Feminist Tools
I stumbled across a company called Tomboy Tools. They aren't just selling tools for women, their "mission is to empower women. We have an internal culture that supports women in becoming confident, competent homeowners by providing the proper tools and techniques to create a more beautiful and livable space."OK, great. I thought I'd poke around a little and see how different the tools could be. The first page I clicked on featured knee pads . . .
posted by Nashville Knucklehead @ 8:23 AM
3 Comments:
Does it make me a bad feminist if I say that I find tools for women to be patronizing?
There are some modifications in tool design that might make sense, making them a better fit biomechanically and taking into account the difference between men's and women's bodies. Shorter forearms, generally less grip strength, and so forth...this site doesn't offer that kind of redesigned stuff, though.
Power tool grips are especially problematic for women, because their hand size is usually smaller and the last thing you want is your drill or your saw skittering away on you while in use. DeWalt has a line that is pretty comfortable to use (I've got small hands), and I have heard that Bosch makes a fastening driver with a smaller grip for high-torque stuff, but so far I haven't needed one of those. Most of the weed-whacker companies have clued in to the idea that women are the real users of the weed-whackers purchased by their husbands, so they make an easy-pull version so that women don't have to jerk their shoulders out of socket to start the damn things.
Hmmmmm......I think the knee-pads for the girls seems to make all the sense in the world........
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home