American tools are among the highest quality tools made in the world. They often have better warranties and last much longer than tools made overseas.
What are the Best American Made Hand Tools?
- Roofing Hammer – by Eastwing
- Round Point Shovel – by Bully Tools
- Wire Cutter and Wire Stripper – by Klein Tools
- 21 Buffalo Grain Gloves – by Illinois Glove Company
- Tool Pouch – by Occidental Leather
- Pliers – by Channellock
- Drill Bits – by Drill Hog
- Tape measures – by Stanley
- Folding Knife – by Buck Knives
- Power tools – by Dewalt
- Heavy Duty Blade – by SDS Max Floor Scraper
You will Learn:
- Best American made hand tools
- Best American made power tools
- Best American made wood working tools
- Best brands
- What brands avoid
Lets check them out.
Best Made in USA Hand Tools
Estwing Hammer
It is perhaps the most commonly used hammer in America for both DIYers and pros. When you need to get the job done and need a quality hammer, this bad boy won’t let you down. It won’t break and the claw’s angle is designed to catch the nail the first time, every time. Estwing’s hammers come in a wide variety of sizes and shapes. Estwing Hammers available here on Amazon are known for their wonderful workmanship, durability and reasonable price.
- Solid steel
- Quality material
- Made in USA (Rockford, IL)
- Durable leather handle is comfortable so your hand won’t get fatigued
Bully Tools Round Point Shovel – fiberglass handle
If you are looking for the best American built hand tools it makes sense to check out this Round Point Shovel. It is made by Bully Tools, one of the best hand & garden tool manufacturer in the Steubenville, Ohio.
From their website…
Our in house operations include robotic welding, metal forming & stamping, plasma cutting, heat treating, tempering, injection molding, powder coating, product design, and much more! This not only guarantees the quality, durability and reliability of our products, but our future as well.
Klein Tools Wire Cutter and Wire Stripper
No toolbox is complete without a good pair of Wire Cutter and Wire Stripper. Klein Tools makes their tools in Illinois (along with a few other tool manufacturers). Their tools are high quality, durable, and use precise engineering tolerances to make sure their tools cut the first time, every time.
- Cleanly strips wires the first time
- Quality material
- Made in USA
- Locking feature
Illinois Glove Company 21 Buffalo Grain Gloves
Don’t settle for cheap gloves at Home Depot or Lowes when you are ready to start your outdoor project or are resupplying your tools, supplies. Now that you are a serious adult, you should get yourself a decent pair of leather gloves to save your hands from working outside.
- Extremely durable
- Soft, comfortable and flexible
- Easy to hold shovels, pickaxes or rakes.
- Breathable lining and leather
- Made in Illinois
Occidental Leather Tool Pouch
Leather Pouches: Keeping the tools, pencils, hammers and other tools in good condition and in reach when you need them, instead of placing them on the ground. This is where leather pouches come in handy.
This beautiful tool pouch has 11 pouches to house all the tools you will need for a while. It is extremely durable and well crafted. It is made, here at home, in the USA.
Channellock Pliers
Everyone knows Channellock Pliers are the best pliers you can get. They are rugged and durable and can be passed down to your children once they are old enough for tools. I still have a pair from my dad that is over 40 years old and still works great to this day. They have been in business for over 100 years and their tools will last your family over 100+ more.
- Made in USA (Meadville, Pennsylvania)
- Clamping pliers includes new technology
- Quality steel
- Ergonomic grip and angles
Drill Bits by Drill Hog
Drill Hog Cobalt drill bits are some of the best Made in USA drill bits available. They will also stay durable, sharp for much longer than cheaper drill bits that easily break and become dull. Drill Hog makes their drill bits in Montana where they use precision tolerances and superior processes to make quality drill bits.
Tape measures by Stanley
Stanley’s FATMAX tape measure is one of the best in the industry. It is made in the USA, affordable. Stanley has been making tools in (city) since. They are known for their affordability yet adhearance to quality.
- Reinforced steel tape. Enhances the durability and longevity of the tape. You can extend it further without the tape falling or breaking.
- Protected edges. Protects tape measure when dropped. And you will drop it. Make sure your tape measure is protected.
- Long. 30′ length will measure all you need to measure.
Buck Knives One Hand Operation Folding Knife
Buck Knives has been in business, operating in the USA since 1902. There are many other knife companies out there but none as well known as Buck Knives.
- Easy open design.
- Close effortlessly.
- Durable.
- Quality.
- Daily carry.
Best Made in USA Power Tools
Dewalt Drills
DEWALT 20V MAX Impact Driver and Drill Combo Kit are an excellent necessity to any toolbox and garage. You will need these tools if you live in an apartment or a house or van. There is always a project that requires a drill. Dewalt tools have been made in the USA for decades in Charlottee, NC or one of their 6 other U.S. plants since 1923. The dewalt name, reliability and warranty are top reasons to get a new 20 V drill.
DEWALT Pole Saw, Yellow/Black
Pole saws are often the most overlooked tools that homeowners and renters need. Trees never stop growing and you will eventually need to cut the branches back or else they may fall in your neighbor’s house or car. This electric pole saw is much easier than a manual saw and will save your arms and shoulders from getting quickly warn out if you have a lot of trees to trim.
