The 10 Tools Every Man Must Own
We’ve assembled the ultimate arsenal of tools—along with tips for using each one—to help you make the most of your opposable thumbs
By Jeffery Lindenmuth, research by Paul Kita and Kyle Western
The Stake Driver
Armstrong Sledge Head One-Piece Dead Blow Hammer
This steel-reinforced, cast-urethane sledgehammer not only withstands errant blows better than wood-shaft models, but also has a head on its shoulders. The mallet contains several small, heavy metal pellets that rocket forward to the face for added force upon impact. USE IT: To break up ice. Chipping away at stubborn patches of ice on your frozen sidewalk can be difficult with a flimsy shovel. Instead, give the swath a few smacks with this carnival mallet and scoop up the broken chunks. $260, armstrongtools.com
The Nail Driver
Stiletto TBII-15 TiBone Hammer
This titanium framer concentrates its heft in its head—to drive like a hammer twice its weight and slash recoil force tenfold. Bonus: The nail groove is on the hammer’s side, for stable, powerful pulling. USE IT: To hammer like a pro. “Sinking a nail in one blow is all about breathing,” says Eric Stromer, of HGTV’s Over Your Head and NBC’s Top Gear. “The right pattern braces the swing and keeps you on target.” Set the nail with a slight tap, then take in an easy breath and exhale as you strike the nail. $265, store.stilettotools.com
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Craftsman Professional 21-Ounce Replaceable Capped Hammer
A nylon washer behind the head softens impact force. $45, craftsman.com
The Heat Seeker
Black & Decker TLD100 Thermal Leak Detector
This handheld gun lets you hunt down energy sieves using onboard infrared sensors. Just point, pull the trigger, and read the LCD screen. It’s that simple. USE IT: To target breakdowns or leaks. Energy Star claims sealing cracks outside your home can save up to 10 percent on home heating costs. But you can also aim the detector at your car engine to find the cause of misfires, says Scott Pollard, product manager for Black & Decker. “Warm up the car, and point the gun at each cylinder near the spark plug,” says Pollard. “Compare temperatures. A misfiring cylinder will be cooler than the others.” $40, energysaverseries.com
Bonus Tip
Aim the heat seeker at a glass of wine to verify that it’s ready for quaffing: That’s about 55°F for most reds and 45°F for most whites. Then point it inside your fridge to make sure you’re below the 40°F food safety threshold.
The Log Slayer
Stihl MS 280 Chain Saw
Most gas chain saws dump the same mixture of fuel and air into the combustion chamber, no matter how hard you’re hacking, how good your fuel, or how high your altitude. This one continuously adjusts the mixture to balance your power stroke and conserve fuel. USE IT: To let a tree down easy. Dropping timber is a delicate process, says Mark Chisholm, a professional arborist. Begin by carefully trimming the branches from the bottom up, removing as much excess weight as possible from the trunk. “Look out for ‘spring poles,’ or limbs under tension that could snap back, causing a fatal blow; and for ‘widow makers,’ hanging dead limbs that could fall to the ground,” says Chisholm. When you’re ready for the final chop, stand uphill from where the tree will fall; otherwise, it could roll after it lands and crush your leg.
$470, stihlusa.com
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10 Dec 2008, 21:26