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If there's a problem, there's a solution. Of course, if the issue is very specific, a simple screwdriver probably won't do the trick. Luckily, human ingenuity has more to offer. A lot more. And you can see it all on the subreddit r/SpecializedTools.

It's an interesting corner of the internet, encouraging people to post photos of niche tools, created to make our lives better in situations where nothing else fits quite as well. A real delight to satisfy our curiosity.

#1

This Chair For People Who Love To Sit Cross-Legged

This Chair For People Who Love To Sit Cross-Legged

mtimetraveller Report

Most family garages probably have an assortment of tools and materials that could all be used to make, for example, a basic table for the backyard or even something more complex. The team at Dienamics, a company that specializes in industrial design, toolmaking, and manufacturing, says that tools are the backbone of modern industry and trade. They are essential in almost any construction project. However, we don't often stop to think about the process of making the tools themselves.

Many argue that in prehistoric times, one of the most important eras in our evolution was the utilization of basic tools. The earliest known human-made stone tools date back around 2.6 million years. Crafted and used by homo habilis (sometimes known as "handy man"), these implements marked the first in a series of major toolmaking advances among early human hunter-gatherer societies, lasting from the early Stone Age all the way up until the first modern humans, homo sapiens, made the transition to permanent agricultural settlements around 10,000 years ago. Tools allowed our ancient ancestors to have much more of an effect on the world around them, helping them to survive in more comfort, and achieve more with less.

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As we evolved as a species, so did our tools and our ability to use them. These two elements were essential to the development of infrastructure, which spurred the establishment of trades like carpentry and blacksmithing which relied on an individual mastering the use of a certain tool or trade. While hand tools were once forged out of the natural environment, these trades fine-tuned the creation of their tools using iron, wood and other metals which were heated and remolded.

These days, the process of creating tools is a lot more specific which, according to Dienamics, means there is a uniformity in material, size, and weight of hand tools which wasn't possible before. Now, a hand tool is designed on a computer, taking into account specific measurements and densities which make it both efficient and easy to use.

#5

Tree Mover

Tree Mover

Pushkatron Report

#6

A Lift To Help This Truck Driver Get In Cab

A Lift To Help This Truck Driver Get In Cab

memezzer Report

#7

Surgical Suture Training Pad

Surgical Suture Training Pad

mud_tug Report

#8

My Smallest And Largest Hex Keys For Working On Large Injection Molding Presses

My Smallest And Largest Hex Keys For Working On Large Injection Molding Presses

switchup Report

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#9

A Norwegian Shoe Drying Machine

A Norwegian Shoe Drying Machine

Sacktimus_Prime Report

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Cip IESAN
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In fact, the device sucks the smell from the shoes and spread it all over the neighborhood...

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#10

Snow Clearing Machine For Trucks!

Snow Clearing Machine For Trucks!

screwywabbit Report

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Mazer
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It’s illegal in many states not to clear snow from the roof of a vehicle

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#11

To Test Large Crane Capacity We Use Giant Water Bags... Aka The Balls Of Judgment

To Test Large Crane Capacity We Use Giant Water Bags... Aka The Balls Of Judgment

flgsrockon Report

#12

In Case You Have Never Seen, These Baffle Balls Are Used Inside Water Trucks To Stop The Water From Sloshing Side To Side While Driving

In Case You Have Never Seen, These Baffle Balls Are Used Inside Water Trucks To Stop The Water From Sloshing Side To Side While Driving

NRGpop Report

#13

During The Australian Bushfires Any Water Source Can Be Used To Fight The Fires

During The Australian Bushfires Any Water Source Can Be Used To Fight The Fires

outdatedopinion Report

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Jo Morris
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I saw water getting taken from water hazards on a neighbouring golf course during the Canberra Bushfires.

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#14

You Saw My Largest And Smallest Hex Keys. These Are My Largest And Smallest Adjustable Wrenches!

You Saw My Largest And Smallest Hex Keys. These Are My Largest And Smallest Adjustable Wrenches!

switchup Report

#15

This Titanium Coated Butter Knife With Internal Copper Alloy Heat Tubes. It’s Made To Heat Up When Held In Your Hand, So That It Is Easier To Spread Butter

This Titanium Coated Butter Knife With Internal Copper Alloy Heat Tubes. It’s Made To Heat Up When Held In Your Hand, So That It Is Easier To Spread Butter

RampChurch Report

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Serial pacifist
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Titanium coated butter knife with internal copper alloy heat tubes". Really? Just to cut butter? What would you use for bread - a vibranium covered adamantium-made knife with a diamond-cutting laser beam?

