Foldable Scissors (KUM / RayMay) ****

If you put your scissors in a bag they might damage it. The sharp end can intrude the fabric of your companion. German firm KUM introduced a few years ago a simple pair of scissors in the form of a pen. The construction was engineered by Akio Fujii from RayMay. On the top part there is a cap to prevent injury. First you remove the cap. If you then open the rest two eyelets made from flexible plastic material pop out (by sliding on each side a fastener from the joint downwards). A smart solution to an every day problem. Would be nice if there came a higher quality version. The idea is nice! The scissors are called the PenCut. A simple product for any pupil that needs scissors at school. Because of its symmetry and the two way sharpening of the blades these scissors can be adjusted for both right and left hand users. Fascinating!

See: www.pencilsharpener.com/Produkte.asp?Cat1=985&Cat2=986 .. Or demonstration: www.youtube.com/watch?v=rI26cNNot-s .

Lawn Rake (Gardena) ***

Removing leaves or cut grass from your lawn is simple when you use a lawn rake. To prevent damaging the grass plants underneath a soft rake is preferred. In the past these rakes were made from bamboo nowadays polypropene is an excellent, more reliable substitute. To pick the pile of organic matter Gardena (design team: Wolfgang Arndt and Karin Schaffer) introduced a rake that can be split apart. With the two halves you do the job without getting green or dirty fingers. Nice one, this new extra wide (77 cm) combi XXL vario rake.

See more on (in German): www.gardena.com/de/gartengerate/combisystem/combisystem-xxl-vario/ .

Bit Holder (Wiha) ***

German firm Wiha, from the Black Forest, has in recent years introduced many interesting new hand tools. This year they introduced a new bit holder. I know, there are many excellent solutions for installing a bit securely to the shaft of a screwdriver or machine. New is that they have made the cup using a very strong magnet from neodymium of which the attractive force can be switched on and off. So after introducing the bit and finishing your task you will also be able to remove or replace the bit with little effort. The bit holder is called the MagicFlip. Wiha already won a 2013 prize for the design of the new product. Still, there is very little information on the internet to be found.

See more: www.wiha.com/england/Onlineshop/Bits4/Wiha-bit-holders-and-adapters-Bit-holder-for-electrical-tools/7123-Wiha-bit-holders-and-adapters-Quick-release-holder .

Sewing Scissors (Fiskars) ***

Always nice to see new scissors designs for certain specific areas of use. For opening seams and cutting accurately Fiskars introduced a new pair of scissors. Because of the angle in the instrument your hand is closer to the cut making it easy to work more precisely. The new design is a real seam ripper according to the manufacturer. You immediately fall in love with such a simple and useful tool.

More on: www.fiskars.eu/Crafting-Sewing/Products/2013-New-Products/5992-Seam-ripper-Scissors-15-cm .

Level (Channellock) ***

Good old Channellock from the USA is widening its assortment by the day. They started off with their famous groove lock pliers but over the years many new products like nippers, adjustable wrenches and screw drivers were added to the portfolio. Recently, Channellock introduced a professional level. It is very solid and delivers good results. Equipped with laser diode and four rare earth magnets. Made in Taiwan and Taiwan these days delivers! It looks great.

See more on: www.channellock.com/Levels.aspx .

Ladder (MOB) ***

Telescopic ladders have become very popular over the past decade. Small when not in use, very useful when completely expanded. Makes like Telesteps and Altrex have introduced great products. Gradually their length has increased. Recently, French tool manufacturer MOB came with a new product. It is called the Extender. I am fascinated by the the ease of extension and length (4 meters giving a work height of 5,20 meters). I hope the open parts are as strong as the tube parts from other makes. Nice innovation though.

More see: moboutillage.wordpress.com/2012/08/04/extender-la-nouvelle-generation-dechelle-telescopique/ .
Film: www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaTKCPAOW3Y&feature=plcp .

Pipe Wrench (Knipex) ***

Pipe wrenches are useful in plumbing. They are on the market in various types differing in the position of the jaws. In some countries 'Stillsons' are preferred. However, where I live people use the traditional pipe wrench. Well maybe professionals should buy a new one! Knipex introduced a new version with a quick adjusting feature like the ones that have become the standard in water pump pliers. The wrench is called the S-type. Is not Daimler also using S-type for their top of the range models? Available in two sizes.

More on these: www.knipex.com/index.php?id=1216&L=1&page=group_detail&parentID=1368&groupID=2041 .

Chisel (Kirschen) **

From the few remaining European chisel manufacturers (Marples (UK), Bahco (Spain), Narex (Czech Republic), MOB (France), Pfeil (Switzerland), Stubai (Austria) and 2 Cherries (Germany). Sorry, I forgot a few!) in the world, Kirschen introduced a chisel that cuts on two sides. You can use it the ordinary way and on its side. Using it on its side might be dangerous so be very careful. However, it can be very practical in some cases.

