Background and Identification

Various species have learned to use specialized tools. None have mastered the art quite as well as humans, though, who have entire stores, books, and websites dedicated to them.

Starting with sticks and sharpened stones, humans used tools to carve meat, crush grain, and cut wood. Anthropologists have found evidence of stone tools used by humans at least 2.5 million years ago. Many modern power tools use metal and electricity, but accomplish the same tasks: cutting materials into shape, attaching objects together, and creating heat and fire.

Common issues with tools that use electricity can include a bad power cable that needs to be replaced or a battery that doesn’t hold a charge. Some tools also use belts that snap or wear down over time or metal pieces that rust (try using vinegar or WD-40 as shown in [guide|34354|this guide]). Any blade will eventually become dull, but you can replace or sharpen the blades on many tools.

If you want your tools to last, try to buy ones with modular parts such as replaceable screwdriver bits or removable blades. Exposed screws are your friends when you want to disassemble a tool. Check if the manufacturer sells replacements if the tool requires a unique part.

Additional Information

Tool on Wikipedia

History of hand tools on Encyclopedia Britannica

Methods to remove rust on WikiHow