Or is there a better way to learn the various tools?
Edit: I have also completed some of the challenges on http://cryptopals.com/ a while back to get better with developing Python code.
https://trailofbits.github.io/ctf/
Cryptopals is great! :) If you've gotten all the way through set 6 and are interested in a first software security gig, get in touch. Those challenges have been a pretty excellent predictor for us.
Or is there a better way to learn the various tools?
Edit: I have also completed some of the challenges on http://cryptopals.com/ a while back to get better with developing Python code.