The unique cool tools thread, post yours today!

i'm always keeping an eye out for different or unique tools, especially those that aren't made by big corporations, or are purchased via big box stores, but are well built, and serve a specific purpose.

i've ran through the ends of Amazon and the internet trying to find new/different stuff, i figure it's time to ask the hive mind, as i'm sure there's many more that just don't get the publicity they deserve.

to get started, here's a few of my current hidden gems, back stories encouraged.

christy knife company
https://christycompany.net/


this one was a knife i stole from my dad at some point in grade school. it was handed down to him from his dad, which was a freebie from a local hvac supply house that went out of business over 40 years ago. it's a unique design for a nice small pocket knife. they're still hand-built by the family, and still the same quality of that 40-50 year old model.


handee clamp
https://www.handeeclamp.com/


sometimes you just need a little more reach. tite-reach makes a similar product, but this is a specialty product by a small shop that doesn't make anything else.


tite-reach
https://tite-reach.com/



interestingly enough, both tite-reach, and handee-clamp are both iowa-made products.


clamptite
https://clamptitetools.com/


i admit, i don't have a major reason to purchase this, but it's a unique take on fastening or locking round materials together.

chapman manufacturing
https://chapmanmfg.com/


the companies focus is really on critical-tolerance uses, like gunsmithing and machinists. i've got a few other ratcheting hex wrenches, but these bits are more precisely machined, and their version of reversible 1/4" ratchet has been in production since the 1930's.

G.C. Fuller shurelite
https://shurlite.com/


this is one of those obscure companies i found via their amazon sales page after a co-worker showed off their shoot-a-lite that they've had for at least 20 years-- their official website is almost impossible to find otherwise. it's a simple pistol grip torch ignitor that's more fun to use than it ought to be.

 

Ez red ratchet is my go to for alot of things, coupledbwith magnetic bits and sockets, makes work alot easier.

 

The clamptite looks very interesting, I might buy one just to have and see what I use it for.

 

Seen all that stuff before except that knife, interesting.

You rocking one yourself? How safe is it from deploying or resistant from accidentally returning back into the handle?

I carry my automatic everywhere with me but would like something smaller.

 

given my originals history, i carried that knife from about 5th grade into 9th. with the locking mechanism, it almost can't deploy-- the lock is extremely sturdy, and compact enough that it can't be bumped open. as far as returning back into the handle, the knife blade thickness is very similar to that of a standard swiss army knife. it's not a brute force kind of knife. more for opening letters/boxes, whittling, etc. 'grandfather knife', kind of things...

it's probably the main reason that i'm happy to own it, but don't use it very often--i'm far too hard on most of my knives. my weekday edc is a leatherman c304, and my weekender is currently one of the new hf icon knives.

 

No shit, HF has knives huh?

Ok, won't deviate further

Definitely a cool thread idea

 

I've used it for bicycle hubs, but definitely other applications. Blind bearing puller, fits I.D. from 8-32mm.

I bought this after fighting a destroyed bearing in a old BMX hub. Really wanted to save the hub, so spent a few hours slowly grinding it out. I've only needed it a few times since, but it's a huge timesaver.

And satisfying to pull the bearing out in one piece.

https://cycling.endurobearings.com/products/bbt-222-stainless-pro-blind-hole-puller-mallet-set