The Nine Keys You Stop Losing
2,158 owners rate the Bondhus 12591 GorillaGrip fold-up 4.6 stars, and Bondhus names the Minnesota building the steel comes out of. The catch is reach – and the part number.
Hand Tools
The Hammer That Can’t Lose Its Head
Estwing has forged the head and handle of its claw hammer from one piece of steel in Rockford, Illinois since 1923 — so the joint that fails on every other hammer simply is not there.
The Grip That Won’t Walk
The Wilde G253 is a Kansas-forged, angle-nose water-pump plier whose patented Grip Tight Clip keeps the jaw from walking off the nut — made in the USA with a lifetime warranty.
The Pliers That Became a Household Word
Nearly 4,000 owners rate the Channellock 440 tongue-and-groove pliers 4.8 out of 5. Forged in Meadville, Pennsylvania — we verify what is made in the USA and report what owners actually complain about.
Channellock 7-inch XLT End Cutting Pliers Review (357)
Channellock forges the 357 end cutting nipper from American steel in Meadville, Pennsylvania — and says so plainly. 1,333 owners rate it 4.6 stars. We read the complaints, and most of them are aimed at a job the tool was never built to do.
Vaughan 99 Rip Claw Hammer (VN12400) Review
The Vaughan 99 is a 16 oz hickory-handled rip-claw nail hammer, forged in Bushnell, Illinois since 1869 (now a Marshalltown brand). Our independent, verified review and score.
Estwing E3-22P Rock Pick (Pointed Tip) Review
The Estwing E3-22P is a 22 oz one-piece forged rock pick made in Rockford, Illinois. Our independent, verified review and score.
Estwing Rigger’s Axe (E3-R) Review
The Estwing Rigger’s Axe is a 16-inch framing hammer and axe forged from one piece of American steel in Rockford, Illinois. Our independent, verified review and score.