Out West, a novice is a mere tool (3)
I believe the answer is:
awl
'mere tool' is the definition.
'awl' can be an answer for 'tool' (awl is a kind of tool). I am unsure of the 'mere' bit.
'out west a novice' is the wordplay.
'out' indicates an anagram.
'west' becomes 'W' (abbreviation).
'novice' becomes 'l' (as in a learner driver with L-plates on their car).
'w'+'a'='wa'
'wa' anagrammed gives 'aw'.
'aw'+'l'='AWL'
'is a' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for awl that I've seen before include "A boring thing" , "a boring person may need?" , "Using sharp tool" , "Pointed hand-tool" , "Shoemaker's tool" .)