If you’re going to get my attention about something as seemingly basic as a screwdriver, you need to have some kind of special selling point, because at this point I’ve seen it all. Or at least that’s how it felt before I discovered Felo’s Ergonic screwdrivers.

The defining feature here is the multi-component handle, which combines an impact-proof plastic core surrounded by a flexible gel that is then coated with a squishy rubber-like (elastomer) material.

The result is a handle that actually conforms to your grip as you turn it, distributing the force across your entire hand to deliver optimal torque (up to 30% more versus traditional screwdrivers) to the tip, all while relieving hand/wrist strain. No more painful pressure points on your palm and fingers!

Pro tip: In the event you require even more torque than your hand alone can provide, each Ergonic handle has a hole through which you can insert a second screwdriver tip and rotate it for maximum power 🤘

On top of that, the handles are designed to be anti-roll, so you can set them on inclined or vibrating surfaces without fear of them getting away from you while you work.

Get a set of six Ergonic screwdrivers $43 on Amazon.

Buy Now

Today we’ve got one of the most unique and specialized tools I’ve encountered yet — the Chopstick Master by Bridge City Tool Works of Portland, Oregon. Currently in its second generation as I write this, the “CSMv2” allows users to precisely and easily handcraft their very own chopsticks, smooth tapers and all.

It’s designed so that woodworkers of any level, even beginners and children, can reliably produce chopsticks they can use for themselves, gift to others, or perhaps sell at local craft fairs. The process takes only about 10–15 minutes too.

Watch their tutorial video to see how it works:

The Chopstick Master uses an angled jig to help shave down wooden chopstick blanks — a few varieties are included, but you can use whatever you like — into the perfect taper. It also includes a built-in chamfering tool to give chopstick tips a professional finish, rounding the edges slightly for a comfortable, ergonomic feel.

Also included is a sanding block to refine the chopsticks’ surface and ensure they are smooth to the touch, without any rough edges or splinters (although you may want to keep some 400-grit sandpaper nearby for the finer details). To finish things off, apply a thin coat of food-grade oil and let dry before storing/using.

There’s a certain satisfaction that comes from being able to turn a piece of wood into a practical, usable item, especially if you have minimal experience. It could also be a fun way to introduce a kid to the world of woodworking.

As of September 9th, 2024 the Chopstick Master Gen. 2 is marked down from $399 to $239.

Buy Now

Anyone who’s done some electronics soldering has wished for an ‘undo button’ when they mess something up — and who hasn’t messed up at one point or another? Luckily, there are solder suckers (also known as desoldering pumps) that make the task of undoing soldering connections much simpler.

The Japanese-made ENGINEER SS-02 is one of the best solder suckers I’ve come across, and way better than any basic sucker bulb for sure. The idea is, you reheat the problematic solder joint, use the SS-02’s spring-loaded (and extremely satisfying) plunger mechanism to suck away the excess molten material, then try again.

In this excellent video, electronics guru Collin Cunningham (of “Collin’s Lab” and Make: magazine fame) shows you everything you need to know about getting started with this type of tool:

The SS-02 is a game changer for electronics hobbyists everywhere, not just because it’s well-built (hello anodized aluminum body!) but also because of the heat-resistant silicone tubing at the tip, which creates a great seal over the contact area so you only have to suction the solder once and you’re done.

Get the ENGINEER SS-02 solder sucker for $20 on Amazon.

Buy Now

Although I turn 39 next month, I’m not gonna sit here and pretend like I don’t still love a simple PB&J sandwich now and again, just like when I was a kid. I’m also not above buying boxes of Uncrustables to pack in the lunches we take on family outings, because they’re just so easy and convenient.

However, the price of those things has gotten a bit out of hand in recent years, to the point where I have a hard time justifying the purchase anymore. But not to worry, there are specialized gizmos called “sandwich sealers” that let you make your own crustless sandwich pockets at home!

With the HiYZ Sandwich Sealer, all you have to do is place down a typical-sized slice of bread, place whatever filling(s) you want in the center, cover with another slice of bread, and press down hard. Voilà, the sandwich pocket is created and you simply pop it out from the surrounding crust (which you can eat right there or save for something else, like making breadcrumbs or stuffing).

This thing opens up so many doors compared to buying actual Uncrustables. You can use whatever kind of bread you like, you get to choose the fillings (how about healthier and preservative-free?) and adjust their ratios, and you always have the option of making savory sandwiches intended to be grilled or air fried later.

But mainly, if Uncrustables have ever been a part of your grocery budget, the savings alone is arguably the most appealing factor in all of this

Get the HiYZ sandwich cutter & sealer for just $10 on Amazon.

