tool of the year

[J Patrick Draine]

I've been thinking about what last purchases I want to make before the 
end of the tax year (piano tech tools, office software, printer, etc.), 
and thought I'd toss out my "best pick" of the year. I bought a tuning 
lever from Charles Faulk several months ago, and am very satisfied with 
the results. My last expensive tuning lever purchase was a Renner/Keith 
Bowman one, but my notion of what constituted an ideal lever differed 
with how my arm and shoulder felt about it. At that time I went for the 
longer one with a dense hardwood handle. I seldom use it, or my Itoshin 
lever, now.
The lever Charles recommended was one with a walnut handle -- lighter 
than the other exotic woods he uses -- and in combination with the 
titanium shaft it is really light, but quite rigid.
I've had really nasty tendonitis (or is it bursitis --who knows?) 
problems with my tuning arm's shoulder, and this light but solid hammer 
has really helped me get through the XMas mad rush with much less 
discomfort.
Kinda like tennis rackets. I used heavy wooden rackets back in my 
youth, but the titanium ones allow me to still enjoy playing 
occasionally. I did dig the wooden one out one weekend and surprised my 
pals with the power of the service I got out of it, but my arm and 
shoulder were burning for a couple days after.
Best wishes,
Patrick Draine