Best Hand Tools

[JoeyMitch]

Just want to hear what you guys have to say. I know there's different opinions but let's hear what your favorite is.

 

[Davefr]

Just want to hear what you guys have to say. I know there's different opinions but let's hear what your favorite is.

Globemaster

 

[Gabastone]

My favorite hand tool would have to be a stubby Matco 88 ratchet (BFR58FT). I cannot count how many times that it has saved me.

 

[CatfishXpress]

Hmmm never heard any opinions on this around here

 

[HandyManny]

Pliers - Channellock and Knipex
Adjustable Wrenches - Diamond Calk, older Crescents, modern Irega's
Screw Drivers - older Stanley 100Plus
Hammers - Vaughan and older Hart Tool Co
Combo Wrenches - S-K, Proto, New Britain, older MAC, Duralast, Cman Pro
Pipe wrenches - Ridigid
Sockets - older Cman, S-K, Proto, New Britain, all 6pt
Ratchets - Proto, MAC, Snap-On

I could go on forever, but won't.

 

[SMKS]

Just want to hear what you guys have to say. I know there's different opinions but let's hear what your favorite is.

There are dozens, if not hundreds of threads on this exact topic.

You could have performed a search to read the opinions...

 

[willhollin]

Blackspur or Rolson.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Brand loyalty takes a back seat in my toolbox... I go by the task at hand, and the best tool for each purpose.. I have primarly Proto and SnapOn, Lots of Craftsman, SK, ChannelLock, Etc.. Around fourty different brands the last time I counted.. I make a living with my tools; so they have to hold up...,,, I have my share of cheaper, "occasional use" tools that fill in the gaps where I cannot cost justify the purchase of "spendy" tools...

 

[TDLMOMOWERS]

Pliers, Channel Lock
Sockets and Ratchets, New Britain
Screwdrivers, Craftsman
Wrenches, New Britain
Adjustable wrenches, Sparta
Tapes and rules, Lufkin
Air Tools, Ingersoll Rand

 

[garfunkle24]

IMHO the best brands are Brico, Shopmaster, Power Fist and of course the venerable "CR-V India". YMMV.

 

[Krokodil]

Anything with "chrome vanadium" on them....

 

[jeffmoss26]

Pittsburgh!!! :O

 

[DFW-LSX]

Pittsburgh!!! :O

Haha u beat me to it. I was gonna say Pitt Pro!

 

[Motor-Mechanic]

Blackspur or Rolson.

Yep, quality right there.

 

[Coach James]

You guys are a bunch of ham and eggars. My best tools come from where the pros get theirs.....Big Lots.

Coach

 

[bimmerZ5]

Pittsburgh Pro FTW!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[neonnblack]

i forge my own

 

[Monte]

the free ones

 

[5lima30]

Hammers- Estwing (BIG FAN!)
Levels- Stabilla, Johnson
Screwdrivers-Craftsman Pro
Adjustable-Crescent, Diamond, Klein
Locking pliers-Vise Grips (USA version)
Pliers-Channellock
Ratchets-Craftsman, Blackhawk, SK
Sockets-Craftsman, Williams, Proto
Breaker bars-HF, SK
Chisels-Mayhew older Craftsman
Prybars-Craftsman Pro

 

[jeffmoss26]

Seriously though:
Hammers-Estwing or Vaughan
Screwdrivers-Snap-on
Adjustable-OLD Crescent
Locking pliers-Petersen Vise Grips
Pliers-Channellock, Klein, Snap-on
Punches/Cold Chisels-Enderes, Dasco Pro
Ratchets-Snap-on

 

[garfunkle24]

Hammers- Estwing (BIG FAN!)
Levels- Stabilla, Johnson
Screwdrivers-Craftsman Pro
Adjustable-Crescent, Diamond, Klein
Locking pliers-Vise Grips (USA version)
Pliers-Channellock
Ratchets-Craftsman, Blackhawk, SK
Sockets-Craftsman, Williams, Proto
Breaker bars-HF, SK
Chisels-Mayhew older Craftsman
Prybars-Craftsman Pro

Best? Really?

