with it.

Put me in the camp that does not appreciate the "aw, isnt that cute, a woman who wants to play with tools" implication.

Although my dad gave my husband a little "essentials" tool kit when we were first married. Hammer, pliers, tape measure, etc. Husband is not a handyman and had no tools of his own (at the time) and we'd just moved into a new house. Tool kit was baby blue. Old man's bad eyesight and general lack of reading skills prevented him from seeing the raised letters on the blue plastic case than said "do it herself." Hilarity ensued.

We still have that kit. Although I would rather use my own hammer, which is bigger and heavier and thus easier to use.

Most of the power tools in the shop are mine. I've taught husband how to use most of them.

[Dreamstalker]

I've seen "ladies tool kits"; they're usually designed with pink or some godugly floral pattern. Ugh.

One of the eager not-knowing-what-she's-getting-into freshman girls in scene design brought her own toolkit like that--quickly discovered it was less than useless for any real work. At one point she was trying to get me to use her tools by saying "that hammer's ugly and heavy" -_- (at which point I hefted the sledgehammer; seeing me knock a hole in a flat shut her up handily ).

[lordlundar]

The only ones there I like are the "pink for a purpose" stuff. The rest is simply pink to be fashionable.

Sorry, if a woman wants to drive a nail in (most likely into the head of the one designing these tools) the colour of the hammer is going to mean diddly. If they're that concerned with the colour of it, then odds are they aren't going to do any real work anyway.

[Mr Slugger]

Sorry, if a woman wants to drive a nail in the colour of the hammer is going to mean diddly.

Unless you're working in a dark area and then one in florescent colors are much better. Although I've been known to lose them too.

See I'm ok for with pink for a purpose stuff myself, but yes girl's tools are just a bad idea. I mean take the drill they got. Do you really think that thing could actually drill anything? Like running cable to basement, needing to drill through the floor & subfloor? Hell no. So what's the point.

And actually a point to bring up these types of tool sets are the same that you find at walmart as the "great gift idea for dad" for like $15. And honestly I'd be offended if I was given one of those as a guy

[Kimmik]

See I fail at so many "girl" things.. I am more like Tim the toolman Taylor... more power.... *insert laugh* My ex bought me a foo foo tool set once... then when I started fixing everything cause the dumb ass was shit when it came to mechanical.. he was like you're not a "normal" girl... I like my tools to be functional... it is like I hate "pretty" cooking stuff... I want functional sturdy I can do damage with this type stuff... I think that is why I love Wilton baking gear... very durable.

Screw a foo foo house I want a Woman cave... *grrs* Now if I can talk my husband into letting build a portable forge... mmmmmmm forge..

[protege]

See I'm ok for with pink for a purpose stuff myself, but yes girl's tools are just a bad idea. I mean take the drill they got. Do you really think that thing could actually drill anything? Like running cable to basement, needing to drill through the floor & subfloor? Hell no. So what's the point.

I agree with you, G. This stuff looks like the stuff you'd find in the 'clearance' section of Wal-Mart. Notice too that most of the tools don't have any logos or brand names on them...which confirms that they *are* cheap shit. Grandpa always said that "you don't buy cheap oil, you don't buy cheap tools." Good advice

I too don't think that drill would be able to do much. Of course since it's aimed at women, it's no wonder it doesn't have any "balls." Sorry folks, I just *had* to go there! Seriously though, I was always told that a cordless drill should have at least 12 volts to play with. Otherwise, some jobs will take much longer than they really should. Of course, a 1/2-inch Black & Decker drill makes short work of anything

While we're at it, I don't see what the big deal is over color. Tools are designed to be functional, not pretty. That's why they are the colors they are. So the screwdrivers and hammers have pink handles. Big deal. Judging by some of the jobs I use my tools for...they won't stay like that very long.

[tabbyblack13]

I can understand if a woman never learned how to use tools to get a set of these so they are less intimidating. My dad taught me how to use power tools when I was a kid. I remember using his circular saw to make a bird house.

When I first moved away my mom bought me a no name brand of tools from a magazine. They were ok for living in a dorm. In the real world they sucked and I think I only have a few pieces left. My dad was smart when I moved into my first home he bought me a set of Ryobi power tools with instructions not to cut my fingers off.

[crashhelmet]

I've worked with a female police officer here in Vegas that runs her own side business for apparel and equipment designed for female officers. I can't remember her web site off the top of my head, but I've got her business cards at home. Anyway, one of the things she offers is various handcuffs ranging from hot pink to leopard print. Las Vegas Metro has authorized the use of these and they're being bought up fast enough that she has trouble keeping stock sometimes.

She said that some of the female officers like to bring their perps in to lockup wearing the cuffs. While it could be demeaning, it helps break them down even more.

CH

[fireheart17]

Lol at the leopard print cuffs. Wonder if it's a 2-in-1 cuff as well? (in and out the bedroom )

As for the power tools, I used the normal tools no problem in high school. I might've used a slightly smaller hammer than my classmates, but it wasn't an issue.

[Mr Slugger]

She said that some of the female officers like to bring their perps in to lockup wearing the cuffs. While it could be demeaning, it helps break them down even more.

But see I'm sure that the cuffs while done up are the exact same thing as regular handcuffs. That's where the difference is. If they were of a lesser quality than standard issue then I'm sure that the police department wouldn't allow them.

[crashhelmet]

But see I'm sure that the cuffs while done up are the exact same thing as regular handcuffs. That's where the difference is. If they were of a lesser quality than standard issue then I'm sure that the police department wouldn't allow them.

They're made exactly like regulation cuffs, from the same materials and manufacturers. They're just powder painted in fluorescent colors and animal prints.

CH

[MystyGlyttyr]

Not commenting on the quality of the tools...if the tools are shit then the tools are shit, and they shouldn't be passed off to anyone.

So far as the pink...my parents got me a pink tool kit for Christmas last year and I absolutely adore it. It does everything that my dad's "man" tool kit does and he frequently borrows my stuff these days because I keep my stuff in better condition than he does. I can do the same damage with my pink hammer that I can do with the plain old wooden handled hammer, I just more like me doing it and I like that.

It seems like there's some weirdness about girls who want to do their masculine activities with a little bit of girliness to it. I got razzed by the other girls at the Toughman competition for taking a few minutes to put on makeup before going into the ring to get beaten up. Why? What difference does it make if I want to look nice while me and another chick are knocking each other's brains out? It had no affect on my performance, was sweatproof and everything, and I still kicked serious ass. And when it was over, I was the only one who didn't look like ripped pigshit. It's like you have to be Butchy McManlygirl or Princess Pretty Fluffs-A-Lot, no middle ground.