Tools Rare and Ingenious
by Sandor Nagyszalancy

Review by Mark Gezella – July 2005

Once again I'm excited to inform you about a new entry to our library.  Another tool book adds to the shelves with what I hope will be an enthusiastic welcome.  This new book is truly a celebration of some of the rarest and most inventive implements ever crafted.  I tip my hat to Mr. Nagyszalancy and Taunton for publishing such a marvelous product.

You may recall my earlier write up on "Mr. N's" first book in the July 2003 newsletter, the Art of Fine Tools.  It was about five years old at that time, and was so successful it prompted him to follow up with another.  While the original focused on rare, vintage tools held mostly by affluent collectors, this second incarnation branches off to focus on unique, single-purpose creations.  In my first write up, I tried to emphasize the exceptional tools featured and how the book was a tribute to those who elevate the craft to a level where art-meets-precision -meets-beauty.  Well, I think this latest book augments his first attempt, especially since the entire tome is based upon elaborate, artistic, and unique masterpieces.

Tools Rare and Ingenious contains chapter upon chapter of downright wonderful subject material.  The descriptions are informative, subjects incredible, and pictures exquisite.  It's too bad I can't just plug his Introduction into our newsletter and be done with it, because there's not much more I can say without waxing redundant.  Being highly qualified, Mr. Nagyszalancy provides an erudite narrative on his book that I doubt I can parallel, but I'll give it a shot.  And don't panic - rather than ramble incessantly about each chapter (though all twelve merit some sort of discourse in my opinion), I decided to focus on my favorites, lest I bore you with endless minutia about every single entry.  Fair enough?!

Tools of Many Trades presents an assortment of tools used in various fields of work.  It opens with a sampling of rather crude items (crude being a relative term based on the high standards set in the book); coopering tools such as the howell and croze, adze, barrel calipers, and others items relegated to past occupations.  It then progresses to more sophisticated tools you might expect to find; planes, chisels, various cutting tools, etc.  It ends with some exquisitely precise devices such as patternmaker's, luthiers, and watchmakers tools, and even a fine drafting set.  You can imagine how accurate these must be for use in such exacting work.  Though tools described here don't necessarily command special attention, I chose this chapter an example of how the book sometimes speaks beyond it's subject, in that it offers information about occupations/trades, historical perspectives, and artistry as employment as well as craft.

Presentation and Exhibition Tools left me in awe, as it presents incredible examples of functional fine art.  This segment illustrates tools that were offered to honor individual accomplishments, or used as advertising to drum up business.  And it's interesting to note this genre often show wear marks - proof they were put to use by recipients or potential buyers bent on "kicking the tires" prior to purchase.  Chapter examples are abundant;

• a Kew Bridge level of sterling silver, created for the original dedication of it's namesake over the river Thames
• an elaborately carved ship-christening mallet made of "planewood" (ever hear of that?)
• a full-sized replica of a Mosley plow plane made from pre-ban ivory and silver, covered in scrimshaw (displayed at the Paris exhibition in 1855)
• a stunning set of Holtzapffel ivory and polished steel turning chisels for ornamental turning (perhaps you're familiar with their ornamental lathes?), displayed in 1851 and again in 1862 in London.
• a patriotic plow-plane with elaborately incised scrimshaw that honors accomplishments such as Mount Rushmore, the Wright Brothers first flight, the Transcontinental Railroad, and the Apollo spacecraft (a perfect fit for a July newsletter, eh?!)

The most imaginative chapter (and my personal favorite) is Magnificent Miniatures.  I can look this one over again and again.  It presents an astounding array of items, and every one of them authentic to the last detail.  All are complete with tiny parts crafted to exacting scale.  Some of these simply could not materialize without the availability of 21st technology, most notably CNC routers and milling machines (he states the most miniscule parts could not have been cut without them).  The chapter covers just about everything conceivable; whalebone and boxwood planes, saws, and chisels.  Jeweler-made violin planes, tiny silver and bone hammers, screwdrivers, and on and on.  One item just tickles me - an entire miniature tool chest filled with tiny tools no larger than a pocketful of coins!  A close-up of its contents was used for the cover photo.  The last tool featured in the chapter is an ornate Victorian velocipede (pedal-powered scroll saw) which is simple mesmerizing.

As Sandor stated in the final words of his Introduction, he has assembled a veritable museum in print.  It evokes feelings of wonderment and awe, and serves as an inspiration to the craft.  We are very fortunate to live during this time of technology that enables us to enjoy the many digital photographs contained within these pages.  And there are over 375 of them in full color!!  You practically get firsthand sensory experiences of shape and texture just by looking at them.

This book reveres those with the ability to produce such magnificent works of art.  This is the second book I've described by this author, and we have a third book on dust control as well.  All of his books are first-rate.  I was thrilled to see his first Tools book added to our library, and I'm elated about this newest entry.  I hope these bring you an equal amount of pleasure.  After all - that's a big part of what our collection is all about.  This book is currently available for check-out in the Guild library.