Like some of the guys I run with, Iโm finding more women who love toolsโbut itโs a rare treat when you find one that will enjoy talking about them as well. Itโs extremely offensive, therefore, when a manufacturer thinks that heโs figured out โwhat women wantโ and makes a tool that condescends to their view of what a woman tool-user should supposedly use.
How NOT to Get Women to Love Tools
Case in pointโseveral years ago I was shownย a toolset by a manufacturerย who gettingย ready to deploy it to multiple national retailers across the country. Itย consisted of a hammer, pliers, needlenose pliers, screwdriver set, and tapeย measure. The set was designed to fit into a standard kitchen drawer and beย perfect for the novice homeowner.
It was aย decent home starter set as far as the tools went. Nothing special, but it gaveย you everything youโd need to perform rudimentary household tasks like hangingย pictures and assembling furniture. The tools, however, did have one fatal flawโฆ
They were all covered in aย flower pattern. I kid you not.
Women Who Love ToolsโReal Tools
Maybeย youโve seen this setโhopefully in the bargain bin, closeout sale, or the local flea market. To me, this wasย demeaning to women. What, they can only have tools if they are all flowery andย pretty? I donโt think so. Women who love tools donโt want flower patternsโthough they may actually like pink (but only if the tool bearing the color works as well as one thatโs not pink).
Look at my wife, for example. Sheโs been known to doย her share of tile work, painting, and other household projects as well. Recently, sheย hung curtains in our bedroom with what was, at the time, my best cordless drill. OK, itย was slightlyย overkill, but I think it makes her sexier.
Editorโs Note: Davidโs wife is NOT pictured above. Thatโs Ashleyโone of our reviewers. Her husband already won the โmy wife loves toolsโ lottery.
Liking vs Loving Tools
Women donโt typically loveย (live?) to use tools like some of the guys I run with, but itโs a rare treatย when you find women who love toolsย that will productively use them toย accomplish various tasks.
That, my friends, is marriageย material.
I know a couple where theย husband and wife spent about 5 years restoring old homes and renting them out.ย They would do all the work together. Weโre talking refinishing floors,ย renovating bathrooms, repairing walls, fixing doors & windows, and dressingย up the landscapes. It was a match made in heaven, and it was great to see twoย people so intricately involved in actual work. And yes, there were plenty ofย tools being used by that gal.
Start Slow, and Enjoy the Journey
If your wife is like this,ย rejoiceโyouโre in the minority. For the rest of youโwhatโs to be done? Howย can you get your wife to share your love of tools? There may be nothing you canย do, but you never know.
Still, itโs worth a shot.
So how do you get your wifeย interested? Well, the next time she asks for a screwdriver, hand her a cordlessย drill. You may have to work her up from an 8V Max screwdriver to a 12V Ridgid cordless drill or her choice ofย 18V cordless impact drivers, butย it will be worth it. Heck, though loud, most impact drivers are surprisingly agile and even fun to use.
After some familiarity withย certain tools that are easy to use and make household jobs easier, who knows,ย she just might like it.
That would be a great start.