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#17

A Street Sign Cleaning Vehicle, Complete With Soap, Water, A Brush And Some Kind Of Reflective Wax (Or Something?). First Time Seeing One In Germany

A Street Sign Cleaning Vehicle, Complete With Soap, Water, A Brush And Some Kind Of Reflective Wax (Or Something?). First Time Seeing One In Germany

ToFFi57 Report

#18

These Specialized Chain Tires That Are Used In The Extreme Heat Of Steel Mills

These Specialized Chain Tires That Are Used In The Extreme Heat Of Steel Mills

AristonD Report

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#20

My Buddy Made Me A Label Applicator. Just Passed 8000 Bottles/Labels

My Buddy Made Me A Label Applicator. Just Passed 8000 Bottles/Labels

JeF4y Report

#22

The Sasumata Is A Pole Weapon Used By The Samurai In Feudal Japan. It's Also Used Today To Safely Wrangle Anyone Posing A Threat To Civilians

The Sasumata Is A Pole Weapon Used By The Samurai In Feudal Japan. It's Also Used Today To Safely Wrangle Anyone Posing A Threat To Civilians

SAmtoogz Report

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NsG
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I misread this as "satsuma" and wondered how a small orange fruit could be used in crowd control... My bad.

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#23

New Type Of Parking Enforcement On My Campus Replacing The Boot, Appropriately Named “The Barnacle”

New Type Of Parking Enforcement On My Campus Replacing The Boot, Appropriately Named “The Barnacle”

LiQuiD0v3rkiLL Report

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KJ
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Curious about how its fixed to the windscreen, surely easier to remove?

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#24

Bend Rules

Bend Rules

mtimetraveller Report

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Maryse Faucher
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I got one of those from my dad tool box that I got after his passing. Strangely used it to make the corner when I sew

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#25

Tool That Allows One Man To Move The Whole Train By Hand

Tool That Allows One Man To Move The Whole Train By Hand

aloofloofah Report

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Moodles
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You'd like every train in the UK is moved like this ALL THE TIME judging by the constant delays

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#26

Barrel-Filling Bridge

Barrel-Filling Bridge

aloofloofah Report

#27

When A Guy Walks Into Your Office With This Thing Asking To Take A Reading. It's Called A Velometer, And Measures The Speed Of Air In A Given Area. He Kindly Allowed Me To Take A Photo

When A Guy Walks Into Your Office With This Thing Asking To Take A Reading. It's Called A Velometer, And Measures The Speed Of Air In A Given Area. He Kindly Allowed Me To Take A Photo

AzayakaCosplay Report

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Becky Samuel
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We're going to be seeing a lot more of this now that the importance of air flow in disease prevention has become more apparent.

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#28

Nasa Pistol Grip Tool - A Cordless Power Screwdriver/Drill Used By Spacewalking Astronauts To Fix The Hubble Space Telescope And The International Space Station

Nasa Pistol Grip Tool - A Cordless Power Screwdriver/Drill Used By Spacewalking Astronauts To Fix The Hubble Space Telescope And The International Space Station

mikerowave Report

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#29

I Work In A Stem Cell Lab. This Is A Liquid Nitrogen Dry Shipper, Used To Transport Cryopreserved Products Like Stem Cells And Vaccines In -150c

I Work In A Stem Cell Lab. This Is A Liquid Nitrogen Dry Shipper, Used To Transport Cryopreserved Products Like Stem Cells And Vaccines In -150c

hiimkristina Report

#30

Using A Comb To Straighten Air Conditioner Fins

Using A Comb To Straighten Air Conditioner Fins

jefftatro1 Report

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Kenny Kulbiski
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah, but no matter how many you bring to the job you won't have the right size, they take quite a bit of effort, and don't work on heavily smashed fins. Plus you're probably going to slip and slice your knuckles.