Buy Now

I’m all about reusable water bottles, but you really have to stay on top of keeping all those nooks and crannies clean unless you want to be drinking from a gross lab experiment every day. These cleaning brushes make that an easy task, combining three kinds of brushes into one handy unit:

1. U-shaped silicone brush for removing stubborn stains around the rims of bottles and cups.
2. Stranded wire slit brush for getting down into that narrow groove in a bottle lid where the silicone sealing ring lives, along with the valve where you insert a straw if your bottle lid has one.
3. Stiff corner brush for removing grime and buildup from corner grooves and more.

Those latter two brushes are connected to a swivel point that allows you to swap them around as needed. It also acts as a hanging hole for easily storing the tool on a hook when you’re not using it.

Get a set of three brushes for $13 on Amazon, or a set of six for $20.

Buy Now

When it comes to making espresso, there are so many variables you can tinker with, and any one of them can make your shots taste wildly different from one time to the next, so nailing down consistency wherever you can is key.

Normcore’s V4 tamper is one way you can at least make your puck prep more consistent.

Rather than relying on the varying degrees of strength you might employ each time you tamp — you’re only human, after all — it uses a calibrated spring-loaded mechanism to ensure that the pressure applied is always the same. It also has a leveling plate that rests on the portafilter basket edge as you press down, so your pucks are consistently level.

Watch this quick demonstration video to see it in action:

The V4 comes with three interchangeable springs that allow you to adjust the pressure: 15lb, 25lb (installed by default), and 30lb.

You can get the Normcore V4 tamper for $44 on Amazon in a variety of sizes, including the most common ones:

• 51mm — Suitable for the Delonghi Dedica.
• 53.3mm — Suitable for 54mm portafilters used in the Breville Barista Express, Breville Bambino Plus, and Profitec GO.
• 58mm — Suitable for E61 machines such as the Rocket Appartamento and the Slayer Single-Group, as well as prosumer models like the Gaggia Classic Pro and Rancilio Silvia.

There are also various styles of titanium PVD coated models that run for $50–$57 each, including ones with walnut, colorful wood, and anodized bronze handles.

Buy Now

The aptly named Pepper Cannon from MÄNNKITCHEN may be the most over-engineered pepper mill I have ever encountered — and I’ve written about my fair share of those. I don’t mean this in a bad way; rather, I think it’s awesome what lengths they went to in the making of this beast.

For starters, the body is milled from a solid chunk of aerospace-grade aluminum that’s been anodized black (with enough room inside to hold half a cup of peppercorns), and they’ve equipped it with hardened high-carbon stainless steel burrs powered by an oversized double-bearing supported drive shaft.

That internal grinding assembly is what grants this pepper mill exceptional performance and speed, allowing you to pepper a large steak in only 7 cranks instead of 70, or a side of brisket in only 15 cranks instead of 150. You also have access to a wider mesh-size grind range (8–60+ mesh) versus typical grinders (12–28 mesh).

Basically, the Pepper Cannon makes even the premium mills used by top chefs and professional cooks feel like toys.

Get the MÄNNKITCHEN Pepper Cannon for $200 on Amazon.

Buy Now

Like their safety cutter I wrote about six years ago, Slice’s EDC folding knife features a “finger-friendly” ceramic (specifially, zirconium oxide) blade that is extremely hard and cuts packaging and boxes as well as a steel razor blade, but disperses that cutting force in a way that is relatively safe for human touch.

Compatible with both the company’s rounded-tip and pointed-tip ceramic blades (and a rounded one is included by default), the knife’s metal handle uses a spring-assisted switchblade mechanism to deploy the cutting edge with a smooth and satisfying thwack.

See what I mean at 0:37 of this video:

The closed blade fits into your pocket with ease, or you can use the built-in lanyard hole to attach it to a keychain or…well, lanyard.

Get the Slice 10495 folding knife for $29 on Amazon.

Buy Now

Since opening its doors about 44 years ago, Tweezerman has been a leader in quality tweezers and other beauty tools, and now they’re bringing that same level of care and precision to your pet grooming routine with their new Pet Collection.

Included in that lineup are the Precision Nail Clippers, which are available for medium to large dogs (over 30 lbs) ($26) and smaller cats and dogs (up to 29 lbs) ($24).

These expert-approved trimmer scissors allow you to safely trim your pet’s nails at home thanks to stainless steel blades that cut cleanly and precisely, along with an auto-lock mechanism that enables quick one-handed locking and unlocking.

Right- and left-handed users alike will enjoy how comfortable the clippers are to hold, and they’re designed to be nonslip so you can focus more on keeping your furry friend calm and happy rather than worrying about your grooming tool getting away from you in the middle of the job.

Pick up the large and/or small clippers and treat your pet(s) to the monthly pampering they deserve.

