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I dropped $120 on a Japanese hole punch jig and I'm still not sure it was worth it
It's a beautiful tool from a shop in Kyoto, and it makes perfect sewing holes every single time. But I've done maybe 30 books with it, and I could have just used my old ruler and awl. Some folks say the time saved is huge, others say it's a luxury for people who bind a lot. Has anyone else bought a specialized tool that split the room like this?
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green.noah5mo ago
You mentioned it's from a shop in Kyoto. That got me thinking about the story behind the tool itself. Sometimes the value isn't just in the time saved, but in feeling connected to that specific place and craft every time you pick it up. It turns the work into a small ritual, which can be worth the price for some projects.
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singh.harper2mo ago
That bit about "turns the work into a small ritual" really hits home @green.noah. I read somewhere that craftspeople in Japan sometimes say the tool is an extension of yourself if you've used it long enough. There's this book about a guy who spent decades repairing the same wooden plane, and it's like he and the tool aged together. I think about that when I'm using my own stuff, especially if it's from a specific place. It makes the half hour of work feel less like a chore and more like a practice.
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gracethomas5mo ago
Honestly if it works every time and you like using it, that's the win. Alice_allen5 has a point about joy, but for me it comes down to whether you'll grab it over the ruler next time.
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