Hand tools are tools that people use by hand, without electricity or batteries. They are common in homes, schools, workshops, and construction sites. Here, we’ve provided a list of some commonly used hand tools that everyone should have in their toolbox.
Hand Tools
Hand tools are small tools that usually do not use electricity.
Names of Hand Tools
- Tape measure
- Backsaw
- Awl
- Handsaw
- Gimlet
- Metal smoothing plane
- Punch
- Pocketknife
- Chisel
- Pliers
- Try square
- Spirit level
- Screwdriver
- Miter box
- Claw hammer
- Wrench
- File
- Bradawl
- Scissors
- Mallet
- Scraper
- Hack saw
- Coping saw
- Ax
- Brace
Common Hand Tools
These are basic hand tools that are easy to recognize and very common.
- Hammer – Used to hit nails into wood
- Screwdriver – Used to turn screws
- Wrench – Used to tighten or loosen nuts and bolts
- Pliers – Used to hold or pull objects
- Tape Measure – Used to measure length
Hand Tools | Examples & Photos
Tape measure
You all saw that to begin with, the tape measure stretched across from one side to the other, exactly.
Backsaw
Awl
An awl is an iron instrument used for piercing leather, but the word has been in punning use since time immemorial.
Handsaw
Don’t worry. He won’t fool me. I know a hawk from a handsaw.
Gimlet
His glance was like a gimlet, cold and piercing.
Metal smoothing plane
Punch
Make two holes with a hole punch.
Pocketknife
It was pretty cool. I got a really good pocketknife for $10.
Chisel
Camille used a hammer and chisel to carve out a figure from the marble.
Pliers
This has often meant having to use pliers and then replacing the staples with new ones.
Try square
Spirit level
A spirit level is an instrument designed to indicate whether a surface is a level.
Screwdriver
Endmill took his torch and screwdriver with him in case there was anything to unscrew.
Miter box
I forgot the name for it, I think it’s a miter box saw.
Claw hammer
Well, you’ll probably want to use the claw hammer.
Wrench
Spray it and then use the wrench on it, jump onto the window ledge then onto the door.
File
Bradawl
Scissors
The scissors have stainless steel blades and retail at ￡1.99 in department stores and toy shops.
Mallet
Use a mallet to hammer in the tent pegs.
Scraper
To remove any trace of ripples I use a freshly sharpened 2in wide, shallow curved scraper for the final skim.
Hack saw
He sat down at the kitchen table and picked up the hack saw.
Coping saw
Ax
My heroes were mountain men, who had calloused hands and knew how to handle an ax and a rifle.
Brace
Last Updated on January 6, 2026