See more: www.2-cut.com/?lang=en&open=1 ..

Bike Tool (PB Swiss Tools) **

For simple bicycle adjustments only a few tools are needed. A socket wrench to tighten or release a nut, a screwdriver, a few tyre levers and an appropriate hex key. Swiss manufacturer of high quality tools PB Swiss Tools combined all of them in a compact tool. Now available in various colours. Well fixing your bike in the rain will get another bright side!

See more on this bike tool: www.pbswisstools.com/en/quality-hand-tools-qht/screwdrivers/pockettools/biketool.html .

Socket Wrench Screwdriver (Felo) ***

How to tighten a nut on a thread in a tight situation. For these the French have excellent L-shaped wrenches in which the thread can pass and the nut can be adjusted. German screwdriver manufacturer Felo came with their solution for this problem. They now offer a screwdriver handle with a very long socket that can enrobe the thread. Available in various hex nut sizes.

See more: www.felo.de/de/innovations/mtec/ .

Wrecking Bar (Hultafors) ****

It would be great if you could adjust the angle of a wrecking bar. Well, Swedish firm Hultafors made a new version that has nine different positions. It is called the number 209. They won a prize for the attractive design as well. It sure is a beauty. Well done David Crafoord!

More on: www.hultafors.com/uk/products/pry-wrecking-bars/wrecking-bars/-wrecking-bar-steel-adjustable-209-sb/ .
A video: red-dot.de/pd/online-exhibition/work/?lang=en&code=2012-14-4314&y=2012&c=168&a=1002 .

Knife (Bahco) ***

Knives for cutting carpets, thick plastics, cardboard et cetera, are easy to find in any hardware store these days. The originals were designed by Stanley. In some countries they have become a synonym for the knife itself. The word Stanley knife in The Netherlands will generate an archetype in the head of many people, regardless the actual manufacturer. It has become a general name for these knives. Bahco creators of the famous Ergo line of hand tools reengineered together with design firm Myra their knife to make it function even better. The Ergo knife looks very attractive for a new cutting experience. Work should be fun.

More on these knives: www.bahco.com/english/products/ergo_knives.html .

Spacer (Bessey) ***

When you install a wooden, parquet or laminate floor there should be an open area of approximately one centimeter close to the wall. This slit prevents that your floor will bend due to expansion in warmer or more humid conditions. Traditionally, wooden or plastic wedges or blocks of different dimensions are used as a spacer. In this way a wall that is not perfectly straight still can still adjusted perfectly. For professionals Bessey introduced a new all in one variable spacer, the AV2. Turning the red inner part will increase or decrease the size of the slit. Just one adjuster for all the dimensions and circumstances possible.

See more (video) on: www.bessey.de/video/English/Spacer_AV2.mpg .

Leveraged Hole Cutting Pliers (Selzer) ****

The original hole cutting pliers are made by the German firm Selzer. And, in fact, nowadays many OEMs still source their hole cutting pliers from this inventor’s firm. A few years ago Selzer developed a leveraged hole cutting pliers. By introducing an extra joint the actual cut was easier and less force was needed. These pliers had a plastic part to secure both parts of the pliers when not in use. Recently, Selzer improved their securing mechanism by installing a similar clip as on the simpler non leveraged versions.

More on the new pliers (scroll downwards): www.selzer-online.de/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=1&Itemid=2 .

Ratchet Hammer (Würth) ***

When you use a ratchet for a socket wrench often a slight adjustment to the bolt or nut has to be made. A nice blow with a normal ratchet however is difficult to administer precisely. It may result in damaging the ratchet or the object itself. A few years ago Wera introduced a ratchet combined with a hammer: Koloss, that can be used in these circumstances. Recently, Würth introduced a hand tool that resembles an ordinary hammer even more but still offers a ratcheting feature. Hitting and turning combined! Design by Andreas Dierolf.

More on: red-dot.de/pd/online-exhibition/work/?lang=de&code=2012-14-2043&y=2012&c=168&a=1001 .

If you prefer a film demonstrating its functionality (in German): www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zbjd6EafrKQ  .

Combination Vice Pliers (Bollmann) ***

The invention of the ViceGrip pliers was by US citizen William Petersen. Today the original company is part of Irwin Tool. After the twenty years of protection by the patent other manufacturers started producing similar pliers. For instance in Spain there is GripOn. In Germany, excellent grip pliers are produced by Bollmann based in Remscheid. Over the years the firm has added many special versions for to name a few: welding and car repair uses. Last year they came with a new hand tool that is the combination of a grip pliers and a combination pliers. With these pliers you can perform actions that are similar to a combination pliers (cutting, holding, turning) and have much more fixation with the grip feature.

