Awesome Tools

This razor-sharp axe measures just 4.5″ long, so it’s small enough to carry in your pocket. Each one is handmade by UK outfitter Silver Fox Tools from BS 4659 high-carbon steel, known for its strength and edge retention. Use it for cutting, carving, branch splitting, and even beard trimming. Includes a hand-stitched leather sheath with a brass snap.

This keychain-friendly flashlight from Lumikey features a bright, dual-beam head that can output up to 900 lumens. Its entire body glows in the dark after exposure to sunlight or UV light, and it has a magnet built into its tail for easy attachment. In addition to five brightness modes, its side light has UV, red, red flash, and red/blue flash modes.

This versatile measuring gadget is great for anyone who needs to cut wood or other stock. It combines a square and protractor and has templates for dovetail joints, circular holes, parallel lines, drill positioning, and a variety of common miter angle markings. It’s made from aluminum alloy and has easy-to-read markings.

The Free K2 incorporates a 3.3″ 420HC steel blade with seven additional tools. The multipurpose EDC has a pry tool, multiple flat drivers, a Phillips driver, a bottle opener, a package opener, and an awl that can be deployed from its aluminum body. Each tool is designed for one-handed access, and its blade locks magnetically.

Never be caught without the proper drill bit or screwdriver again. KingTool’s comprehensive steel bit set comes with 318 pieces in an organizer case. It includes wood, masonry, plastic, and metal drill bits, along with paddle bits, nut drivers, and driver bits in Phillips, slotted, square, Torx, Posilock, and hex shapes.

This lightweight tool is the perfect utensil for dining while in the great outdoors. The folding, stainless steel gadget incorporates a fork, spoon, bottle opener, can opener, a dull serrated edge, and a flat head screwdriver in one. Measures 4.5″ long closed and 7.75″ long opened.

Eiger Tools’ wallet-size caliper is thinner than most credit cards and can easily measure an object’s inside or outside diameter. It’s ideal for measuring nuts, bolts, and pipes and can also measure curved surfaces up to 10 cm in circumference. The card is machined from stainless steel and includes a brass carrying case to protect its sharp edges.

You don’t need a motorcycle to get value from Odinsberg’s tool roll. It has 56 elastic loops for organizing hand tools and accessories and a zippered compartment for loose items. Rolled up, it measures just 9.5″ x 5.5″, and opens to 21″ x 9.5″. A hanging hook and MOLLE webbing provide mounting versatility. (Tools not included.)

This carabiner-style keychain not only keeps your keys accessible but has several useful tools built in. On its body, you’ll find a slotted and Phillips screwdrivers, a bicycle spoke wrench, a metric multi-wrench, a bit holder, and a bottle opener. Made from durable, lightweight titanium.

The makers of the Hammer Fist claim the compact multitool can drive nails, despite being about the size of a set of brass knuckles. LRN2DIY put the tool to the test to see if it works as well as they say. The big difference between the Hammer Fist and a conventional hammer is that it relies more on your strength than the kinetic energy of a swinging handle.

ThruNite’s palm-sized flashlight kicks out up to 693 lumens in its top setting and looks great in its army green aluminum alloy case. It offers five brightness modes and a strobe mode, and runs on a rechargeable 16340 battery. It also has a two-way clip, and a magnetic tail cap so you can stick it to steel surfaces.

At best, a dull knife is inefficient, and at worst, it doesn’t work at all. Work Sharp sells a line of great sharpening tools, from a classic bench stone to a precision, powered sharpener that can put a new edge on knives, scissors, and even an axe head with the push of a button. Everyday Carry has a roundup of Work Sharp’s best models.

This elegant and well-made Japanese knife features a razor-sharp 3.9″ VG-10 steel blade, set into a handle made from titanium with carbon fiber details. The frame lock design ensures the blade stays open but closes quickly with one hand. Measures 9″ open, 5″ closed.

This pocket tool combines a 2.625″ Tanto blade with spring-loaded scissors. The scissors are more useful than those on other pocket tools thanks to their larger size, along with their micro-serrated edge. The knife features a fine-edge sandblasted blade, a liner lock, and deploys with one hand from its anodized aluminum handle.

This versatile mini tool kit packs dozens of precision bits inside of its tubular case. Its steel bits are held in using magnets, and its aluminum-handled screwdriver handle stows in the center of the case. Driver bits include Phillips, flathead, hex, Torx, tri-point, triangle, pentalobe, spanner, and square.

These anodized aluminum trays are designed for holding screws, springs, keycaps, and other mechanical keyboard parts, but they’re great for any project where you’re dealing with small parts. They come in square or circular versions and measure 7cm (~2.75″) across.

This bright keychain flashlight packs a 120-lumen Osram LED with a 50000-hour lifespan. It’s IPX8 waterproof, and has an anodized aluminum case with a grippy handle and a knurled head that doubles as its mode switch. It also includes a diffuser cap. In addition to black, it comes in ocean blue and metallic pink variants.

Jarl AB’s clip-on holster provides easy access to up to 15 hex bits and packs a powerful magnet that can grab onto hardware and other metal items. A stiff pocket clip ensures it won’t pop off of your belt or tool pouch. UK-based TF Tools offers worldwide shipping.

Gerber’s versatile Dual-Force multitool offers a dozen useful functions including a 3.25″ knife, a saw, wire cutter, wire stripper, and more. But its real highlights are its center-axis bit driver and a pair of pliers with a two-size slip joint jaw. Plus, its layered construction is designed to provide double the jaw strength of typical multitools.

“What happens when you try to cut a saw blade with a saw blade?” The Hydraulic Press Channel rigged up a pair of angle grinders with circular saw blades, then pushed them into each other while spinning to see how they would hold up. Under no circumstance should you try anything like this at home.

You can run down to the Home Depot and pick up a tool that uses gunpowder or compressed air to drive nails. I Did a Thing tried his hand at building his own explosive-powered nail gun, but his looks like a hammer, plus, it’s much more dangerous than off-the shelf tools. Kids, don’t dance barefoot on your lathe.

This pocket-sized screwdriver features a bolt-action mechanism like those on pens. Its double-sided mechanism provides space for two 1/4″ hex bits and includes a swappable knob for added torque. Attach a 1/4″ hex key and socket adapter, and it turns into a socket wrench. Available in stainless steel or titanium.