Seeing a yuppie neighbor tackle another home project was always amusing. You could tell by the shiny new brand-name tools in the driveway. Always the he-man approved brands, at that. All for a 15-minute or half-hour job.
What a contrast to the beat-up weapons used by the professionals I knew! Or even the more skilled neighbors.
Pay attention and you can find a lot of good stuff at yard sales, including aluminum ladders and fold-down sawhorses.
But sometimes, it just pays to pay more for quality. My favorite garden spade demonstrates this perfectly. Purchased at a local greenhouse-and-nursery, the metal from the tines extends up and around the shaft, rather than being jammed into its end. There’s no separation while forking, unlike the cheaper models, the ones we still have but rarely use. No, those are just too frustrating. I’m sticking with my better designed favorite.
Jnana's Red Barn 
Ha! Yes, I’ve noticed that “magic words” sometimes come out when I’m using inferior tools. The incantations probably don’t help, although they do help remind me to be on the lookout for better tools.
In fact, using poorly made tools has taught me how to spot better tools. So, maybe I should be grateful for using cheap tools? Maybe.
Vincent Paz
“Magic words,” eh? Now that’s a fine spin!
As is the insight of gratitude for the lessons provided by inferior tools.
I prefer a much smaller fork when I’m eating potato salad. However, these bigger forks are okay when I’m eating potatoes whole…