The #4 Big Loop

This is the only remaining original, first generation, sand sculpture tool I have. It is unaltered from the way it was made in November of 1995, at the start of the Tool Revolution.

I'd already made the #1 Loop Tool. That went quickly and momentum seems to count for something, so I kept working on tools. The #2 Steel Finger was made the same day; I carved its handle somewhat to make it fit my hand, remembering all the carving of sticks into boats I'd done as a child. I'd follow my grandfather along Fall River as he fished. Skills come back. Then I made the bent aluminum Vertical Road Grader. When that was finished I got to thinking about a bigger loop, to cut larger spaces.

My design sensibility is strongly influenced by engineering. Doesn't do much good if it's pretty but falls apart. I knew that good kitchen knives were made with tangs that ran the full length of the handle, so I made my tools the same way; the stainless steel that forms the curved blade of this tool runs all the way to the end of the wooden handle. I simply drilled holes through the steel and clamped it between the carved wooden handle halves with long wood screws.

It was my first tool made with a fully shaped handle. The fact that I still use it indicates good design, although by current standards it has one big problem. The widest part of the handle on this tool is horizontal, rather than vertical as it is with current designs. I made a modern replacement for this tool, intending to retire it, but the replacement has a bigger loop and I've learned that makes it a different tool.

This tool's days are numbered. You can see how rusty the screws are, and the photo was taken three years ago. Now there's not much left but rust. Soon the handle will fall off; I might be able to salvage it, but there's no point. I now know there is no point in having the steel run full length, and making it just long enough for the blade makes the tool lighter in weight. This makes the tool easier to use.