Some do, but some don't, and I can't tell if that's because you don't the skill, or because there's no blurb attached to it. Because I have never accessed many tools, it could be because I don't have the relevant skill, too. Whatever the case, I think it would good to see what a tool did, even if you do not the skill. Adding that to the assess you get when viewing it in a store would be good too.
You assess a stone rasp...
...it is primarily made of stone.
...looks useful for smoothing or polishing.
...appears to be of decent quality.
If it doesn't say "looks useful for", then as a tool it doesn't count as a "smoothing or polishing" WHEN REQUIRED FOR THE RECIPE.
You assess a pair of etched bone scissors...
...it is primarily made of bone.
...might be used for fabricworking.
...appears to be of above average quality.
If it says "might be used for", it will give a bonus to the named skill, but is not a tool when the recipe requires one.
If it doesn't have these lines, its a RP-tool. I agree, it could be re-worked a little to be more obvious.