Working on an instrument as iconic as the violin presents an interesting challenge for violin makers. Some of the greatest works of the Cremonese masters are still with us. These precious few instruments are our inspiration. Their sound is remarkable, and their craftsmanship, which can at times seem astonishing, always reminds us that there was a hand behind the creation. From certain angles, the shapes look almost organic, as if they had grown into being, and the varnish is literally the stuff of legends. For a modern violin maker, striving for the qualities of these models is what drives us forward.

Here are some of the tools available for today's instrument makers.