The earliest evidence of human cultural behavior is the manufacture of tools.

Early man was developing tools to make tasks easier for at least 2.6 million years. Oldowan tools — the oldest-known stone tool industry — have been unearthed throughout Africa with the oldest found in Gona, Ethiopia.

Ever since, humans have been seek­ing new ways to improve tools. Al­though tools have improved efficiency, they are not always used in the most efficient manner. Tapping into the minds of the best farriers and toolmakers in the country, here are some tips to improve your efficiency with tools.

Hammers

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that the tools in the Oldowan tool kit were cutting and hammering instruments.

“The hammer has gone through a tremendous evolution,” says Hall Of Fame farrier Jim Keith of Tucumcari, N.M. “It probably started out as a flat rock. A stick with a knobby end on it was probably added eventually. Virtually any tool made by man can be used as a hammer. I know I use my computer mouse sometimes as a hammer when it doesn’t work right.”

Although…