Review on 🔧 Optimized Combination Square by Jose Mcdaniel

When precision counts, it's the tool. In doing so, I have to consider a few problems that are easy to solve. When the item was delivered it was covered in oil - it would be nice if the oil was clean but the tool left dark marks on everything I've used it against. I grabbed a rag and wiped off all the oil and cleaned every nook and cranny. This of course left the piece sparkling clean (it could be used on my blanks), but it also made the piece extremely susceptible to rusting. The latter was solved by rubbing in wax paste. I first tried beeswax but it didn't last long (a week) while a paste wax (like Minwax) seems to last a few months. Spring hardened steel shows no sign of rust, which is good. No star deduction, because the functional quality of this device is above all. It's really very accurate, and for that I'm willing to polish and wax it a few times a year. I find that the more you engage with it, the more you have to keep it clean. Oils from my fingers seem to be a catalyst for rust. If I wax it, clean it and don't touch it, it stays beautiful. Another trick is to put masking tape on the shiny parts before removing it. You can also use gloves when handling if you really don't like the maintenance. Of course, after reading this, it sounds like I *should* deduct a star, but I understand that this is a common problem with such tools. However, it would be very good if the best combination square became the best stainless combination square.