Hooks and picks are great for cleaning, removing, and manipulating small parts, and many times these are the only tools that can get the job done properly. These Ullman picks and hooks may be small, but they are sharp, strong, and durable.

I’ve used this set to separate wires, remove O-rings and gaskets, toggle hard to reach micro-switches, clean/scrape grooves, retrieve small parts, clear swarf from a drill bit, and accidentally give myself new scars.

Buy Now(via Amazon)

A 4-piece set should be enough for most common tasks, but 6-piece and 8-piece sets are also available.

New Becker Knives (USA-Made)

• Becker Machax
• Becker BK15 Short Trailing Point Knife
• Becker BK16 Short Drop Point Knife
• Becker BK 17 Short Clip Point Knife

The Machax measures 14-11/16″ overall with a 9-3/8″ blade, and looks to be quite appropriately named. It is roughly shaped like a machete, but with a handy axe-like-profile at the tip of the blade. MSRP is $135.67, although street pricing is expected to be considerably less.

The short knives, which might sometimes be described as tweener knives, are slightly scaled-down versions of larger Becker knifes. The BK15 resembles the BK5 Magnum Camp Knife, the BK16 the BK2 Companion Knife, and the BK17 the BK7 Combat Utility Knife. These new short versions look to save on size and weight, making them even more appealing for outdoors utility and tactical carrying.

Each Becker Short knife features a 1095 Cro-Van steel blade and is bundled with a MOLLE compatible sheath and extra set of brown Zytel handle scales. ETA is April 1st, 2012, and MSRP is $107.49. Again, expect for street pricing to be substantially lower.

I for one am a bit excited about the Becker BK16 Short drop-point knife. I purchased a BK2 Becker Companion knife a couple of weeks ago, and while I am greatly impressed with its quality, it’s a bit too much for my needs.

New Ka-Bar Zombie Knives

• Zombie Chop Stick Machete
• Zombie Mule Folder

The new Zombie Chop Stick Machete is 14-5/8″ overall with a 8″ blade, and comes with a black nylon sheath and extra set of handle scales. It should be available now, with an MSRP of $79.41.

The Mule folder is a carryover from the Ka-Bar line and is now offered with the Zombie-green handle. Straight and serrated edge versions will be available March 1st, 2012, and MSRP is $69.96.

Ka-Bar Combat Kukri

The USA-made Kukri is 13-3/8″ overall and has an 8-1/2″ blade. ETA is April 1st, 2012, and MSRP is $113.36.

Additional Ka-Bar and Zombie additions and upgrades are planned for 2012. Thus far upgrades of the Ka-Bar K2 folding knives have also been announced.

Expect to see these knives via your favorite Becker and Ka-Bar dealers.

Ka-Bar and Becker Knives via Amazon

Gorilla Glue has updated their 2oz bottles with a new anti-clog air-tight cap. Why are we excited about this? Because we’ve had our fair share of cured-glue-clogged caps. It’s not a pleasant feeling to get everything ready for a repair or DIY project only to find out that the bottle of glue is practically unusable.

The new 2oz Gorilla Glue cap features:

• ergonomic wing nut grip for easier opening and closing
• air-right precision seal to lock out air and mositure
• stainless steel pin that fits into the tip of the nozzle

This is something you’ll want to look for in-store to ensure you get a bottle with the new cap and not one with the old style. In cases like this is’t best to see what you’re buying.

Gorilla Glue via Amazon

Imperial Blades, an independent oscillating multi-tool blade manufacturer, recently announced their new universal T340 bi-metal titanium-coated Storm saw blade. They say that it can cut almost anything, from wood to decking screws.

There are three more points that make these blades highly attractive to us – they’re made in the USA, they supposedly beat out all others’ competing blades in comparative longevity testing, and they have universal arbors.

So… these new Storm oscillating blades are ultra-durable cut-anything blades that can be used with almost any multi-tool. Sweet!

Buy Now(via Amazon)

3-packs and 10-packs are also available, and drop the per-blade costs by quite a bit.
More Info via Imperial Blades

We plan to take a closer look at Imperial Blade and their oscillating tool blades when we have a chance. Hopefully these Storm blades perform even half as good as they look.

Right now there are a couple of one-handed multi-tools on the market, such as the Gerber Diesel Multi-Plier, but they’re all kind of ho-hum. That’s soon to change - Leatherman has formally announced its new OHT one-hand-tool, and it looks totally bad-ass.

The Leatherman OHT will feature spring-loaded pliers that can be opened and closed with one hand, a feature many will find extremely appealing. Certain Leatherman sheaths allow you to carry the pliers in an open position, but I’ve always found this to be awkward.

It also looks like the One Hand Multi-Tool’s blades and tools are all accessible from the outside of the tool, another big plus. Many of Leatherman’s other multi-tools, such as the Sidekick, Wave and Charge already feature one-hand-opening for the primary knife blades and tools.

