I try to use the best tool for the job rather than the simplest. So if it's a chore then it's generally what will help me get the job done fastest so I can go and have fun. When I'm having fun its the tool that will make it the most fun. If I'm riding my bike that's generally singlespeed.

 

I'm a grumpy old fart, I tend to do a lot of stuff the hard way quite involuntarily..

 

Well, I have way too much yard (and too many hills) to use a push mower. And I don't have a fireplace or a wood stove (which is a problem I'd like to remedy) so I don't split firewood. But I have been known to build some single track, and I mostly do that by hand. I've also cut a few trees off trails with a hand saw. I did use a chainsaw one time to split an old cedar log longways for a balance beam, but that's another story. I suppose, what it boils down to is that I use the tools available to do the job that needs doing in the way that makes the most sense. I'm not going to carry a chainsaw down 7 miles of trail to find one tree that needs to be cut in two places to be moved off a trail. But I'm not going to push mow 5 acres on a 15% grade either.

 

Manual transmission cars -- I like to shift for myself .

 

^ x2
I bought a straight razor this summer mostly because I got tired of buying expensive cartridge replacements that still shave like crap. I'm still learning how to use it.
Wanted to get a reel mower, but my roommate was against it.
I'm about to try the fixed gear koolaid mostly for commuting, but I'm sure I'll find the trails sooner or later.
Like to use maps more than a gps

It seems like the "hard way" is often better if you take the time to learn the skill.

 

^^ +2 on the last two posts! I love manual transmission cars.

I have a 1940 safety razor that I still have to buy blades for but they're much cheaper then the cartridges!

I prefer my watches to have hands on them rather than digital.

 

I actually find riding my SS is taking the easy way. Grab the bars, clip in, and pedal. So easy to just simply enjoy the ride.

 

Hmm.. I like to do things the simple way, but most of all I like doing things the cheap (but good) way. That's part of the draw I feel towards single speeds and vintage bikes; I like to DIY and I like getting good deals on forgotten and neglected treasures. I bake my own bread. I grind my coffee by hand in a little Hario burr-mill grinder and use the aeropress to make cups individually, because I love good coffee but I'm too cheap to buy expensive equipment or pay 5.00 per cup at the hip coffee shop. SS bikes, and working on bikes in general allows me to get my hands dirty and to be proud of what I achieve through my own hard work...

 

The only power tool I own is a rechargeable drilldriver
Reel mower
Lawn shears for edging
Hand saw
Sanding block
I finish my wood by hand (lol)
Tried like hell to go tubeless without a compressor but gave up when there was more profanity than progress
My cell is seven years old; does that count?

 

For me, it's not about doing things the hard way, but rather using equipment that I know I can depend on. I prefer power tools, computers, cell phones, etc, but I make sure that they are quality pieces that won't sh!t the bed. Sometimes this results in keeping things simple/hard; sometimes it doesn't.

 

I use a scythe to cut my grass when I have a yard. I do it because I hate the emissions that gas mowers spew. I split my own firewood when I have a fireplace. I like analog clocks and manual transmissions. I've often thought about getting a washboard and doing my laundry by hand so I don't use electricity to clean my clothes. Still might. I use a clothes line to dry my clothes. make all my meals using dry goods that need soaking. When my clothes get holes I hand sew patches over them until my pants are more patch than pant. I use grey water to flush my toilet. For me it's not really about doing it the hard way or easy way, it's about reducing my impact on the environment as much as possible.

 

Good thing you are, you're making up for me!

Sent from my Full Android on Supersonic using Tapatalk 2

 

I'm so singlespeed, I use tweezers to pluck my beard-hairs instead of a razor.

 

Single, with a healthy hatred for humanity; because people with attitudes like Pudmunkie exist.

 

ut: I for one love my washer/dryer and quite enjoy the marvels of indoor plumbing. I won't get started on my love for two-stroke motors, leaded gasoline, and my truck...or my unhealthy hatred of the smell of patchouli....

 

It would suit me to do everything the "hard" way, my wife wouldn't go for it though!

Dick Proenneke is my idol!!

 

I enjoy manual transmissions and walk to work barefoot....













(I work at home though)

 

I don't know if it is more simple or not but as noted earlier, if there is a cool new tool for something I need to do then my first mission is to procure said tool, then start the project. This goes from car jacks, to air compressors, cordless drills, O2 sensor sockets for the car, table saw for ripping pergo flooring, nail gun for crown molding....Oh, and the bike stuff too. I tried to get a new air compressor when going tubless but the wife has caught on to the game and insisted that the current one should work just fine (which it did but dang, I really wanted the one with the frickn V-8 sitting on top of it!

As for phones, well, I'm not techno geek but I do like the touch screens and the ability to check email and txt (except for when it is all work related crap that keeps coming into my mail box). But since the government gave me a black berry to carry around 24/7 I refuse to go buy something better and carry two phones around all the time.

 

I play stock-class paintball, but it's more for the reliability/simplicity of the equipment, lower cost, and fun factor.

 

Speaking of push mowers, I bought this last year and it is awesome. Chain driven, so it's technically a singlespeed.

MOWER

 

You guys need to get one of these

MOWERCYCLE! Human powered lawn-mower | Inhabitat - Sustainable Design Innovation, Eco Architecture, Green Building

Of course I'd rip that derailleur off and convert that sucker to SS.

 

Cooking on an outdoor wood fire. Using an axe vs. a chainsaw. Would like to get into traditional archery "making my own bow and arrows". Rigid fork on my SS!

I think taking a lump of raw material like wood or metal and making something out of it is almost spiritual in a way.(?) Never done it but I think using a forge to make your own knives would be cool!

I tend to just have an appreciation for things that are kind of old school I guess.

I know this is REALLY old school but I like riding and racing my bike without using PEDS!

 

I don't always do things the hard way, but I like to prove that things can be done without all the creature comforts and motor-powered luxuries that many people couldn't live without. I still use and enjoy technology.

 

I like simple, durable and reliable things, I still play old cartridge based videos, Atari 2600, Sega Genesis, NES and so on, they are 20-30 years old and still work like a charm.
And the most important, just like single speed bicycles those games are just a lot more fun and challenging.
As for doing things the hard way I just carried a bicycle on my backpack while riding another bicycle, as I had to pick a bike up at the LBS. I hate driving/public transportation, and today I didn't feel like walking to the LBS, I guess I did it the hard way, my shoulder agrees.