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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.

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    #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
    3 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
    3 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

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    #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
    3 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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    POST
    Serial pacifist
    Community Member
    3 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

    #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

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    #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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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

    GI-Girl56 Report

    #33

    Pedestrian Catcher In 1920s

    Pedestrian Catcher In 1920s

    mtimetraveller Report

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    mcborge1
    Community Member
    3 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

    Mak_101 Report

    #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

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    #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
    3 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
    3 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

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    #42

    A Spray Specifically Designed To Test Smoke Detectors

    A Spray Specifically Designed To Test Smoke Detectors

    regnerus Report

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    M O'Connell
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is important because it doesn't leave a residue behind with might affect future operation of the sensor in an emergency.

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    #43

    This Scale Matches Up Combinations Of Mushrooms That Weigh A Certain Amount For Packaging

    This Scale Matches Up Combinations Of Mushrooms That Weigh A Certain Amount For Packaging

    dartmaster666 Report

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    Lexi Stoffel
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In all honesty I have a dirty mind as well, I thought is was something totally different as well.

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    #44

    Safe Autodialler Cracking A Floor Safe

    Safe Autodialler Cracking A Floor Safe

    danielnitschke Report

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    Phendrena
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If you want to see it in action then this video :::: https://youtu.be/vkk-2QEUvuk :::: from the Lock Picking Lawyer is what you need to watch.

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    #45

    A "Tree" For Drying Bottles Are The Homebrewing Shop

    A "Tree" For Drying Bottles Are The Homebrewing Shop

    CaptWineTeeth Report

    #46

    This Keyed Switch That I'm Installing In A New School So Kids Can't Turn Lights On And Off

    This Keyed Switch That I'm Installing In A New School So Kids Can't Turn Lights On And Off

    Cheeeeeeeesse Report

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

    They'll find a way. Particularly now you've shown the key and how it works on t'internet :D

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    #47

    If You’ve Ever Pulled Carpet By Hand, You’ll Appreciate This

    If You’ve Ever Pulled Carpet By Hand, You’ll Appreciate This

    s_team7 Report

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    A B C
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ooooooh yes I do. Pulling carpet by hand is a workout and a half. Especially for your hands, as you can't quite get a good hold onto the carpet without absolutely CLENCHING your fingers.

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    #48

    Conveyor Table For More Humanely Vaccinating Lambs

    Conveyor Table For More Humanely Vaccinating Lambs

    stalwart_rabbit Report

    #49

    Diamond Core Drilling Machine

    Diamond Core Drilling Machine

    regian24 Report