Leatherman OHT One Hand Tool Features:

• spring-action combination needlenose and regular pliers
• replaceable 154CM soft and hard-wire cutters (pliers)
• 420HC straight edge knife blade (2.37″)
• 420HC serrated knife blade
• aggressive-toothed wood saw
• strap cutter (v-notch)
• oxygen wrench
• can & bottle opener
• small, medium and large slotted screwdrivers
• Phillips screwdriver
• integrated lanyard attachment
• stainless steel body
• gloved-hand accessibility
• #8-32 cleaning rod attachment
• closed length of 4.5″ and 9.9oz weight
• MOLLE sheath

The OHT will be available in black and coyote tan/brown. Leatherman points out that these will have Cerakote finishes, not black oxide. The primary blades and tools feature liner-locks, and all tools are lockable for safety and ease of use.

One more thing – look at the handles of the tool. Do you see how there are imprints at all four corners? Those markings help you visually identify which tool is where so you can deploy the tool you need on the first try.

Leatherman OHT Release Date & Pricing

Early ETA is Aug/Sept 2012, and MSRP is currently set at $82.

A few months ago we previewed the Mnpctech Modder Ruler, a handy multi-layout tool for PC case modding. It can be used for other types of projects as well, but is particularly handy for those modding, scratch-building or water cooling their computer chassis.

I have grown quite fond of the Modder Ruler, and although it’s not perfect, it is incredibly useful and saves time and frustration. You can check out my full review of the Modder Ruler over at Make. Head on over to Mnpctech if you’d like to buy one. The price is $35, but they’re sold out at the moment.

We’ve seen magnetic drill bit holders of all kinds – ones that stick to machinery, some that attach to tools, and even ones that you wear on your wrist. Last week we received an email about the Drill Sergeant, a interesting new drill-mounted bit holder.

After first hearing about the Drill Sergeant, we had a quick chat with its designer, who says that the final product resulted from many revisions until it was just right. Their goal was to make a useful bit holder that doesn’t get in the way, and it looks like they succeeded.

Drill Sergeant Mounted to Cordless Drill Battery

There are three models of Drill Sergeant available, the original, which has 2 barrel magnets and a wide catch-all magnetic strip, a smaller micro version, and the Pro, which has 4 barrel magnets and a shorter catch-all space. The barrels feature strong rare earth magnets at their centers and can hold 1/4″ hex bits (or smaller drill bits) from both sides, meaning that the original can hold 4 bits and the Pro 8.

To install the Drill Sergeant, first attach the sticky-backed loop-sided Velcro to your drill or driver. Then just stick on the hook-sided Velcro, which is sewn to a nylon elastic top layer, presumably with the magnetic elements locked in between.

Drill Sergeant Mounted to Rotary Tool

We like the idea of the Velcro-attachment method, since it potentially allows for the same Drill Sergeant to be used with different drills and drivers. It’s also good to know that the holder is removable should it interfere in any way during a project.

To be perfectly honest, I’m not usually fond of these types of accessories. But, the Drill Sergeant definitely looks interesting and well designed, and I can think of a few recent times it would have come in handy.

The Drill Sergeant is made in the USA and can be purchased via Etsy or Amazon. The Original model is $14 and the Pro model $16.

Pro via Etsy
Original via Etsy
Original via Amazon

Sears has dropped the price of this Craftsman 118pc dual-marked mechanics tool set to $70 from its regular price of $100. Today’s online-only 15%-off discount takes another $9.75 off the price. Follow-up with a SEARS2011 coupon code, and another $5 drops off the price. Final price is then $55.24 if you select in-store pickup.

Buy Now(via Sears)

The Brewzer, by PocketToolX, is more than just a bottle opener. It’s a pry bar, a flat head screwdriver, 1/4″ hex wrench/bit driver, and oxygen wrench. That curved notch at the tip – that’s for ripping through cardboard and packaging tape.

Brewzers are made in the USA from high-grade heat-treated stainless steel. Pricing is at $12 plus shipping.

Buy Now(via Amazon)

The Gerber Shard (preview) is a reasonable lower-priced alternative.

Over at Woot, our favorite “deal of the day” retailer, the Leatherman Freestyle CX is on sale, today only, for $15.99 each. You can order up to 3, with shipping fixed at $5. This is a great deal if you’re looking to stock up on holiday gift for fanily or friends.

The Leatherman Freestyle CX features combination pliers, a plain-edge knife blade, and removable pocket clip.

Buy Now(Price Comparison)

One word of warning – if you think this is a deal you may want to get in on, ACT QUICKLY!! The deal is valid for one day only (today, 11/26) unless supplies run out sooner.

But if you do miss out on this deal, the Leatherman Wingman & Sidekick tools are still on sale over at Amazon.

Update: BF prices have already went into effect. If you order online right now, you also get free shipping to your home, no minimum order!

