This Barbara K toolkit was designed with the goal of empowering women. So now you're thinking, "Women don't need special girly tools." But Barbara K is onto something here. The tools are slightly smaller (6 inches) and lighter (7 ounces), based on the typically smaller female frame. "The smaller sizes eliminate the extra strain in the hand and wrist muscles that most women feel while using regular tools, and therefore allow for more precision and better performance. The pliers even incorporate a 'spring assist' mechanism that requires less brute force for operation." Huh.
Now that doesn't sound girly at all.
As PT Barnum so eloquently put it, "Another sucker is born every minute".
Most tools already come in smaller sizes only not in a spiffy powder blue color, but probably for a lot cheaper.
The only person who can empower you is YOU.
Don't believe the hype.
Posted by: gold1show | March 23, 2006 at 09:43 PM
Well maybe if I wasn't so busy with my position at a Successful Advertising Agency I would have time to research which orange-handled tool is engineered for me. Personally I appreciate the informative powder-blue packaging. Now if they could just come up with some tools that will give me an idea for the TV spot I have to present Friday I'd be golden. But a soft golden, not too masculine, you know?
Posted by: Naomi Cook | March 28, 2006 at 09:43 PM
I think my point has been misconstrued. Reality is, no tools are designed for any particular gender.
The smaller tools are made for people with smaller hands ( not all men have hands the size of frying pans) and for tighter jobs where precision is key. I just found it amusing that the maker of this product has basically taken something that's a norm in almost any hardware store, thrown a different color on it, put together a basic instruction book and voila! tools made for women.
You don't need to do any research other than walk into a decent size hardware store and ask.
Besides, Makita has been making tools in a unique aqua color for decades. I'm more of the masculine black and yellow of DeWalt, but that's just me.
To me, it's the same issue as what Target has been doing for the past six or sevn years with designers coming in and doing their interpretation of kitchen utensils, plates, etc. Then charging a lot more for them. They're designed for looks not utility and usually don't last. I bought a whole set for my wife and half of them are broken or ruined within two years. It's just hype. Not quality.
Sorry, if you took my earlier comment as a condemnation of people who would buy it. It's more of a condemnation of the people who would try and sell it as though they created it specially for women.
Posted by: gold1show | March 29, 2006 at 02:47 PM