Some things that we buy that improve our doing things and/or our life.
By writersedge
@writersedge (22563)
United States
October 20, 2011 12:35pm CST
My husband just bought a new rake. It has a soft spongy part around the handle. I rememvber when we only had wood on our rakes and the handle would splinter and the splinter would go in my hand. Other times, we bought metal ones and I would do it so long that I would get a blister on my hands. So I like the spongy covering on rake handles and other tool handles. You can work longer without getting hurt. Have you ever had handles that were covered and make life easier for you?
What are some things that you think are an improvement? How were they improved? Why were you glad they were improved?
2 people like this
8 responses
@lilblondiemjd (857)
• United States
21 Oct 11
My friend was telling me today about how she bought a device that peels a whole apple in one stride all by itself! I think it's an old gadget too, which makes it even more interesting. She bought it at a pawn shop...Which would kind of make me want to steer clear, but she's going to wash it up and make some apple pies or apple crisp with it. She also has a device that cores and slices apples in one swipe, so that will be cool too! I bet it will cut the time it takes to make a pie in half or more!
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
23 Oct 11
Those gadgits really do come in handy. We had to make 180 apple pies one year for a club I was in and I manned the peeler/corer. My shoulder was tired at teh tend of the day, good there there were 8 of us worked and 6 of us were manning the peelers/corers. I can't cook pies worth beans, most other things, but pies and donuts I don't do well. Quick breads, brownies, etc., I can do, but not those two items.
Thanks for dropping by and commenting. Take care.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (159227)
• Boise, Idaho
21 Oct 11
There have been alot of changes over the years. I have seen a change in lotion bottles, mop handles, brooms, and all for the better. I remember raking the lawn at my grandparent's and it was with an old bambo rake. When their garage burnt to the ground alot of old antiquated tools burned.
1 person likes this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
21 Oct 11
That's too bad. It costs a lot of money to retool.
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@writersedge (22563)
• United States
23 Oct 11
That's sad. My husband loves antique tools. Everywhere he goes, he looks for them.
1 person likes this
@thesids (22180)
• Bhubaneswar, India
21 Oct 11
Hi writers 
I think one of the most useful "improvement" has been in the field of sewing needles that we normally use with hands. The earlier generation had a closed end where you put the thread but the newer generation has a slit. This makes plaing the thread easy and in Indian scenario where moms normally do all the sewing by hand even at old ages when there eyesight plays with them, I believe this is a much needed improvement. These needles are called Easy Needles.
I think one of the most useful "improvement" has been in the field of sewing needles that we normally use with hands. The earlier generation had a closed end where you put the thread but the newer generation has a slit. This makes plaing the thread easy and in Indian scenario where moms normally do all the sewing by hand even at old ages when there eyesight plays with them, I believe this is a much needed improvement. These needles are called Easy Needles.1 person likes this
@pergammano (7682)
• Canada
21 Oct 11
thesids...I so love the fact that you give deference to the lovely ladies in your life! These "easy needles" are so much easier to thread...but, I think when asked, I would have to say they have serious drawbacks too..if one is sewing heavy fabric...any tension on the thread, and the needle easily "unthreads" itself, too! I have the old-fashioned closed end for sewing heavy fabrics like denim...and "easy's" for delicates. We have here, a delicate wire contraption, that is looped, poke the looped end thru the needle, it expands and poke the thread thru..pull it back thru the eye..and voila, threaded! Wish I could draw you a pic..or new the correct name! It's now always included in a package of new needles.[em]@writersedge (22563)
• United States
21 Oct 11
I must be getting to be one of those ladies. I bought some of those needles last year!
1 person likes this
@thesids (22180)
• Bhubaneswar, India
21 Oct 11
Hi dear pergammano
Of course, I always think of women as great souls and my late granny, my mom and my wife are all examples and reasons of why I believe that. The heavy fabrics are better sewn using the machines and stitching them using plain hands and needles is really difficult. You are quite correct that when it comes to sticthing or even mending the heavy ones, these easy needles are not that good.
Of course, I always think of women as great souls and my late granny, my mom and my wife are all examples and reasons of why I believe that. The heavy fabrics are better sewn using the machines and stitching them using plain hands and needles is really difficult. You are quite correct that when it comes to sticthing or even mending the heavy ones, these easy needles are not that good.1 person likes this
@hardworkinggurl (37063)
• United States
20 Oct 11
Several years ago I purchased an easy grip scissors. I always disliked when I use a pair of scissors how the metal ring handles were harsh on my fingers. I own an electric can opener so I don't have to use a manual one. lol
I also own a milk shaker so I do not have to use the blender anymore and it allows me to not have to use the big jug as ours is for one portion at a time.
I remember when I use to use the wooden rack as well, and opted for a plastic handle one also with a spongy type grip on it.
1 person likes this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
21 Oct 11
Yes, scissors can really hurt your hands unless you get ones with nice handles.
You listed a few things. So you can think of many. That's good.
1 person likes this
@eljayo (1105)
• Philippines
21 Oct 11
Hi! For me there are a lot of innovations in our technology that have really helped us to do things easier. For me I would give the mixer as a example because in manual mixing it will take a lot of effort to mix the ingredients well, when we bought a mixer it was really a great help for me.
1 person likes this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
21 Oct 11
Mixers are definitely wonderful, that's for sure. Thanks and take care.
1 person likes this
@Abdominal (7)
• Australia
21 Oct 11
I once purchased a hammer with a grip, and it is amazing how much easier it is to nail things, especially into wood. Beats wooden handles any day.
1 person likes this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
21 Oct 11
Hammer grips are definitely wonderful! They really do make hammering nails in better. Quite right. Thands and welcome to Mylot!
1 person likes this
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
10 Feb 12
Yes, looking back at things, a lot of times most things they come out with now are an improvement. Especially if they do less harm, and still last as long. I remember the wood and having to worry about slivers, or the metal getting to hard and getting a blister. It was not Fun. It is always neat to see some of the improvements they come out with to make our lives better.
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
10 Feb 12
Now they have leather wood carriers which I'm sure work better than the boxes that fell apart half way there.
@pergammano (7682)
• Canada
21 Oct 11
Yes, writers, I love the new "comfort" handle on manual tools. I recently bought a new shovel at "Xcess CArgo" (a great place of some bargains) and it had a nice foam encasement on the "work part" of the handle, and it is so nice to work with! What a simple solution! I went out and bought a roll of foam, very inexpensive and did the same on all my axes, rakes, molls, picks, etc.
Do you have an Xess Cargo in your area....great bargains. This is a superior shovel, construction wise, and I paid only $9.99 for it! I had actually broke my shovel handle trying to dig up "fennel roots"...a new handle was $19.99..so of course, I jumped on this whole unit for $9.99!
@pergammano (7682)
• Canada
22 Oct 11
Just found another one, yesterday..writers! I truly do have a lot of hand tools because of my landscaping business....! Was at the Hardware Store buying something else, and looking at insulation for doors (actually for the jamb) and there is a roll of foam, about 1/2 inch wide, and it is self-adhesive and VERY inexpensive, but a seemingly better foam, as it has to withstand doors slamming....just rolled that tightly on the handle of one of my axes...WHAT a treat for my calluses...LOL!@writersedge (22563)
• United States
21 Oct 11
I don't think we have Xcess Cargo here.
That is really something. You could buy two shovels for the price of one handle.
Hadn't thought of foaming all my handles. If I did, I would probably buy the stuff for wrapping pipes, Then I'd just have to cut to size. The circular shape is already there. Never thought of that. Great idea!
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