Handyman Essentials: The Must-Have Tools Every Man Should Own

Even if the extent of your handyman skills boil down to simply tightening some screws or hammering a few nails, you still need some tools to get the job done right. And, if you’re like us, those tools will end up being less an end all be all and more like a gateway to acquiring more fixer skills.

But where does one begin in the vast world of tools, you might ask? Well, we have an answer: right here. While the Home Depots and Lowe’s of the world can seem vast and increasingly intimidating, we’ve gone to great lengths to put together the following collection of what we believe are the 40 tools that every man should own. From hammers, to chisels, to chainsaws, and more, these are the devices both great and small no toolbox should be without.

Because basic hand and power tools take so many different shapes and forms across so many different product types, it can admittedly be a little tricky knowing what to look for when shopping for general tools and DIY essentials. Fortunately, there are a handful of factors that should almost always be considered across the board no matter what type of tool you’re shopping for — the most crucial of which we’ll be breaking down directly below. 

Material: The material or materials that any tool is made from will play a monumental role in the item’s overall quality, durability, and longevity. As such, you’ll want to play close attention to the construction that comprises any tool that you’re considering purchasing. This includes a tool’s primary construction — or it’s housing’s construction — along with any secondary constructions such as the material used to craft the tool’s handle or grip. 

Construction Technique: It’s not only the material used that matters when crafting tools, but also the manner in which that material has been created or pieced together, as some techniques and methods for making tools result in markedly stronger and more robust overall products compared to others — making this another pivotal area to consider when shopping. 

Ergonomics & Grip: A tool’s ergonomics and grip also play a major role in how it performs, as these areas can profoundly affect qualities such as comfort, leverage, traction, and overall grip — making this yet another crucial area to consider when shopping for tool essentials. 

Versatility: Another area that should undoubtedly be taken into account is versatility, as certain tools will obviously lend themselves to far more uses and applications than others — such as a wood saw versus a screw-driver set, the latter of which will almost certainly get markedly more frequent use compared to the saw. As such, you’ll want think about a tool’s potential uses and applications when shopping, along with its overall level of versatility. 

Power & Voltage: While this factor only applies to electronic and power tools, anytime that you’re buying or electric drill, skill saw, or any other powered tool, you’ll want to review said tool’s power and voltage, as these specs play a major role in how the item will perform and how strong it will be. Furthermore, you’ll also want to think about any power tool’s power source, whether it plugs into an outlet or is cordless and uses a rechargeable wireless battery. Additionally, we also recommend reviewing the prices of spare batteries when shopping for tools, as having a few spare for any power tool is almost always essential, and power tool batteries can pretty hugely vary in price from company to company and model to model.

Price: Not all tools are created equal — something that’s typically reflected in their price. The reality is that, while you can typically get away with using low-to-mid-tier tools and equipment, you tend to get what you pay for, with more expensive tools boasting better craftsmanship, better materials, better longevity, and better overall performance. There are, however, certain spaces within the larger tool sector where you can usually get away with picking up a more budget-focused item such as when buying a hammer or driver set. Items such as power tools, ratchets, and wrench sets with moving parts, however, are a different story, and we would always advice not skimping when buying these types of tools. 

Storage & Organization: It’s not only the actual tool or tools that you should be considering when shopping, but also how and where you’ll be organizing and storing said tools. As a result, you’ll want to consider factors such as whether or not you own a tool chest, cork board, or other standard storage and organizational systems for tools. Likewise, we also recommending looking into whether or not any hand tool or power tool comes with any included carry bag or storage case and organizer, as these included items will obviously make storage and organization markedly easier. 

Manufacturer: Just like with automobile manufacturers or motorcycle gear brands, the companies that operate in the hand tool and power tool spaces tend to be fairly consistent in terms of the level of quality they deliver with their products. So, while it sometimes does require paying a premium, we recommend purchasing tools from well-known, well-trusted, and well-established brands as this will typically ensure a higher level of quality and performance. 

Warranty: It can often be difficult to get a sense of how long a tool will last. As such, warranties — especially of the lifetime variety — can be a fantastic way to get a better sense of how long a tool will last. Having said that, it is important to actually review the warranty, as not all warranties cover all parts of all tools. 