Buy Now

We love a good keychain tool around here, and the stainless steel DoohicKey by Nite Ize is about as classic as it gets. It’s at least half a dozen handy tools in one:

1. Three-sized hex wrench (¼”, 5/16″, and ⅜”)
2. Etched ruler (imperial on one side, metric on the other)
3. Bottle opener
4. Flathead screwdriver
5. Pry tool
6. Box cutter

Can’t ask for much more than that! Oh, and did I mention you can pass through TSA checkpoints with it, no problem?

Get the DoohicKey for just $7 on Amazon.

Buy Now

Latest on our list of great travel cutlery is this stainless steel nesting set by BLACK + BLUM. It has the standard three implements — fork, butter knife, and spoon — all of which nest together perfectly into a snap-shut carry case.

Keep this set in your bag and you’ll never again have to worry about tossing out wasteful single-use plasticware, no matter where your travels or work commitments take you. The utensils and case are all easy to clean, and the set as a whole takes up very little space in your bag, so it’s convenient in more ways than one.

Get this portable cutlery set for $15 on Amazon.

Buy Now

Similar to those All-Clad measuring cups I wrote about a couple weeks ago, Caraway’s new Kitchen Gadget Set isn’t the kind of thing I’d shell out for if I was buying for myself, but it sure would make a great housewarming gift to someone special.

Constructed from evenly-weighted, non-toxic stainless steel, the five premium kitchen prep tools in this set — can opener, pizza cutter, garlic press, ice cream scoop, and vegetable peeler — look almost like mini scupltures, except they’re actually useful. They’re also durable and easy to clean, and they come with a 100% FSC-certified birch wood organizer to make drawer storage simple.

Get this nifty and giftable kitchen gadget set for $195 on Amazon.

Buy Now

Cleaning your grill after each use is a vital part of owning one, for a number of health, sanitation, and even fire safety reasons. However, those wire brushes used by most people are increasingly becoming known as health hazards of their own, because the thin metal bristles can become fall loose and eventually get lodged in the foods you cook, leading to potential injuries (sometimes life-altering ones) in your mouth, throat, intestines, etc.

Don’t put the safety of yourself or others at risk. Use a bristle-free grill cleaning brush like this one instead, which uses the power of hot steam to clean your grill without leaving steel fibers behind.

The removable brush pad (which is dishwasher safe) is essentially a fire-retardant foam sponge wrapped in an aramid fiber cloth, which you dunk in water before applying to the grill surface, generating a bunch of steam that loosens gunk so it wipes away easily.

For particularly stubborn buildup, the head of the handle has different-shaped scraping surfaces you can use to get the hardened grime off prior to steam-cleaning.

As I write this on June 15th, 2024 this bristle-free grill brush is listed for $45 on Amazon (down from its usual $70), making it another excellent Father’s Day gift. When it comes time to swap out the sponge head down the line, replacement pads are $20.

Buy Now

I used to think the idea of toast tongs was kind of silly. “I can just use my fingers,” I’d lie to myself each time I quickly flung a scorching hot piece of bread from the toaster to my plate, sometimes burning my digits anyway.

It took a while to get through my thick skull, but once I realized just how often this little pattern was repeating itself, I decided that my stubborn ego needed to shut it for once. If that sounds like you too, trust me when I say these bamboo toaster tongs should have a home in your kitchen.

Whenever you need to grab a freshly toasted slice of toast — or a waffle, or an English muffin, or especially one of those bagel halves that always manage to feel closer to lava than bread in terms of temperature — they make the job simple, easy, and burned-finger-free. They’re certainly safer than trying to use a metal fork, which we’ve all done at some point

Get a set of two tongs for $8 on Amazon.

Buy Now

You can use any old screwdriver for most jobs that require one, but when it comes to working with electrical systems of any kind, safety becomes paramount. If a circuit somewhere happens to be live when you go to work on it — and ideally that’s not the case, but things happen that way sometimes — then you need to be using tools that can protect you from harm.

To that end, Wiha’s SoftFinish insulated screwdrivers are officially rated for 1,000 volts (AC) and individually tested to 10,000 volts, so you can have peace of mind that working on a hot connection won’t be the last thing you do.

Obviously, any risk taken is at your own discretion; I’m not advising that you work on any live equipment if you can avoid it, and you should always do your due diligence by cutting power and/or discharging capacitors beforehand.

Even if you don’t plan to work on anything electrical, these screwdrivers are great because their grippy, cushioned handles provide maximum comfort and control on every job, with less hand strain and fatigue compared to lesser drivers.

This pack of five screwdrivers is $35 on Amazon and comes with a 1 x 80mm Phillips, a 2 x 100mm Phillips, a 4.5 x 125mm slotted/flathead, a 6.5 x 150mm slotted/flathead, and a 2 x 150mm square-tip.

Buy Now