Hand Tools

Hammers, screwdrivers, pliers — the tools that never need charging.

Head to head

Bolt Extractors

The best bolt extractor sets for rounded and seized bolts

Three bolt extractor sets that bite into stripped, rusted and rounded fasteners — a budget kit, a tight-space set and the pick for most home sheds.

What to look for in hand tools

Buy once, buy decent

Hand tools don't wear out the way power tools do — a good hammer or set of pliers lasts decades. It's the one place where spending a bit more pays off for years.

Handle and grip

A handle that fills your hand and doesn't slip when it's sweaty saves blisters and accidents. Fibreglass and steel handles take more abuse than timber.

The right size

A 16oz claw hammer suits most home jobs; screwdrivers want to match the screw head exactly to avoid chewing it. Wrong-sized tools do more harm than good.

Replaceable blades

On a utility knife, a snap-off or replaceable blade is always sharp and cheap to refresh. A blunt blade slips — that's how people cut themselves.