 

[garfunkle24]

K, here's mine:

Wrenches: Hazet 600N
Ratchets/sockets: Snap-on
Flex impact sockets: Matco/Cman
Punches/chisels: Rennsteig/PB Swiss/SO/Mayhew 150
Screwdrivers: Wera/PB/Felo
Pliers: NWS/Knipex
Locking pliers: Grip-on
Pry-bars: Snap-on/Mayhew
Hammers: Estwing or SO dead-blow BP
Dead-blows: Impact Poly
Adjustable: Irega
Hey-keys: PB Swiss (Bondhus for value)
Torx/Hex sockets: Snap-on golds

 

[RedFordTruck]

Wally-world has got some nice "Ultrasteel" tools these days...


But in all seriousness I have never been disappointed with any pair of Channellock pliers ever. The Chinese Screwdrivers they stick in some of their sets are trash, but their pliers are simply the best. High Quality, USA made, decent prices.

Im a big fan of their '85' Fence pliers. My Home Depot put them on Clearance and I bought all 7 pairs they had for $10 a pair. Same price as Chinese ones, and the Channellock ones blow the Tractor Supply trash out of the water.

 

[5lima30]

Best? Really?

These are the best that I own. BTW, normally not a big fan of HF hand tools but the HF breaker bar is far better than the SK, and Easco that I also have. I bought the HF breaker bar based on reccomendations of members on this boards.

 

[PinkLinc]

You guys forgot DuroLast.

 

[Danglerb]

Some of the best tools post right here on GJ.

 

[SMKS]

Some of the best tools post right here on GJ.

Ha!

Best post by far!

 

[LumpyMusic]

Fisher-Price makes a great orange plastic hammer.


Lumpy

You were the "OPERATION" game voice?
Yes. Take out wrenched ankle.

www.LumpyMusic.com

 

[JoeyMitch]

Thanks guys for the replies. They all sound like my favorites.

 

[betcd]

i am diy'er years ago i would have said craftsman but now i would say for sockets, wrenches and screwdrivers Pittsburgh pro. for pliers channel lock and for hammers eswing

 

[HandyManny]

You guys forgot DuroLast.

Did you mean Duralast? Nope I listed them.

 

[JoeyMitch]

The only thing I like about Duralast is their warranty.

 

[dirtrider]

I love truck tools, but there is something great about getting a quality USA tool at a "value" price and I will take it all while it's still available and made here--

 

[beerdog]

Pittsburgh!!! :O

You shouldn't do that. Someone is going to read this and start buying it up.

 

[AZ_Catskinner]

Wrenches: Proto ASD and Blackhawk
Ratchets: SK
Sockets: SK and Proto
Screwdrivers: Klein and Stanley 100's (Snapon for the ratcheting variety)
Pliers: Klein and Channellock
Adjustables: Proto
Hammers: Jackson and Proto
Punches/Chisels: Proto
Prybars: Klein and Proto

 

[plumber84]

Blackspur or Rolson.

Ha ha! love it will.

 

[mr.speaker]

How come so many people make fun of Chrome Vanadium, but then say the best pliers are Knipex, which has "Chrome Vanadium" Stamped all over it ?

Just curious .

 

[Monte]

How come so many people make fun of Chrome Vanadium, but then say the best pliers are Knipex, which has "Chrome Vanadium" Stamped all over it ?

Just curious .

"chrome vanadium" without a brand name = junk
"chrome vanadium" with a brand name = good


btw. their pliers say "chrom vanadium" without the "e" in "chrome" and "chrom vanadium" always is good because it´s from germany

 

[mr.speaker]

"chrome vanadium" without a brand name = junk
"chrome vanadium" with a brand name = good


btw. their pliers say "chrom vanadium" without the "e" in "chrome" and "chrom vanadium" always is good because it´s from germany

I understand now. Thanks for clearing that up.

Since you're in Germany I have a question, are Knipex pliers considered good over there ? What about Wiha,Wera,etc that people over here rave about ?

 

[gatewaysysop]

K, here's mine:
Hammers: Estwing or SO dead-blow BP
Dead-blows: Impact Poly

Definitely a huge on this. I have full sets of both and they are awesome. Impact Poly Hammers were worth every single penny and I've found nothing that compares remotely with the built quality.