The tools in the picture below are used for engraving leather with reliefs based on the leather carving technique. Both tools can produce the same kind of effects, but one is priced at about 5,000 yen while the other costs about 1,000 yen. There is a five-fold difference in price. When users’ skill levels are low, they are advised to buy cheaper tools and try to hone their skills. As their skills gradually improve, they purchase more expensive tools to present higher-level expressions. Indeed, expensive tools can make a difference in forms and curvature and feel good on users’ fingers and palms. They are less prone to rust as they use stainless steel instead of iron as material. Interestingly, apparently common practices in making tools sometimes result in a big difference in their qualities. So, I have naturally been led to choose tools made with great care. Higher costs and prices do not always matter. What really counts is good qualities of products. Such qualities may constitute invisible values, which I believe are born from the accumulation of their producers’ careful attention to usability. I gather that this accumulation can lead to brand recognition of the products accompanied by higher added values.

Here is the question. Which one do you think is the 5,000-yen engraving tool?

Shogo Aoki

CMFG Design Dept.

Operating Officer