A fine tool: the spinner
In our ongoing hunt for the finest tools we’ve profiled a brooks range finder, an Atha hammer, a fillet knife, and a level: each of whom is built as a stand-alone device, self-contained and ready to be wielded as they are, at a moment’s notice. The spinner (seen above) is a small, but useful gadget, part of a much larger and complex puzzle. This spinner comes from my father’s pre-1970 David Brown tractor that he’s had since before I was born (1972).
At first glance the spinner is just a wooden knob attached to the steering wheel, but I can assure you it greatly simplifies the often elaborate operation of a powerful machine by allowing the operator to use one hand (instead of two). It gives much added leverage when navigating tight corners, and relief on the long stretches of field when both hands can be taken off the wheel. All that torque, horsepower, all the moving parts, the diesel fuel, the power take-off, the hydraulics: at the end of the day it can all be channeled through a small piece of wood that rests comfortably in the palm of your hand.
This spinner speaks incalculable volumes. It’s easy to imagine the thousands of hours and miles clocked in the field, with a hand on spinner. This tool has been ground down from over 40 years of sweat and hard work into a polished instrument that is unlike any other in the world. My parents have been talking about selling the farm lately and when that day comes I will insure that one tractor will be missing a steering wheel, with a small - but valuable - piece of wood attached. - Peter Buchanan-Smith
