Awesome Tools

The slim CC1 wallet is made from genuine Saffiano leather. In addition to holding up to 8 cards and ten folded bills, it packs a titanium multitool with a bottle opener, mini screwdrivers, a 1/4″ driver, wrenches, a pry bar, a nail puller, and a box opener. It also includes a skinny tool that serves as a toothpick, SIM card remover, and needle.

Maker Giaco Whatever has spent four years engineering what he hopes is the world’s best handheld flashlight. The Darkfade has an “invisible” motion-sensing brightness control and an ergonomic shape that sits naturally in the hand while angling the beam just right. Its Samsung LED punches out light from behind 200 micro-lenses.

It’s possible to make saw blades out of materials other than metal. GazR’s Extreme Brick Machines not only built a saw blade out of LEGO Technic parts, but an entire working table saw. It uses 14 motors to cut through objects and is definitely not something you’d want to stick your finger into. Here it is using a skinnier blade.

This premium pocket multitool from EDC maker Lautie comes in titanium, copper, and zirconium versions, each with a stainless steel tip. Its tools include a bottle opener, box cutter, pry bar, and a 1/4″ hex bit driver, set into a keychain-compatible wedge shape inspired by the head of a crane bird.

These 24″ long log grabbers are designed specifically for smokeless fire pits. They’re made from high-strength carbon steel with a heat-resistant powder-coat finish. Their 135º pincers have claw-like tips that grab securely into wood, while molded grips keep your hands from touching the hot metal. Made in the USA.

Ant Design’s pocket-sized multitool combines a pry bar, a nail file, a bottle opener, horizontal and vertical bit drivers, and a short ruler in one. It has a hidden compartment inside which holds a single screwdriver bit, as well as a removable pocket clip. Choose from CNC machined brass or titanium versions.

This gadget plugs into the bottom of your iPhone or iPad’s lightning port to capture thermal images. It’s designed primarily for construction and inspection tasks but could also be used for science experiments. Its 10800-pixel sensor is accurate to 0.1ºF and can measure temperatures from -40ºF to 752ºF (-20ºC to 400ºC).

This steel and aluminum shovel collapses down to 24″ x 11″ x 2.75″, and opens up to support up to 1000 pounds. It adjusts between 24″, 37″, 51″ length and its spade-style blade digs through the toughest dirt. At 6 lb. 5 oz. it’s pretty light, but if you’re looking to minimize pack weight, check out DMOS’ all-aluminum Delta Pro.

This high-end metric ruler features a caliper design with a sliding pointer and a lock wheel. Its center is decorated with a tactile brass grille which provides grip when sliding. Thanks to its durable titanium construction, its caliper can also be used as an open-ended wrench.

A lightweight, skeletonized knife from Belnap Custom Knives. The expert blade maker has been making a custom version of this ulu-style knife that sells for $175 and is ramping up for a more affordable production model. Each is made from D2 tool steel and comes with a fitted Kydex sheath. View a 3D model of the knife here.

This mid-sized pry tool offers greater leverage than pocket-sized pry bars, but at 10″ long, it’s still small enough to toss in a backpack. It includes a sharp cutting and prying blade, ripper hook, multi-wrench, and nail puller, all set into a full tang stainless steel bar with 6″ textured handles for maximum grip.

The Hacksmith spent more than the cost of Tesla Model S to make the world’s largest Thor’s hammer. His team fabricated the enormous Mjolnir by painstakingly welding numerous sheets of steel. It measures more than 15 feet tall when standing on its head. Watching it get dipped into the galvanizing tanks was amazing.

Inspired by the antique fractal jaw vise that Hand Tool Rescue restored, Teaching Tech created a 3D-printed version of the fascinating workbench tool. Like the original, it can hold irregularly-shaped objects with its rotating grippers. Grab the STL files to print your own at Thingiverse, or play with the CAD file at OnShape.

Despite being just 2.7″ long, this pocket-size flashlight manages to crank out an impressive 1500 lumens in its maximum power mode. It has a CREE XHP50 LED light source, Firefly, Turbo, Strobe, and stepless dimming modes, and recharges via a USB cable. Available in neutral white or cool white LED color temperatures.

A drill press is a large piece of workshop equipment mounted to a heavy base to provide a steady work surface for drilling through objects. Hands on Table thought it might be fun to make a miniature replica of a drill press and did an outstanding job building the tiny, working tool from scrap metal and some old motorcycle parts.

Removing an old, rusty, or damaged screw can be a massive pain. Crescent Tools aims to solve that problem these special drivers, designed to be struck with a hammer to dig into the heads of stuck screws, improving grip and the likelihood you can extract them properly. The 2pc. set includes 1/4″ flat and #2 Phillips drivers.

Keep your fishing gear organized with this patented tool holder from Bits Mfg Co. It attaches to rocket-style fishing rod holders and is perfect for holding needle nose pliers for extracting hooks and small scissors for cutting line. Pairs perfectly with Bubba shears (not included.)

The Q typically spends his time building things that aren’t particularly useful. But this time out, he came up with a design for a saw that can cut through tree limbs twice as fast as usual. The saw uses a pair of blades and a spring to clamp down against the wood to double cutting speed.

This enhanced version of ATECH’s multi pen has nine functions instead of seven. In addition to a ballpoint pen and stylus, it has flathead and Phillips screwdrivers, a nail file, a metric/imperial ruler, a bubble level, a bottle opener, and a box cutter. It’s made from a durable mix of metals and is TSA-compliant.

This multi-purpose bladed tool provides two main functions. It works as a five-blade retractable utility knife for opening packages and scoring drywall, but can also hold blades sideways for scraping stickers and adhesives off of glass, tile, or mirrors. It also has a paint can opener at its rear.

Hammers typically have a solid metal or wood handle and a solid metal head. But this unique hand tool by Hassan Abu-Izmero (with the help of his trainee Damian) conceals that structure under dozens of stainless steel washers welded together. The washers appear to be purely aesthetic, but they sure look cool.

Musician Grégoire Blanc busted out his musical saw and bow to perform a cover version of the song Hawaiian Theremin from the SpongeBob SquarePants episode Love That Squid. It sounds just right played on the saw, but it’s ironic that Grégoire actually knows how to play the theremin.

This unique multitool features a design reminiscent of a shark’s profile. It combines a pry bar with a bottle opener, box cutter, and bit driver. It’s made from TC4 titanium alloy, and its handle has a shiny blue finish. Rubber O-rings keep the driver bit securely in place when not in use.