Hand Tool Reviews & Buying Guides

March 23, 2011 0

C.H. Hanson Automatic Locking Pliers Review

C.H. Hanson is a company that’s been around for a while, so we keep an eye out for innovations when their name pops up. This week the company announced they redesigned their locking jaw pliers to work faster and have a better grip. The new model is re-engineered to automatically lock onto your workpiece, without adjusting – regardless of size (provided it fits within the jaws, of course). Hone is the adjustment screw at the handle bottom. Now, a pressure setting screw is located within the mechanism features a Set & Forget method of operation. You just set the optimal clamping pressure (it can be very light to full force), and then the tool’s jaws will adjust on their own to whatever size object you need.

March 16, 2011 0

SOG GSP-21 Green Handle SOGzilla Knife Review

by Matthias Gaige

The SOG GSP-21 Green Handle SOGzilla folding pocket knife has a quality stainless steel blade that won’t lose its edge very easily and it weighs only 4.8oz. While it is a large sized knife with a total open length a little more then 8-1/2 inches long, it managed to keep the weight off by having its widest section be only 3/8 of an inch thick. With its thin profile, it carries very well and discreetly with the bayonet style pocket clip making it perfect for every day carry. At 3.8″ long, the blade is a big-bodied modified sheepsfoot and curves in such a way that as to put the blade and handle in a nice arch shape when open. The SOGzilla is also available with a serrated edge or straight edge, of which we received the straight edge for this review. We actually prefer this style better for its long term use because of how easy it is to resharpen the blade (over the serrated style). While the SOG GSP-21 SOGzilla is a design that might not be for everyone, we found that even given its large size, it makes for a good choice for an everyday carry.

March 8, 2011 0

Benchmade 580 Barrage Osborne Design Knife Review

by Thomas Gaige

The Benchmade 580 Barrage Osborne Design Knife combines lightning-fast assisted-opening, the Axis lock system and a super sharp drop-point style […]

March 1, 2011 0

SOG FSAT-8 Flash II Tanto Straight Edge Knife Review

by Thomas Gaige

The SOG FSAT-8 Flash II Tanto Style Blade Straight Edge pocket knife is not your grandpa’s whittling tool but rather a modern, lightweight, assisted opening knife that combines both form and function. Two of the slickest features of this knife is the S.A.T. or SOG Assisted Technology which almost automatically deploys the blade as soon as you place a little tension on the blade thumb stud. The other is the unique piston locking mechanism that not only positively locks the blade open, but also makes it easy to close. One of the first things we noticed about the SOG FSAT-8 Flash II Tanto is how lightweight it is. The biggest reason for of its nimble weight is that the handle is made of glass-reinforced nylon (GRN) and it does not have any reinforcing metal liners in it. While this might sound like a bad idea, we found that the overall feel of the knife is quite sturdy and actually well balanced.

February 23, 2011 0

Irwin 15 inch Universal Handsaw Review

by Thomas Gaige

The new Irwin 15 inch Universal Handsaw is a departure from the standard hand saw since it can deliver faster cuts with less binding and works with many different kinds of materials. You can use it with PVC, vinyl, laminate flooring, as well as with both hard and soft woods. With a unique, patented tooth grind, this saw does a fine cut finish with a coarse saw cut speed.

February 23, 2011 0

Johnson Level 118000 Picture Perfect Level Review

by Thomas Gaige

So, you just hung something on the wall and you canâ€™t get it quite straight. Chances are that you could probably use the Johnson Level 118000 Picture Perfect Level to get it just right. With this nifty little tool, you can quickly and easily get all your wall hangings perfectly level. This is the tool that, rather than keeping in a tool box out in the garage, should be in a drawer in the kitchen.

February 23, 2011 0

Johnson Level 1707-4800 Glo-View Aluminum Box Level Review

by Thomas Gaige

The new Johnson Level 1707-4800 48-inch long Glo-View Heavy Duty Aluminum Box Level can definitely help you get things straight, even in a dimly lit room, thanks to its glow-in-the-dark level vial surrounds. The other feature of this level – one that is almost better than the glow-in-the-dark feature – is the domed level vial that offers 320 degree visibility. With a oversized aluminum box frame, precision machined edges and faces and large size hand holds, this level is a carpenter’s dream.

February 9, 2011 0

Benchmade 550HG Griptilian AXIS Locking Mechanism Knife Review

by Thomas Gaige

The Benchmade 550HG Griptilian Manual Lock Knife may come across as minimalist pocket knife to some but after spending some quality time with the tool, there are actually numerous features that make this knife a great choice for everyday carry. With an extremely gripable handle (hence its name), high quality hollow ground blade and a super safe, yet easy to use, locking mechanism, the Griptilian is a great performer.

January 31, 2011 0

Wolf Bench Paws Non-Slip Friction Pad Review

by Clint DeBoer

I guess when you’re in Wyoming, big cats tend to be more on your forethoughts than the rest of the country. When Woodworker’s Supply set out to create a product that would hold products in place when being worked on, they used nature and came out with the Wolf Bench Paw. The product is literally made in the shape of a wolf’s paw and includes an elastomer pad that penetrates the polypropylene (plastic) shell to establish a grip that won’t peel off or pull away from the body.

January 1, 2011 0

Jointmaker Pro v2 Manual Table Saw Preview

by Clint DeBoer

This kind of product doesn’t come around all that often: a tool that makes it possible to do manually, something that we only thought really possible with electricity. Want to do some serious craftsmanship by hand for a special project? The new Jointmaker Pro v2 Manual Table Saw by Bridge City Tool Works is your solution. We immediately thought of third world country mission work, but the tool is actually a bit too refined and more suitable for detail and finish work than rough cuts and simply getting boards cut where there’s no power (for that the hand saw will still be your friend).