Hand tools for workshop, trade and home use: pliers, clamps and vices, wrenches and socket sets, screwdrivers and bits, hand saws, knives and scissors, and cable tools and testers. The range holds over 3,600 products from makers such as GEDORE, KNIPEX, BAHCO and BESSEY.
Both single tools and complete sets are available, so you can replace one worn item or build a kit from scratch.
How to choose hand tools
Tool type and job. Start with the task, not the brand. Combination pliers suit general gripping, long-nose pliers reach into tight spaces, and side cutters are for cutting wire. For fixing and holding work in place, look at clamps and vices, where the opening width and throat depth decide what you can actually hold.
Steel and finish. Most quality spanners, sockets and pliers are drop-forged from chrome vanadium or similar alloy steel and then hardened. Forged tools resist rounding off bolt heads and bending under load better than cheap stamped ones. A chrome or phosphate finish protects against rust in a damp garage or on site.
Insulation and safety. For work near live electrical installations, choose tools marked as insulated to 1000 V (often shown as VDE). The marking matters more than the plastic handle alone. Cable tools and testers in our range cover stripping, crimping and checking circuits.
Sizes and drive. Socket sets are sold with 1/4, 3/8 or 1/2 inch drives. Smaller drives suit light work on electronics and bikes, larger ones suit car and machinery bolts that need more torque. Check that the set includes the metric sizes you use most, and whether you need deep sockets as well.
Sets or single tools. A set saves money and arrives organised, but it may include sizes you never use. Buying individual pliers or screwdrivers from a trusted maker makes sense for tools you use daily. A tool case or box keeps either option tidy and easy to carry.
Hand tool brands we carry
- GEDORE: German manufacturer from Remscheid, known for forged spanners, sockets and ratchets used in professional workshops.
- KNIPEX: German pliers specialist from Wuppertal, known for pliers, cutters and wire strippers, including insulated versions.
- BAHCO: Swedish brand known for hand saws and for the adjustable spanner, which was developed by its founder.
- BESSEY: German maker focused on clamps and vices, with a broad choice of clamp types for woodwork and metalwork.
- WIHA: German screwdriver specialist, known for insulated screwdrivers and bit sets for electricians.
- C.K Tools: British trade tool brand, known for tools aimed at electricians and joiners.
- STANLEY: American brand known for knives, tape measures and general hand tools.
- BOSCH and MAKITA: better known for power tools, they also supply hand tools and accessories that match their systems.
Also in our range: CIMCO, BRÜDER MANNESMANN and DELOCK.
Shoppers will find the largest subcategories under clamps and vices and pliers, followed by cable tools and testers, knives and scissors, wrenches and socket sets, screwdrivers and bits, hand saws, and tool cases and boxes.
Hand tools FAQ
What hand tools belong in a basic toolkit?
A basic kit needs combination pliers, side cutters, an adjustable spanner or a spanner set, a socket set, several screwdrivers and a utility knife. Add a hand saw and a clamp if you do any woodwork. A tool case keeps everything together.
What does VDE mean on a tool?
VDE means the tool has been tested for electrical safety, normally to 1000 V AC. It is found on insulated pliers, screwdrivers and cutters. Use these tools for work on electrical installations, and replace them if the insulation is damaged.
Which clamp should I buy?
Choose the clamp by the maximum opening width and the throat depth you need. F-clamps and screw clamps handle most woodworking and general fixing. Bench vices suit metalwork and filing, where the workpiece must stay rigid.
What drive size do I need for a socket set?
A 3/8 inch drive is the most versatile for general use. A 1/4 inch drive is better for small fasteners, and a 1/2 inch drive for large bolts that need high torque. Many people end up with two of the three sizes.
