BAAAAAAH! Curses! I had no idea. Does it still work if you keep your magnifying glass and your hammer in a backpack?
Also, "using" the glass and the hammer lets you ID/repair gear of one character from another character, doesn't it? Since the game isn't smart enough to just use the highest party skill...
Seriously, D:OS should borrow a couple things from Drakensang.
This has nothing to do with the game not being smart. This is the oldschool pen and paper RPG feeling that is present in the game. If you play DnD and one guy can pick a lock, that does not mean the entire party can do this.
The entire point of heaving stats, talents, skills and abilities for each character is that each character takes it's own role in the party. One guy can be a good smith while another one is food in bartering.
That's why we call them ROLE playing games ;-)
