The Tools, Are all of these props really required? Options

Okay, I'll be the fool for five.

In all of me 'extensive' research I'v come across several methods of evocation. The Golden Dawn seems to the the most popular.

My question is, whats with all the tools? I mean, sure I know they can help the summoner and all, but do you really need an elemental weapon for every direction as well as a sword and a dagger, in addition to a magick wand, a blasting rod, a rainbow wand, a banishing wand and well, the list goes on.

Maybe it's just me. I'm more of a simple is better kind of guy. I have one dagger. I have one bowel and a small scrying mirror. Not too big into tools, as useful as they can be. My great luxery is a sword (I love my sword! ^_^).

I have yet to do an evocation, I'm working my way up to it very slowly, but the huge amount of stuff that seems to be required (at least in popular use) is a little big baffling to me.

Are they really all required?

Sincerely, an eternal newbie.

Thats true. The SAC would probably be a good place to find someone with the metal working skills. I've found much of the material online and some more in the university library.

I've been thinking about the necesity of tools a little more lately. I'm doing a paper on setting and drama as they relate to mystical expiriences. I would compare a ritual without tools to a play without costumes. Will you understand the play? yes. However you will have a deeper experience and thereby be effected by the performance more if the actors have costumes. Getting into a robe and using your own tools adds to the experience of the event.