No. My Tools Aren’t Pink. Here’s Why.

In this article we cover:

• 6 reasons my tools aren’t pink
• 5 potential pros of using pink or purple branded tools
• 4 alternatives to having pink tools if you want to prevent theft or make them easy to detect on shared working sites

Before starting Livlii, there was a day when I ONLY hired contractors for house projects rather than tackling them myself. I remember one contractor in particular that worked on my unfinished basement- which happens to be my workshop area.

This contractor was investigating a wiring issue. I went downstairs to check on his progress and offer a refreshing beverage. Everything looked good until he said…

“I hope it’s ok that I used some of your husband’s tools”.

UMMMMMM WHAT?!?!?!

Let’s be clear. I did NOT have an issue with him borrowing my tools. It was the fact that he ASSUMED the tools were owned and belonged to my male spouse. Not me.

This is NOT the first time I was patronized by a male contractor.

But this one in particular hit a nerve.

I am a home owner. I was the person who interview, hired, and oversaw this contractor’s work. He had no contact with my spouse throughout any of our interactions.

I didn’t even have a wedding band on during our interactions.

But somehow he jumped to the conclusion that I was married, to a “male”, that we shared the house together, and that he was the said owner of the tools in my workshop.

I (as calmy as I could muster) mirrored his wording with a MAJOR edit to kindly notify him of his error. I responded with something like…

“Oh MYyyyyyy tools? Yes that’s fine. Help yourself. I trust you will return them after use.”

 

The contractor must have picked up on my frustrating tone.

I guess I wasn’t that subtle. Oops… kind of.

He quickly apologized and defended how he didn’t realize the tools belonged to me. Why he came to that conclusion I inquired?

You guessed it. Because they WEREN’T PINK.

As you’ve seen photos and videos my tool AREN’T pink.

Don’t get me wrong. I really like pink.

For gosh sake, my wedding colors were blush and a muted gray. I got married almost twenty years ago but still, I clearly like pink.

I really have nothing against pink. With ONE exception.

I refuse to use Pink tool.

WHY MY TOOLS AREN’T PINK.

Where do I start? Here’s my list of the top FIVE reasons I don’t buy or use PINK (and purple) tools.

REASON #1

Just like Bic’s pink pens, making something in pink, demeans things for “her”, thus perpetuating the stereotype that tools are made for “men” unless they are pink or purple. It is my opinion that pink and purple tools reinforce female oppressions and widens the gender distance. How about, instead, we remove any “gender” identification in tools by making all tools accessible to ALL? Who wouldn’t benefit from tools that are lighter in weight? Easy to use single or dual-handed, – all handedness in fact.

REASON #2

All the tools I need and LOVE working in construction at my home and the homes of clients, don’t even come in a custom color outside their brand colors. Try finding a circular saw or ladders in pink. Let’s be clear. I’m not ENCOURAGING these tools be made in pink. Because I wouldn’t buy them if they were. The tools that ARE available in pink start and stop at your beginner staple items and usually come as a kit- like this set available at Amazon.

REASON #3

Pink tools are typically made with reduced quality. A quick Amazon search and you will find pink power drills made from less-known brands including Avid Power, Fast Pro, WorkPro, PinkPower, to name a few. Have you heard of any of those brands? Try and find a pink tool made from well-known high-quality brands like DeWALT, Milwaukee, Mikata, RYOBI and more, and your search will result in zero results. This isn’t accidental.

REASON #4

Women don’t need pink tools. ALL humans need GREAT tools. Tools that consistently get the job done, don’t fail at critical times, have long-lasting batteries. and don’t feel heavy after two minutes of use.

REASON #5

I don’t want to support “gendered” tools. Remember that google search of “pink” tools? Revisit them and you will read references to “ladies”, “women” and “girls” in the product description. Nope. Tools aren’t gendered. Instead? Consider supporting women in construction by celebrating and advocating women in construction week which is the first full week of March.

REASON #6

Selling pink tools second hand will likely be more difficult because of the narrowed market of potential buyers. When I replace my gently used or well-loved tools with a new one, I sell or donate the one’s I’ve chosen to replace. I’d hate for someone to chose to buy a new tool over buying my used tool simply because of the color.

PLEASE don’t misunderstand.

Pink tools DO come with a few noteworthy pros. We’ve provided you a list of benefits of pink tools to help you decide if Pink (or purple) tools are right for you.

PROS OF PINK (AND PURPLE) TOOLS

• Pink (and purple) tools are typically less expensive. We do LOVE saving money so that’s one potential bonus of pink (and/or purple) tools. Just be mindful that less money MAY result in reduced quality. Read every review!

• They are easy to find in a shared work station. If you’re like me and work for a contractor or work on job sites with a shared work station, there’s bound to be some tools mingling. Finding the tool you need that’s already in front of your face is hard enough. A pink tool among red, navy, and yellow tools at a busy job site can be SUPER helpful. It’s easier to tell who’s tools are who’s when some are pink and all the others are NOT.

• They are typically lighter in weight. Compare the weight of most power tools and power tools that are pink and you’ll likely see a weight difference. Again a HUGE benefit when using a power drill for a longer period of time to minimize arm fatigue. But at what cost? I’d rather find a non-gender confirming drill that’s also light in weight. The average power drill weight is … Our favorite light weight drill that we use is the. With a battery pack included, the total weight of this drill comes in at 3.36 lbs.

• People may be discouraged to steal them. During my parents last move, nearly all of my Dad’s power tools were stollen by the moving company. Terrible right? I AM curious- had his tools been pink if they would have been stolen. Research indicates that “painting a machinery pink” has proven anecdotally to be a strong theft deterrent” (source).

• Buying Pink (again, OR purple) tools may support small businesses- and less-known brands. Buying tools from lesser known brands we mentioned earlier can help promote small business.

SIMPLE ALTERNATIVES TO PINK OR PURPLE TOOLS

If you are looking to personalize your tools consider these simple alternatives.

• Label Maker. I’ve used my Brother label maker like this one from Amazon for years now. It’s super easy to use and purchasing and loading the ribbons couldn’t be easier.

• Oil based Paint Pens like these from Amazon. I’ve even seen people use nail polish on their tool handles.

• Sharpie. Yup. Using a fine point or wide tip (depending on the tool) to add your initials to the bottom of any hand tool, battery, power tool, etc. will last a few years. Just be sure to label a part of the tool that your hand (or your construction job material) touches the least to help it last the longest.

• Thin duct tape. Consider adding a thin layer of duct tape to your tools in a favorite color. These thin duct tape rolls with various colors from Amazon get excellent reviews.

KEEP in mind, some tools are nearly IMPOSSIBLE to label like individual drill bits, lose nails, etc. Instead consider labeling the case your small parts are stored.

We’ve read articles recommending people spray paint their tools but we’d highly discourage that as paint can transfer from your tool to a job site, and may disguise the brand of your tool making it very difficult to replace it when it’s time.

So that’s WHY my tools are pink, a few benefits to pink tools, and alternatives to using pink tools if you worry about theft or identifying your tools when working at a shared job site.

Want to support women in construction? Consider celebrating and advocating for women in construction week which is the first full week of March.