Milwaukee Fastback Utility Knife

Best Utility Knife: Just as we believe everyone should carry a pocket knife with them daily, we believe a utility knife should be present in every single tool box. For any and all cutting tasks, this tool simply cannot be done without. This one also features a neat gut hook for quick cuts when the blade isn’t even open – similar to emergency blades that first-responders use to cut seatbelts.

TEKTON Hex Key Wrench Set

Best Allen/Hex Key Set: As huge proponents of everyday carry, we can tell your first-hand that hex bots are all over the place when it comes to pocketable gear. If you have any hope of performing maintenance on your EDC, you’re definitely going to need a set of hex wrenches. Otherwise, you’ll have to replace your pocket knife every time the pivot gets too stiff, and that can get expensive fast.

Husky Multi-Purpose File Set

Best File Set: What a set of chisels and/or sandpaper is to woodworking, a metal file is to metalworking. Whether you need to smoothen some sharp angles or clean up a botched soldering job, you can make it happen with this metal file. It’s also a great starting tool sharpener if you don’t have a better option.

STANLEY MaxSteel Adjustable Wrench

Best Adjustable Wrench: A wrench set is a really great thing to have, but if you are tight on space or just want something a little more versatile, there’s the adjustable spanner. Like an entire wrench kit in one tool, this is a super speedy and convenient device to keep in your tool box for all types of work, especially if you’re plumbing or doing something mechanic-related.

Craftsman Hand Saw

Best Hand Saw: Made by a trusted American brand, this age-old tool is an absolute necessity when it comes to woodworking. And it’s a good deal cheaper than, say, a chainsaw. Sure, it’s not as quick, but it’s incredibly reliable. In fact, this particular Craftsman saw is a universal design that affords it stellar versatility, plus its soft rubberized grip makes for an exceptionally comfortable hand tool.

Irwin Vise-Grip Locking Pliers

Best Locking Pliers: The grip strength of even the strongest man is finite. The grip strength of this pair of locking pliers is practically infinite. It also keeps your hand out of the way of danger if, say, you use it for metalworking (like welding). Lock it up and forget about it; they won’t let you down.

Vaughan Superbar Crowbar

Best Crowbar: Whether you’re just trying to pry off old crown molding or you need to wrench a door open, a crowbar is an indispensable device. And this one from Vaughan is the best of the best. Made from tempered steel and featuring a total of three different nail slots, this is the ultimate pry bar.

Irwin Quick-Grip Bar Clamps

Best Bar Clamps: Think of these bar clamps light lightweight and portable bench vises. And they’re practically as helpful – especially if you’re waiting for wood glue or a bonding agent to set. These ones also feature soft pads that won’t leave marks on whatever you’re clamping and can distribute up to 150-pounds of force evenly.

STANLEY FATMAX Simulated Diamond Tip Screwdriver Set

Best Screwdriver Set: Second only to perhaps the hammer, a screwdriver is an absolute must have for any tool box. You can’t even put together IKEA furniture without these handy tools. And Stanley makes some of the absolute best. This set comes with both Phillips and flathead, features handy magnetic tips, and has comfortable rubberized grips.

Swanson Tool Magnetic Torpedo Level

Best Level: Good luck hanging anything on your walls that isn’t crooked if you don’t have a level. Seriously, it’s practically impossible. And while this one will definitely make sure your Mondrian is parallel to both the ground and ceiling, it’s also an excellent tool for plumbing and anything else that requires precision leveling.

Neiko Digital Caliper

Best Digital Caliper: We’re sure you’ve heard the common phrase, “measure twice cut once.” Well, that becomes even more important the smaller the work gets. make sure everything you measure is exact down to the millimeter with these stainless steel digital calipers.

Tajima Chalk-Rite Chalk Line

Best Chalk Line: Great for hanging drywall, the chalk line is a must-have contractor’s tool. Its biggest benefit is almost certainly its speed and convenience. Have one person draw lines by hand and have another throw down a grid with a chalk line and you’ll see it’s much quicker.

Bostitch Staple Gun

Best Staple Gun: Even if you just use it to put up Christmas lights, like Chevy Chase in the smash hit movie Christmas Vacation, a staple gun is still a wonderful thing to have. It’s also really great for hanging wiring between walls or mounting insulation..

