The Samurai's tool kit

Here's some stuff that you should have handy. I'll write about how and when most of these things are used in more detail in later posts, but let's start with a simple list of essentials and nice-to-haves.

Essential

Carry these items with you when and wherever you play.

• Teflon tape

• A blade screwdriver with a properly formed blade that fits well and won't damage the screws. (Most need to be ground down somewhat.)

• Several sizes of rubber bands and one or two of one of those "ponytail bands"

• A butane lighter

• Cigarette papers or lint-free wipes (such as Kimwipes)

• A dollar bill

Good to have

Want to be even more prepared? Carry these items too, or at least keep them in your at-home toolkit.

• Saran wrap

• Silly Putty

• Contact cement

• Rubber cement

• Pad slick (described later when I talk about pads)

• Several small sheets of cork of varying thicknesses

• At least one good quality wine cork

• Light oil

• A sheet of 220 sandpaper

• Emery boards

• Razor blade or X-acto knife

Adios for now.