EXQUISITE TOOLS = BEAUTIFUL WORK

Beautiful tools make for beautiful work. Today, we are exploring a collection of gorgeous tools, recently created, to start you on your way to creating your own masterpieces.

The oldest pen maker in Italy, Montegrappa, known for its achingly beautiful, richly styled pens, has a new one designed to celebrate the writer’s brain. The Brain Pen is an intricately sculpted work of art, conceived in collaboration with Dr. Richard Restak, Clinical Professor of Neurology at George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences.

The motif is an elaborate array of neurons, with the spring-loaded pocket clip representing the spinal cord. Its nib is etched with the image of a sea-horse, referring to the similarly shaped hippocampus, where short-term memory transitions to long-term memory.

Photo: Courtesy of Montegrappa

Since the human brain is estimated to contain neurons numbering 10 raised to the 12th power, a limited edition of 1012 sterling silver fountain pens are offered. And since a single synaptic vesicle releases about 900 neurotransmitter molecules, 900 silver roller ball pens are on offer. 50 solid 18K gold fountain pens, represents the diameter of a synaptic vesicle, measured at 50 nanometers. And 12 solid 18K gold fountain pens with diamonds, glorifies the 12 cranial nerves.

Finally, 6 solid 18K gold roller balls with diamonds, are available, representing the brain’s 6 cortical layers

If you purchase one of these masterpieces, you’ll also receive a copy of a book written especially for Montegrappa by Dr. Restak.

Photo: Courtesy of Blackburn Tools 10” Dovetail Saw in Walnut Burl

The handmade Dovetail Saw, by Blackburn tools, is made to order, and though you might not get yours in 2013, with the current three to four month waiting period, this beautiful tool is worth the wait. Everything, from the blade to the handle, is completely customizable. This one features a 10” 1095 spring steel blade and a walnut burl handle.

Photo: Courtesy of Base Camp X

The unorthodox Kraken axe, recently created by Graeme Cameron’s Base Camp X, features a sculpted head, modeled after a kraken figurine. It a part of Base Camp X’s Titanis collection. These axes are handmade in New Zealand from high carbon tooling steel and hickory wood. Each axe is individually tempered and hardened to ensure perfection. They are specifically designed to fell trees and buck logs.

Photo: Courtesy of Heinz Tools. Foo Dog Hammer

We found this incredible collection of artisan tools, crafted by John Heinz, of Heinz Tools. He creates a range of elaborate chisels, planes, levels, and hammers, made from exotic woods, and handcarved metals. This Foo Dog Bronze Hammer sports a cocobolo wood handle.

 

Photo: Courtesy of Guo Cheng. Chewing Drill

London based artist and designer Guo Cheng created a series of tools that are machines specifically designed to be operated by mouth. The “Mouth Factory” collection includes a chewing drill, teeth lathe, tongue extruder, blowing rotomolding machine, and vacuum form machine.

This conceptual series explores the reciprocal relationship between our bodies and the tools we use. They celebrate human enhancement by extending our capabilities and versatilities. While intended as works of art, these pieces offer ideas about how physically challenged people might extend their reach, beyond the use of their hands.
 

Photo: Courtesy of PBSwiss Tools

A bit more basic, but a beautiful way to outfit your toolbox, this wrench set by Swiss Tools, reminds you to get out of  your workshop and go find a rainbow.

Check out stories about Beautiful Work all this week on BeautifulNow, including New Spaces for Beautiful Work, The Beautiful Impact of Work, Beautiful Wild Work, Working It: Beautiful Lunches, and more in our Place/Time, and Mind/Body genres.

Get busy and enter the BN Competitions, Our theme this week is Work. Send in your images and ideas, for beauty in work.