See: www.bollmanngrip.de/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=45:group-120-combigrip&catid=1:gripzangen&Itemid=3 ..

Chisel (Rali) ***

The Swiss have an excellent reputation when it comes to quality. In the French part of the country the company Samvaz makes renowned planers. Last year, a new instrument was added to their assortment. A chisel with the possibility of changing the chisel width. Not only chisels can be installed but also paint scrapers and even jig saw blades. The new Rali shark has many different uses. If the quality is similar to what we are used to from Switzerland I would fancy one. Simple but adequate design.

More on these: www.samvaz.ch/cms/index.php/en/rali-shark/111-nouvelles-fonctions-poiur-rali-shark .

Electro Installation Pliers (Knipex) ***

Knipex of Germany introduced a pair of multi purpose pliers especially focussed on installers of electronic wires and groups. The pliers can cut, strip, crimp, twist, bend, widen, you name it. Nice to see so many different tasks in just one hand tool. Intelligent stuff these from Wuppertal.

See more: www.knipex.de/index.php?id=1216&L=0&page=group_detail&parentID=1363&groupID=2036&artID=32634 .

Key Ring (Freekey) ***

OK, not all new things here described are hand tools but some are nice and should be adressed too! Swedish industrial design firm Drosselmeyer developed a new ring to keep your keys at hand. I myself for instance have two keys to open the door of my house. If one of my kids needs a key he/she will get one of these. However, how to remove these from a normal tight key ring. Open it with one of your nails at the right spot and turn the ring. This can be difficult. If you like and have long finger nails (guitar players et cetera) you maybe spoil them. Not with the new key ring from Freekey. Since it is not tight by adding an extra distortion it will open easily and removing or adding a key is no problem. Nice solution to a well known problem. Made from stainless steel in the USA.

See more on: www.freekey.se ..

Spanner (Wera) ****

To tighten a nut you will use a spanner. There are many versions at many angles. Last year Wera introduced a combined open and closed spanner for nuts that has twelve positions on both sides and a flat black addition to the open side that makes it possible to hold a nut prior to installation. The closed side has a ratcheting feature. With the new spanner nuts can be tightened in very difficult spots as you can turn a nut at 30 degrees and bring the nut easily in place. The Joker as these spanners are called, is a spanner that has extra features and there for is a real help. Currently these are a available in four metric sizes but in the future many more sizes will be introduced. Made with precision by Wera in their Czech Republic factory.

See more on: www.wera.de/catalog_de.html?L=0&file=/de/maul-ringratschen-schluessel.html ..

Slip Joint Pliers (Stanley) ***

Similar to the quick adjuster button on the quick adjusting pliers (water pump pliers), Stanley introduced a slip joint pair of pliers with such a characteristic. Three different opening sizes are now quickly found. With the yellow and black from their FatBoy line it has become a very colourful hand tool. More intended for the US market than here in Europe where slip joint pliers are far less popular. A mouth full of words: FatMax Push-Lock Slip Joint Pliers, that what it is called. The tool itself can be pretty useful.

See more on: www.stanleytools.com/xhtml/literature/StanleyHandToolsFatmaxPushlockSlipJointPliers.pdf .

Side Cutting Pliers (Knipex) ***

Besides the new TwinForce pliers Knipex introduced in 2012 also the X-cut pliers. These differ from ordinary side cutting pliers as one to the two 'hands' passes through the other. The joint itself is also placed excentric, so not in the middle. Knipex claims these small pliers cut with less effort. The X-cut pliers are intended for the more delicate tasks as their head and cutting area are very compact. These two different approaches (X-cut and TwinForce) in creating a better side cutting pliers show that even in the simplest of hand tools still a lot of innovation is possible. I wonder what pliers they will create this year! Ralf Putsch, owner of the company, said in an magazine interview the company has quite some ambition in this field.

See more on: www.knipex.de/index.php?id=1216&L=0&page=group_detail&parentID=1367&groupID=2035&artID=32623 ..

Wire Stripper (Facom) **

To strip an electrical cable to its copper core you need a knife. In cables that have more cores the 'mantle' has to be cut as well. There are several famous companies providing excellent tools for automatic stripping. German makes like Weicon and Jokari provide these. Recently, a simple version combining a 'mantle' cutter and a wire stripper was introduced by French company Facom (nowadays part of Stanley-Black and Decker). It lacks the automation provided by a pistol shaped stripper but it does the job very well.

See: www.facom.com/fr-fr/a-727-Nouveau-degaineur-multi-fonction.html .