Reading the Hand: What Tool Marks, Hammer Traces, and Finish Variations Tell the Knowing Eye
The marks left by hand tools are not blemishes to be corrected — they are a vocabulary. For the informed buyer, subtle irregularities in forged metal, hand-planed wood, and hand-finished leather offer a precise record of a maker's technique, experience, and aesthetic judgment. Learning to read these details is both a practical skill and a deeper appreciation of what genuine craftsmanship actually looks like.