Am I the only one who still uses my grandmother's shears?

I got this pair of hair cutting shears from my grandmother, who did hair for years. They are pretty heavy and I have to sharpen them a lot, but they feel right in my hand in a way new ones don't. It takes me back to seeing her take her time with each cut, nothing rushed. Makes me think about how stuff we use in the salon has changed so much. Anyone else hang on to old tools like this?

4 comments

4 Comments

danielthomas1mo ago

Oh totally, it's the weight of them that does it for me. My grandpa's old hammer feels the same way, like it's already done the work before I even start. I tried one of those new lightweight ones and I nearly put it through my own thumb, which says more about me than the tool. There's something about worn handles that new stuff just can't fake.

emeryj661mo ago

Doesn't that worn handle, like @jademitchell hinted, lock the tool's balance into your muscle memory?

jademitchell1mo ago

Read somewhere that our hands actually remember the weight and balance of tools we use a lot. Like muscle memory but for objects. Makes total sense with what you're saying about your grandpa's hammer.

joelmoore1mo ago

Last week, my friend Tom tried his dad's old hammer with the smooth handle. He said the balance made every swing feel natural and sure. His new hammer just sits in the toolbox now.