Why do we all love Atwod tools SOOOO much?

jimh0220

jimh0220

Joined
Apr 15, 2008
Messages
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I found more Atwood tools on a custom knife page, and I, as usual, had to drool over them. Then it occurred to me: these are primarily limited use, with a few exceptions, gadgets. So why so many, including me, fans of them. I would buy every one to carry a different one each day (if I could).

Did Pete Atwood just figure that his tools appeal to us the way shiny jewelry does to women, or is there something else?
 
I'm not really a fan, either. I've never bought one or felt the need. I'm sure they're cool, but they seem overpriced to me, and I honestly have never felt a lack from not having one.
 
I don't like them... I like my LT Squirt at 1/3 the price and 4x the usefulness.
 
First three replies all hate them...... Sorry Pete, I thought we all loved you. I still like your stuff!
 
Yeah, I'm not a huge fan either. I've got a Gerber Artifact that has served me well and I think it was ten dollars.
 
Atwood tools are mostly a gimmick if you ask me. If I needed a mini-prybar, the cheapo CountryComm offering is what I'd buy.
 
I have a prybaby on my key chain. I mainly use the bottle opener, but sometimes it is nice to have the pry option to keep from breaking the tip on my EDC.

That is the only Atwood tool I have. I think they are a little pricey for what you get. The only reason I have a prybaby is because I got it in a trade a few years back.

John
 
I have a Mini BrewDriver around my neck right now. There are thousands of cheaper beer openers available that would do the job but not one that I would be proud to wear. It's a lot like my knives and other gear; I could get cheaper but I got what I wanted, because I could.
 
I like the style, quality, and thought put into Atwood's creations, but yeah, the price.

I bought a JDR knife and tool Makemake. It's titanium 6A4V. I wear it as a bottleopener/necklace sometimes. It's much cheaper than the Atwood stuff, and machined with detail.
http://www.jdrknifeandtool.com/
 
I like his stuff and impressed with the legion of followers he has attained but $400 for a whistle I saw recently just reinforces the price issue with me

Of course the guy seems to sell out in days every time he finishes a batch of any of his tools. He can make what he wants, when he wants, how many he wants and never seemes to have leftover stock sitting on the shelf.

Sounds like he works hard and has a good gig going. More power to him but I don't see myself jumping in any time soon.

Bob
 
It's sorta like the difference between a Sebenza and a sub $50 knife, both cut, but it's probably with pride that you cut with the Sebenza, and only cutting with the other.
 
Sorry jimh0220, but in my opinion, Atwood aims for folks with more money than sense, and he seems to be a pretty good shot. I just don't happen to fall into that catagory. Gadgets are cool, but Enderes makes a keychain prybar that works great and sells for $2.89 at our local farm and ranch store. That makes a lot more sense to me, at least since I actually use it instead of carrying it around to look at.
 
cutter17 said:
It's sorta like the difference between a Sebenza and a sub $50 knife, both cut, but it's probably with pride that you cut with the Sebenza, and only cutting with the other.
Click to expand...

I dunno. I was looking at some of Atwood's stuff and saving up to buy one. I ended up buying a Gerber Shard to hold me over.

To be honest, I've had the Shard on my keychain for a month, and all I've used it for is to open bottles of beer. The previous device I had on my keychain was a dedicated bottle opener, and even worked better for opening bottles. The only other time I've tried to use it was to pry out a staple, which I probably could have done with my fingers.

It has disabused me of any desire to get an Atwood. The utility, for me, just simply isn't there.

On the other hand, I do EDC a Sebenza or an Umnumzaan (left-handed versions!) all the time.
 
I give Atwood credit for what he does, but I need none of his little tools (and I don't mean that as an insult; they are little). Growing up and spending a lot of my years in the north-woods around Duluth, Minnesota, I just find his tools an extravagance. They LOOK cool, but are completely unnecessary. Anyone can duplicate their uses with way less cash and minimal weight and space.

Bottom line:
Artistically cool:thumbup:.
Need-to-have: Not even remotely:rolleyes:.

Just my opinion. I could be wrong???
 
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Too much money I think. Not only that, but you have to check his website all the time to get anything. I did like the idea of the prybar with the Strider spanner tool though. Could use one of them. But a $400 whistle? Maybe if I were a ref in the NFL or something.
 
I'm a huge fan of the Peter's work, and have had several of his tools. I even remember when you were able to buy a Prybaby without worrying about them selling out so fast. Nowadays, that's unheard of. It's a well made, HAND MADE tool, made with premium steels. That's why they are so pricey. Plus, I'll second the comment made earlier: they are almost like man-jewelry. Ask your wife or girlfriend which would they rather have: Cubic-Zirconia earrings or Diamond. Sure, they both shine and go in the ears, but there's a quality difference. Sure, a $4 pocket prybar/opener will get the job done, bet there's no zazzle in that.
 
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