This section of our online guide focuses on hand tools and hand tool retailers.
Hand tools are essential implements used in various manual operations, ranging from construction and woodworking to metalworking and gardening. Unlike power tools, hand tools are powered solely by human effort.
A hand tool is any tool operated manually without electricity or other power sources. These tools are fundamental in performing tasks such as cutting, shaping, fastening, and measuring. Examples include wrenches, pliers, cutters, hammers, screwdrivers, and saws.
The history of hand tools dates back to the Stone Age when early humans used stones for hammering and cutting. Over time, the development of metallurgy led to the creation of bronze and iron tools, which were sharper and more durable than stone. The Romans further refined tool designs, creating several that resemble modern tools, and the Industrial Revolution marked a significant shift, transitioning tool production from handcrafted to factory-produced.
Hand tools can be categorized by their function and design. Wrenches are used for gripping and turning nuts, bolts, and other fasteners. Types of wrenches include open-end wrenches, box-end wrenches, and adjustable wrenches. Tools with pivoting jaws for gripping, bending, and cutting are known as pliers. Pliers include needle-nosed pliers, slip-joint pliers, and locking pliers.
Cutters are tools designed for cutting materials, including wire cutters, bolt cutters, and tin snips. Cutting tools used for snipping sheet metal and other materials are known as snips. Knives are cutting tools with sharp blades used for carving and slicing. Saws have serrated blades for cutting wood, metal, and other materials. Examples of saws include hand saws, hacksaws, and coping saws.
Striking tools are used for delivering impact. Hammers and mallets are typical examples. Struck or hammered tools, such as chisels and punches, are struck to perform their function. Vises are clamping devices that hold workpieces securely in place, while clamps hold objects tightly together to prevent movement or separation, and drills are used to make holes, including hand drills and brace drills.
Some of the major manufacturers or brands of hand tools are Stanley Black & Decker, Craftsman, Snap-on, Klein Tools, and Wiha Tools.
Stanley Black & Decker was formed in 2010 with the merger of Stanley Works and Black & Decker. Craftsman was originally a house brand established by Sears, although it was acquired by Stanley Black & Decker in 2017. Founded in 1920, Snap-on Tools is an American designer, manufacturer, and marketer of high-end tools and equipment for professional use in the transportation industry. Its products are only available through franchisee dealers who visit their customers' workplaces weekly in vans loaded with items for sale. Founded in 1857, Klein Tools is an American company known for its popularity with workers in the electrical and telecommunications industries, although it now produces more than 5,000 different tools. Wiha Tools is a German manufacturer of hand tools for use in trade and industry.
While there are power tool versions of most hand tools on the market today, hand tools continue to be used. Among the advantages of hand tools over power tools is that they offer greater control and precision, making them ideal for delicate tasks or detailed work. For example, a hand saw allows for more precise cuts than a power saw.
Generally, hand tools are safer than power tools, reducing the risk of accidents related to high-speed blades or motors. They are also more portable and more accessible to carry around. Since they don't require a power source, they are convenient for use in remote locations. They also cost less, require less maintenance, and are quieter than power tools.
Recommended Resources
Specializing in hand tools produced in Germany by Geman manufacturers, the company promises same-day shipping on orders placed before 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time, as long as it is in stock. If the item needs to be ordered from Germany, the turnaround time is within 3-6 business weeks. Its ordering and shipping policies are clarified on the site. Online catalogs may be browsed, and products may be viewed by the brand. Informational videos and contacts are included.
https://www.german-hand-tools.com/
Hand Tool Rescue is a platform dedicated to the restoration of old and unique hand tools dating back to the early 20th century or earlier. On their website, they sell various restored tools and do-it-yourself (DIY) kits, which can be sorted alphabetically, by price, by date, featured, or best-selling products. For each, a photo is provided, along with a description, price, and other details, such as what else may be required for the kits, as well as suggested similar products.
https://www.handtoolrescue.com/
Specializing in Felo, Gedore, Halder, Hazet, Heyco, Knipex, NWS, Picard, Stabilia, Stahlwille, and Wera, all German brands, KC Tool stocks over 10,000 different tools. Based in Olathe, Kansas, its products may be browsed by brand, product category, essentials, seasonal items, new arrivals, staff picks, sales, and clearance items, some of which carry lifetime warranties. Its wholesale and affiliate programs are defined, and an informational blog and contacts are included.
https://www.kctool.com/
In business since 1973, the company provides tools for the industrial, construction, and professional trades. To ensure that each item meets its criteria, vendors are questioned about the sourcing of steel, wood, plastic, labor, and other critical components used in the production process. Its main product categories are metalworking tools, woodworking tools, trade tools, material handling and storage, and facility, safety, and maintenance. Shipping policies are defined.
https://madeinusatools.com/
Maun has been making pliers since 1944. A unique characteristic of its design is that the jaws always move in parallel. Parallel pliers grip better than conventional pliers, make straightening wire easier, and require less force for equal jaw pressure. Maun makes a collection of specialist pliers, each designed to do a particular job. Based in Sutton in Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, England, a product catalog may be downloaded from the site, although its products are also categorized on the site.
https://www.maunindustries.com/
Rob Cosman is a Canadian woodworker known for his expertise in hand-tool woodworking. He designs and makes fine hand tools and provides quality instruction through workshops, videos, and his YouTube channel. He also founded the Purple Heart Project, which offers woodworking training to veterans as a form of therapy. A large selection of woodworking hand tools, including deals and kits, order status and history, return instructions, and warranty policies, is available for purchase online.
https://robcosman.com/
Stanley Tools is a well-known manufacturer of hand tools and storage products for professionals, homeowners, and others who want professional equipment to build, make, repair, and sometimes demolish. Its tools include a full line of hand tools, including tape measures, cutting tools, screwdrivers, hammers, plains, snips, ratchets and sockets, wrenches, clamps, vises, chisels, punches, and files. A project guide and a home improvement buyer's guide are included.
https://www.stanleytools.com/products/hand-tools
Tekton Hand Tools offers various hand tools, including sockets, ratchets, wrenches, screwdrivers, pliers, punches, chisels, clamps, and others, including organizational systems. Its tools are known for their innovative designs and user-friendly features, and many of them are manufactured in Michigan. The company offers a lifetime warranty on its tools, demonstrating their durability and performance. A product catalog is available, and best-sellers are highlighted.
https://www.tekton.com/