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#31

Stenographer, The Machine The Court Reporters Use To Type Everything That Is Said There

Stenographer, The Machine The Court Reporters Use To Type Everything That Is Said There

mtimetraveller , Mike Gifford Report

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Francis
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

can somebody explain me how it works and how the people know what they wrote?

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#32

Spent Shotgun Shell Lawn Sweeper Picker-Upper

Spent Shotgun Shell Lawn Sweeper Picker-Upper

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#33

Pedestrian Catcher In 1920s

Pedestrian Catcher In 1920s

mtimetraveller Report

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mcborge1
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can just imagine the narration. :D "And look at this hapless chap, we'll soon deal with him."

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#34

They're Childrens' Training Scissors. Like For Pre-Schoolers. The Extra Holes Are So A Grown-Up Can Co-Scissor And Help The Kid

They're Childrens' Training Scissors. Like For Pre-Schoolers. The Extra Holes Are So A Grown-Up Can Co-Scissor And Help The Kid

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N G
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These are knuckle duster scissors, used by those fight club members who also like to do crafting.

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Nubis Knight
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And it's for leftys, too! Only had one for right handed kids, when I was a trainee as kindergardener.

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Shelli Aderman
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not for another person to do it with them, it’s for the toddler to use 4 fingers, because dexterity… 🤦🏽‍♀️

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Maryse Faucher
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Those can also be used for when the person need extra strength for cutting. Like after a muscle mass loss

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Marsha Sturgill
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I clearly remember being in 1st grade, left-handed, and trying my best to use scissors for lefties. I couldn't get them to cut. I watched the other kids not having any trouble cutting. I started holding the regular scissors in my right hand. It felt awkward, but they cut the paper with no problem. This was the beginning of me being ambidextrous.

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Jeanie Roundy
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wish I could see a little kid's hand next to it. Looks extremely clumsy.

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Nugget
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Great for assisting someone with coordination or muscle problems. I work with people with dementia and could see these being helpful in aiding,but still allowing to maintain some independence and autonomy.

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Mary Peace
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't see how the extra holes would help the grown-up. Either the holes are too big for a young child, or too small for the adult.

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Miguel Lozano
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Maybe they're made for teaching/guiding lefty kids into how to use their scissors with their right hand 😱

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Cydney Golden
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I remember seeing these in my classroom. I also remember them not really working easily.

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Chloe *Leah* Pheonix
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ok I get how it works but my instinct to teach someone while it's happening is to pit my fingers in two holes and try to separate it.. I'll pass

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#35

I'm A Dog Groomer. These Guys Are Chunkers Meant To Specifically "Chunk" Out The Thick Hair

I'm A Dog Groomer. These Guys Are Chunkers Meant To Specifically "Chunk" Out The Thick Hair

daisytrips Report

#36

Insulated Cryo Glove For Handling Very Cold Items (E.g. Liquid Helium). Like An Oven Mitt’s Cold Cousin

Insulated Cryo Glove For Handling Very Cold Items (E.g. Liquid Helium). Like An Oven Mitt’s Cold Cousin

phronimouse Report

#37

A Tool Used For Straw Roofing. Dutch Word For It Is 'Drijfbord'

A Tool Used For Straw Roofing. Dutch Word For It Is 'Drijfbord'

Moeiekoe Report

#38

For Right Handed, Left Eye Dominant Folks

For Right Handed, Left Eye Dominant Folks

robblokkit Report

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NOLAHusker
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wonder if the rest of the world knows that hunting rifles exist in countries other than the US. Wouldn’t know it based on these comments.

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#39

Ladies And Gentlemen, Allow Me To Present A Fabled “The Right Tool”. This Is The Only Tool That Can Be Used To Remove The Oil Filter Housing On A Lamborghini Gallardo

Ladies And Gentlemen, Allow Me To Present A Fabled “The Right Tool”. This Is The Only Tool That Can Be Used To Remove The Oil Filter Housing On A Lamborghini Gallardo

8jac0b88 Report

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Francis
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

when you're so hyper special that you design a car that comes with its own tools :D

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#40

A Champagne Sabre, For Cutting The Tops Off Champagne Bottles

A Champagne Sabre, For Cutting The Tops Off Champagne Bottles

CitySquirrel202 Report

Note: this post originally had 49 images. It’s been shortened to the top 40 images based on user votes.