Handwerk: Tools of the German Trade By Byron Schramm, Founder Midtown Chimney Sweeps
A student demonstrates use of a traditional continuous stiff flex-rod (very difficult to master its use).
S
o I’m in Germany on a family sabbatical studying chimney sweeping in Europe, and I’m walking around what might best be described as Ace Hardware for chimney sweeps. Stocked with brushes, rods, and ropes, it has everything you would ever need to sweep and inspect a chimney in any size or condition. I can walk out the door in five minutes with the tool in my hand. No two week wait. No backorder. Star brushes, weighted balls, smoke test pellets, inspection cameras, uniforms,
6
NCSG SWEEPING MAGAZINE
Disclaimer: The facts and statements expressed in this article are based on first-hand interviews between Byron Schramm (an English-speaking individual) and various Germanspeaking individuals and as such may not be wholly reliable due to the language barrier. The statements in this article are not to be taken as precise reliable facts but as general conversational information. Photo copyrights belong to Byron Schramm and may not be used without prior permission.
chimney sweep figurines, schornsteinfeger-shaped cookie cutters, logoed scarves, and key chains. Furthermore, there’s a training center downstairs with weekly classes on tools and equipment and various seminars on things like upcoming government mandates. So how did that make me feel? Like a professional. Like a respected professional. Tools of the trade. They are the indispensable coworker. We depend on them to get the job done. I didn’t realize