We already mentioned the Maglite 2D LED flashlight deal in our Lowes Black Friday post. However, we have received news that Lowes will also be discounting Maglite’s 2AA mini-Maglite LED flashlights as well.

Maglite 2D LED Flashlight via Lowes ($14.97)
Maglite 2AA LED Flashlight via Lowes ($10.97)
Maglite 3D LED Flashlight via Lowes ($14.97)

Also available in gray: 2D, 2AA, 3D.

Hurry before supplies run out! The 2D is normally priced at $25 via Amazon, and the 2AA is $18 via Amazon.

In recent years, these have always been quick to sell-out online and in-store. Why? Because they’re great flashlights, and these are killer prices. We usually help this along by buying 2-4 to give away as gifts, and we hope to do the same this year. (Correction: 2-4 was an underestimation as we ended up ordering 5!)

Needless to say, we very highly recommend these flashlights! Also worth mentioning is that flashlights are made in the USA!

Pricing is valid through 11/28.

The ToolChanger features three main compartments – sockets and wrenches go in the bottom; screwdrivers and other long-handled or shafted tools go in the middle; and pliers, hammers, and other bulky items can be stored on the top shelf. Other tools can be stored in a not-included mobile tool cabinet.

Features

• Keeps tools organized and immediately accessible
• Ergonomic – tools can be retrieved even when wearing thick gloves
• Logical organization – wrenches can be stacked inline with same-size sockets
• Customizable – vertical racks and pliers tray can be sized to fit user needs
• Made in USA and fully repairable
• Anodized aluminum and premium rubber components are chemical-resistant

The ToolChanger is priced at $1500, including shipping.
More info via ToolChanger

We think that the individual ToolChanger compartments are very nicely designed and configured, from both a usability and aesthetics standpoint. But as a whole, we’re not yet convinced that the ToolChanger is a game-changing breakthrough. It does offer several advantages compared to traditional tool chests, but there are also a couple of downsides.

What do you think – is the ToolChanger a game-changer, or are tried-and-true tool chests going to win this one?

Over at Amazon, the Leatherman Sidekick and Wingman that we reviewed and gave two thumbs up to are on sale for what might be a very limited time. The price of the Sidekick has been slashed from $40-45 down to $31, and the Wingman from $30-35 to $25, (matching Home Depot’s special pricing).

These are marketed as “entry-level” tools, but we like them anyways, for their useful features, smaller and lighter form factor, and reasonably good build quality.

We highly recommend both multi-tools. If you’re not sure which to get, refer to our Leatherman Sidekick vs. Wingman comparison review. And here is our review of the Leatherman Sidekick.

Buy Now(Wingman via Amazon)
Buy Now(Sidekick via Amazon)

We do not know how long this sale will last for, or when supplies may run out.

Although we only intended to review the Sidekick, we came across a great deal on the Wingman and promptly purchased one for personal use and review. Since much of what we said about the Sidekick holds true about the Wingman, we decided to do a comparison video review that focuses more on the tools’ different features.

Although the scissors gave us some trouble initially, they work perfectly now that we realized they need a little extra force to deploy. If the liner lock is not engaged, the scissors will not work properly.

Leatherman Sidekick vs. Wingman Summary

Assuming that you only plan to buy one of these multi-tools, here are a couple of points to help you choose one over the other:

Leatherman Sidekick

• plain edge blade
• wood-cutting saw
• leather pouch that can be reappropriated for use with other smaller tools
• neat carabiner accessory

Leatherman Wingman

• combination plain edge and partially serrated blade
• scissors (although they’re not the greatest)
• package opener (we LOVE this feature!)
• lower price – $30 vs. $40

So that’s what it comes down to – blade preferences, scissors vs saw, package opener vs. small serrated knife, price, and cool accessories that you may or may not care for.

Sidekick via Amazon
Wingman via Amazon, and don’t forget about the holiday season special pricing at Home Depot

Over on several gadget sites this week, editors are raving about a “new” super compact tool kit being sold by an online retailer, let’s call them KM. The EDC tool kit includes a pocket-friendly pry bar, two mini screwdrivers, handy splinter-removing tweezers, and a waterproof capsule lighter. The tool kit is priced at $42, with the individual prices adding up to $45.80 if purchasing the items separately.

However, the same four tools can be purchased from County Comm for quite a bit less – $27.25 plus $8 shipping.

KM’s pricing on the tweezers matches average street pricing, but the other tools in the “EDC tool kit” are marked up by 80-90%! Wow, maybe we should look into reselling tools. Here’s where you can find them at County Comm:

ScrewKey
Tweezers (we bought ours from Amazon)
Split Pea Lighter
Pico Pry Bar

While we’re not a fan of County Comm’s shipping rates or the look of their website, we love their products. These keychain tools and many of CC’s other products are made in the USA.