Klein Tools Hack Saw

Best Hack Saw: A wood saw is great for cutting wood, but forget about shortening pipe if that’s all you’ve got. For anything that did’t come from a tree, you’ll want to keep a hacksaw handy. This hand-adjustable model boasts saw blade tension of up to 30,000 PSI, an aluminum handle, an option for alternative 45° mounting, and onboard blade storage. 

Ridgid Straight Pipe Wrench

Best Pipe Wrench: Making seams between pipes water tight takes a lot of torque. It takes the same amount to loosen them up again. And since a regular wrench probably isn’t up to task, we suggest you pick up this heavy duty straight pipe wrench from Ridgid. And not that you’d need to use it for such a task, but it also works as a handy self-defense weapon in a pinch.

Estwing Curve Claw Hammer

Best Hammer: A hammer might be the most essential handyman tool there is, so it should come as no surprise that it’s on our list. The claw hammer has an extra benefit of being able to extract, as well as drive nails. This one is also made in the USA, so that’s an added bonus.

LEXIVON Digital Laser Tape Measure

Best Tape Measure: Just about any kind of handyman task you can think of is going to require some measure of… measuring. Make sure you’re always getting an accurate gauge of distance with a tape measure. In addition to a standard tape measure, this model also features a laser-range finder/digital measuring tape and an LCD display screen.

DeWalt Socket Wrench Set

Best Socket Wrench Set: We are firm believers that every man should know how to change his own oil, even if you don’t actually complete the task on your own each time. And while we’re sure you could find a way to MacGyver the drain plug off your oil tank, you’ll find the job a lot easier with a socket wrench. And that’s just one of the hundreds of things this set is useful for.

Franklin Sensors Prosensor 710 Stud Finder

Best Stud Finder: Drywall can be surprisingly sturdy when hanging up photos and the like. But if you want to hang something a bit more precious and heavy – like an electric guitar – you’ll want a stud finder like the gadget seen here to make sure you’re anchoring your hanger properly. Unless you’d prefer your guitar to go from being a playable instrument to something more akin to modern art, that is.

DeWalt 20V MAX Cordless Drill & Impact Driver Combo

Best Cordless Drill/Driver: Unbelievably helpful when it comes to constructing furniture (yes, even from IKEA), mounting things on your walls, performing maintenance on your car, and a bevy of other things, a cordless driver and impact drivers are must-have power tools for use around the house and garage, and this conveniently bundled set features a pair of rechargeable 20V items with swappable batteries and an included carrying case. 

Yost Bench Vise

Best Vice: If you’re trying to do precision work to a small piece of, say, a car engine, then a bench vise is going to be your best friend. It’ll hold whatever you’re working on tight and secure. Forged from steel, it also happens to be great for holding things together while the glue between them dries – freeing up you to get started on other work.

Dremel 7700 Kit

Best Rotary Tool: Perfect for a number of precision tasks, a rotary tool is a wholly underrated device. It can be used to polish metal, sand complex woodwork, precision cut metal, engrave, and much more. This is one of those tools where we see it far too infrequently in the toolboxes of our friends and coworkers.

Milwaukee 15-Amp SUPER SAWZALL

Best Power Saw: While you do have the option of acquiring a handful of different speciality saws made for eating through different materials, it’s almost certainly easier to simply opt for potent powered cutting tool like the Milwaukee 15-Amp SUPER SAWZALL. This aptly-named tool is quite literally capable of sawing through most materials and constructions, plus is sold with an included carrying case and half-decade-long warranty. 

Leatherman ARC

Best Multi-Tool: Even if you have every other tool on this list, we still suggest picking up a multi-tool, like Leatherman’s all-new ARC. Cramming a whopping 20 tools and functions into a compact package, the ARC features regular and needle-nose pliers, a diamond-coated file, multiple bit drivers, a pry tool, scissors, can and bottle openers, and the first-ever main Leatherman blade to be forged in Crucible Industries’ revolutionary CPM MagnaCut. 

Little Giant Velocity Ladder

Best Ladder: You could have all the necessary tools in the world to make a repair on your ceiling or roof, but if you don’t have a ladder, you might be out of luck. Skip out on creating a tilting tower with whatever you have in your house and opt instead for this versatile, highly-modular, and super stable multi-purpose ladder.

The Essential Tools Every DIY Mechanic Should Own

Looking to further expand your collection of tools? Then be sure to check out our guide to the essential DIY mechanic tools for a curated list of hand tools, power tools, and accessories for wrenching on cars and bikes.