- 8 in. 20-Volt MAX Electric Cordless Pole Saw
- Extends to an additional 15″
- Quick charge battery
- Easily and safely trim branches
DEWALT DCCS620P1 20V MAX Lithium-Ion XR Brushless Compact 12 in. Cordless Chainsaw Kit (5AH)
- Quick charge
- 20″ bar
- Easily cut a 18″ tree down and into peices.
- Replacement chain (part # 90586162)
SDS Max Floor Scraper, Heavy Duty Blade 2.5 mm
SDS Max makes some of the finest floor scrapers for DIYers and the pros alike. this scraper will take up any tile or vinyl that won’t stubbornly budge for other scrapers.
Best Made in USA Wood Working Tools
Yost LV-4 Home Vise 4-1/2″
This home work shop vice is one of the strongest vices and won’t warp over time like cheaper clamps. Yost Tools makes these superior clamps and other tools in USA.
- Special coating to resist rust
- Made in USA
- Deep throat and opening.
- 240 degree swivel base allows it to freely turn with ease.
Buck Brothers 1201030 3-Piece Professional Wood Chisel Set
Buck Brothers has created the ultimate chisel set. These chisels can be hit hard with hammers for years to come and won’t break, unlike the wood gripped handles of their competitors.
- Acetate handle. The chisels are made with an acetate handle that is extremely hard, durable.
- Dependable. Simply put, these chisels will get the job done, and then some…
- Very affordable
American Hand Tools Brands
While the above list may give the readers a reasonably good idea about the common hand tools that can be brought from local American manufacturers, we often miss this out and buy these tools from other countries…… have earned the respect of millions of Americans over the years
Bully Tools:
Dewalt: They are considered to be one of the biggest manufacturers of different types of hand tools. They have a wide range of products covering power tools, different types of anchors, various tools of hand tools, such as blades, knives, saws, clamps, etc
Stanley: Stanley is a Fortune 500 company that makes some of the finest hand tools and it has been around for decades and has stood the test of time.
Vaughan: This is a company that has been around for 150 years and is credited for being a pioneer in various types of hand tools and other accessories.
Estwing: Started in the year 1923, Estwing is considered by many to be the one stop solution for different types of axes, hammers and other tools.
Armstrong: Founded in 1890 Armstrong has an impressive range of hand tools that are suitable for industrial and domestic uses.
Council Tool: For those who are on the lookout for the best of Hand tools and American Axes, there can be very few who can match up to Council Tool.
Channellock: Another top class American hand tool manufacturer, Channellock has been set up in the year 1886.
Hardcore Hammers: This company has been around for around 15 years and has been able to make its presence quite a bit with some of the best domestic handtools.
Klien Tools: Started in the year 1857, in Chicago, this company makes some of the best hand tools for various uses.
- American Made Drill Bits. …
- Irwin Tools. …
- KnKut. …
- Melin Tool Co. …
- Montana Brand Tools. …
- Norseman Drill and Tool. …
- Triumph Twist Drill. …
- Vix-Bit.
Why Buy American?
While many may talk about nationalism and patriotism, there are many other reasons as to why it makes sense to go in for American hand tools and products.
- The qualities of the products that are made in are much better than China imports. More on this below.
- It does provide our local families jobs which boosts the local economy.
- Environmentally friendly. The concern for environment is much more as far as American hand tools manufacturers are concerned. Hence, if you love your environment and the earth in general, it makes lot of sense to go in for these handmade tools from America.
Quality is Much better
Higher quality. There is no doubt that the quality of American products in general and the domestic hand tools, in particular, are much better. There can hardly be any comparison between the quality of American tools with those of other countries like China, India and a few other countries.
The durability of these hand tools will certainly be much higher when compared to the low priced ones that often flood America from countries like China.
- Chinese companies and even some American companies that have their tools made in China, allow quality corners to be cut, leaving the customer with generally weaker steel tools, electronics that wear out quicker and break faster.
Better Warranty & Guarantee Terms
Whether you buy these hand tools online or from brick and mortar stores, you can be sure that you will be able to get much better guarantee and warranty terms and conditions. You will be able to replace any defective hand tool quite easily because the manufacturers are located within the America and use higher standards than they do in China.
USA companies have to uphold reputations. Locally based USA companies have to create quality tools or they will quickly go out of business. Social Media has made it much easier to air your experiences online and companies don’t want their customers disappointed with their tools. This further reinforces their need to create the highest quality tools available.
Where to buy?
Most of these tools can be purchased from your local hardware store. They are also available on Amazon and these locations.
- Their website
- Home Depot
- Lowes
- Ace Hardware
Tool to Avoid
AMES garden tools are decent if you just need a tool for a single job. I’d you need a quality shovel, look elsewhere. I have had bad experiences with both their shovels and rakes.
Case in point:
- Have broken one in past.
- Online reviews are also not the best
Their shovel broke when i was installing a fence and had to dig 10 post holes. I broke the shovel by the 4th hole and had to buy another shovel.
Their rake was broken when I pulled it out of my shed. It snagged on a 2″x4″ and I tugged it hard which broke the rake brace. If it were quality metal it would not have happened.
Finishing Up
USA made tools are better quality, are made to higher standard s,and will last decades longer than cheap foreign imports. You support the local economy, jobs when you buy these tools. American made tools cause less pollution, less global warming. Many of them are competitively priced.
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