All of us have certain tools that just work right. Every time we pick them up, they feel like nothing else. Some even have other positive associations.
My top 5 are as shown in the photo below. From left to right they are:
1) My main leather knife. When I worked for Charlie Miller in his saddle shop, I copied the knife he made many years prior. I wore it all the time in the shop. It is made from an old power hacksaw blade with shoe sole material from the local boot repair shop for grips. It not only does more than any other knife I've had but it reminds me of Charlie, who taught me how to really work leather and inspired me to make my own tools.
2) A 4 oz mallet I made for tooling leather. It's made from a 3" piece of 1-1/2" round UHMW. A full 90% of my stamping is done with this little gem.
3) A #3 edge beader, one of the very first tools I bought when I first started tooling leather, a few years before I even started working in the saddle shop. I use this on most cowboy leather items I make.
4) My 7/16" Hackbarth swivel knife. I have other swivel knives, several with bearings like this, but this one is the smoothest and easiest to use. It just feels 'right'.
5) The latest of my favorites. After years of going without finding a good knife for skiving, this one fills the bill. It is made from an old circular saw blade I had. It can shave off the slightest bit of leather precisely and easily.
So what are your favorites?