Some gifts are quickly shoved to the back of a closet or a drawer, never to be seen again. But tools, although not glamorous, come in handy over and over again. Nowadays their appearance is so stylish that no one would object to receiving them. Many tools are also ergonomically designed so that they are more comfortable and easier to use.
The idea that tools are just for men is passe. Women now have the will and the ability to be involved in home improvement. More retired people are becoming do-it-yourselfers too. If male and female adults are doing it, boys and girls will want to take on projects too, so cool tools are also being made for small hands. Here are a few ideas:
– The Pivot Driver from Black & Decker is a screwdriver with attitude. It can be used like a conventional screwdriver, but at the press of a forward/reverse button, this battery-powered tool will rotate and drive screws–or remove them–without any effort or twist of the wrist. The driver also can do the unexpected when the user has to work in a hard-to-reach place such as inside cabinets or behind sinks. With the press of another button it can change shape, so that rather than being straight, it bends into what is known as a “pistol-grip” position. The textured handle won’t slip in the palm of the hand. And it comes with a driving bit that has a slotted end and a Phillips end, a rechargeable battery and a charger. Price: $35.99. The Pivot Driver is available at Home Depot, Wal-Mart, Kmart and Target stores. Web address: www.blackanddecker.com. Phone: 800-544-6986.
– SOG’s PowerLock folding tool, only 4 1/2 inches long, is full of surprises. It can be opened with a flick of the wrist to reveal a treasure-trove of more than a dozen tools, many with special gears that add power. Among them are pliers, a serrated blade, screwdrivers, a quarter-inch drive and a pair of extra-sharp scissors with spring tension. Each tool can be folded out separately, then comfortable pivotable handles can be locked into place. The PowerLock is available in stainless steel or in a gold-colored hard finish. Both include a black leather pouch. Price: $79.95 for the stainless steel tool, $109.95 for the gold finish. The PowerLock is available at True Value and Home Depot stores. Web address: www.sogknives.com. Phone: 888-405-6433.
– Kids can have their own scaled-down tools. The line of Tim Allen Signature Stuff includes a red plastic truck that opens up to reveal four screwdrivers, a pair of pliers and an adjustable wrench all with bright red handles that are soft to the touch. The kit also has a red level and a tape measure. Parents have to supply the screws and nails, but there is a compartment to store them. Price: $24.99. Tim’s Truckload of Tools is available at Ace Hardware Stores and Target. Phone: 888-862-5536.
