Tooled Up: Gifts for the Girls

Though tools are traditionally the domain of the males,their own hands (and not to have to rely on the man
there are an increasing number of tools aimed at theof the house to put up those new shelves), there are
fairer sex appearing on the market.now specially designed girls tool sets. The main
Take one of the most masculine pieces of equipmentdifference in a tool set for the girls and a tool set for
of all time - the Swiss army knife. Ever since the boythe guys is the colour; the ladies' kits tend to come in
scouts were formed the penknife has been anpink or in floral designs and some even come in a
essential piece of kit for any straight guy. Infinitelystylish hand bag style case, which not only looks good
useful with their various corkscrews, blades, pliers,but is also bound to keep the men's hands off your
toothpicks and tweezers, there are few men whotools.
don't own at least one of these.The auto-industry is also recognising that females offer
However, Victorinox, the company behind the classica significant market to tap and as such have begun to
Swiss army knife have in recent years sought tooffer female-specific roadside tool kits containing all the
double their customer base by making penknivesessential emergency supplies such as jump leads,
aimed most definitely towards the ladies. The classicmobile phone chargers, screwdrivers, hammers and
knifes are now available in more female colours (think:ratchets - again available in pink.
pink) as well as more compact, elegant designs thatThe move into the female market has generally been
would slip into a handbag. Other innovations that targetvery well received, though there are some hardy
the female market include the SwissCard, a creditfeminists who feel that pink tool kits are patronising and
card sized multi-tool that fits neatly into a wallet andhave pointed out that women don't need tools to be
contains the essentials such as a nail file, mirror andpink to be able to use them.
scissors.However, the feminised tool sets continue to attract
Other companies have also sought to feminise whatgirls into this traditionally male dominated area and for
has always been considered the domain of the male.the fairer sex, and the manufacturers alike, that can't
In a bid to encourage more ladies to take matters intobe a bad thing.