always thought "the master's tools" was electoralism— working within the system.

this seems like sleight of hand to me to equate them with the means of production instead. feudalism was supplanted, after all.

I don't see why the state as a means of oppressing the bourgeoisie poses any problem. The state is the tool of oppression we just mean to change it's target. I'm debating it in terms of the state because the means of production by themselves are nobodies tool are just a necessity of life, to produce what is needed for material existence, the manner of their organization that is up for debate, so I think the state and that concern about tools of the master fit better.