I would say that in the abstract, if this is a skill you want to learn, don't let the specific tool choices get in the way of the education. Give yourself ever

I would say that in the abstract, if this is a skill you want to learn, don't let the specific tool choices get in the way of the education. Give yourself every opportunity for success, by choosing the recommended tools, as you can afford them. A better way to think of good tools is that they get all of the bullshit out of your way so you can work at maximum efficiency. Thus, until you actually learn the skill, trying to impose your own preconceived notions of the right tools for the job is complete guesswork. Once you understand the basic logistics, then you are positioned to judge specific characteristics of your tools, and make educated decisions about which accentuate your craft, and which cause you endless grief to just perform their basic tasks.