That is what my children said when I opened my box of Micro-fiber cloths that were dyed with the Sterling Tool Works logo just before the Lie-Nielsen tool event this past weekend. For those not familiar with the Term “Woobie” it was started in 1983 with the Movie Mr. Mom with Micheal Keaton. The little boy loved his blanket which he called his “Woobie” . Fast forward to October 2008 when Chris Schwarz wrote a memorial for his Woobie (link here)The Woobie was then the affectionate name given by many hand tool woodworkers to their tool “rags”. Fast forward again to August 2011 when Chris was introduced to “Super Woobie” by Deneb Puchalski of Lie-Nielsen Toolworks. Deneb had switched from traditional rags to micro-fiber cloths. (link here)
Micro-Fiber cloths are excellent for many uses, the grabby nature of the split micro-fibers cling to dust extremely well (this is also why they feel like they catch on your skin). High quality micro-fiber cloths will absorb a good amount of water so they are good at wiping down blades after sharpening on water stones. But the most popular use for Woobies are those that have been sprayed or soaked in Camellia or Jojoba Oil. These oiled “Tool Woobies” are extremely useful to wipe your steel and cast iron tools after use to remove any salts and perspiration left from your hands in addition to providing a thin layer of oil to protect these surfaces from rust.
The Sterling Tool Works micro-fiber Cloths are high quality cloths that are 16″ X 16″ in size (20-30% largerand and double the weight per square foot = more material and last longer) than the cloths found in retail stores like Walmart, Target etc. The Sterling logo is dyed into the fibers as opposed to a screened logo that would flake off after use and washing. Price for a single cloth is $6 and a pair is $10. Protect your tool investments!
