It is fascinating to see what tradespeople fabricate for themselves to make their jobs easier. And for every Studley Tool Chest, there are probably thousands of unseen objects like in languishing in attics and basements.

Tested's Adam Savage collects 19th- and 20th-century linesman's tools. This month he acquired a rare find: A handmade custom tool bag used by a 20th-century linesman. Purpose-built, this humble-looking bag is utilitarian design at its finest.

The variety of materials used to make it suggests a careful attention to detail, function and manufacturability. The structure of the bag is leather, and the handle is attached by copper rivets, the insides of which have been well-flattened, even the ones near the bottom of the bag; its maker knew enough to take care of this before attaching the bag's bottom, which is made out of wood, by the way. (I'm guessing because the racetrack shape of the bottom is easy to make out of wood, and easy to replace if worn out.)

The tool-organizing insert is made out of aluminum, presumably selected for its light weight; remember that a linesman would be scaling a pole with this slung over his shoulder. A second dogleg-shaped tool organizer, placed on the outside/non-body-interfacing edge of the bag, is made out of brass; this was obviously chosen for its easy workability. You can clearly see that the cutouts have been made by drilling holes, then using a file to connect them.

"Whoever had this spent a lot of time making it right," Savage enthuses. "This was lovingly constructed by someone who was more than a passing enthusiast with leather, less than a master craftsman." Savage points out that he's not casting aspersions, but rather highlighting the dedication of the maker, who did his best to perfect something he would use every day.

Here's the video of Savage going over every detail of the tool bag. If you want to skip the preamble and get straight to the bag, jump to 5:20 in the video.

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If I was a billionaire, I'd open up a museum filled with objects like this. Admission for ID students would be free.