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American-made tools seem to be harder and harder to find these days. With so many products being made overseas, you may be looking to give your business to a tool company that makes its products right here in the United States. Buying tools made in the U.S.A. will help support the country’s overall economy along with American businesses and workers.
Below, we’ve rounded up the best tools that are still made in America, from Leatherman to Stihl. You can shop many of these brands at major retailers like The Home Depot and Lowe’s.
1. Channellock
Price Range: $ to $$
What to Buy: 5-Piece Plier Set—$84.95 and 6-Inch Slip Joint Pliers—$10.95
Channellock manufactures over 75 different types and sizes of pliers in Pennsylvania. The company—which now employs over 350 American workers—was started by blacksmith George B DeArment in 1886 and originally called Champion Bolt & Clipper Company. In 1933, it released its breakthrough slip-joint, multi-position, tongue and groove pliers named Channellock.
Following the popularity and the name recognition these innovative pliers receive, the company name was officially changed to Channellock in 1963. Today, Channellock also sells screwdrivers, wrenches, and other tools in addition to its famous pliers.
Shop Channellock tools at:
2. Klein Tools
Price Range: $ to $$
What to Buy: 9-Inch High Leverage Pliers—$33.99 and All-in-1 Precision Screwdriver Set with Case—$27.77
From the time Klein Tools was founded in 1857, it has maintained its commitment to manufacturing its tools in the United States. According to the company’s website, “the vast majority” of its products are made in America, and it plans to invest over $100 million dollars in the coming years into making even more here.
Klein Tools—which is one of the most trusted brands among electricians— makes a variety of tools including pliers, multimeters, wire strippers, screwdrivers, hammers, cable cutters, and saws.
Shop Klein Tools at:
3. Leatherman
Price Range: $ to $$$
What to Buy: Wingman Multi-tool—$68.95 and Wave Plus Multi-tool—$109.95
Leatherman makes some of the most well-known and trusted multi-tools. These tools—-many of which are centered around a pair of pliers—make it possible for users to carry over 20 tools in their pocket.
The idea for Leatherman’s multi-tools was developed when the company’s founder, Tim Leatherman, was visiting Europe in 1975. During his stay, he found himself fixing leaky plumbing in the hotels, tinkering with the car, and even slicing bread with his scout knife. He realized that many of the tasks he was using his knife for would be much easier with a pair of pliers, so when he returned home, he started designing the first Leatherman multi-tool with a central pair of pliers.
Shop Leatherman tools at:
4. STIHL
Price Range: $$ to $$$
What to Buy: MS 170 16-Inch Gas Chainsaw—$199.99 and BGA 57 Handheld Leaf Blower Kit—$199.99
According to STIHL’s website, the majority of the products sold in America are also manufactured right here in the states. The brand operates a large factory in Virginia Beach, Virginia, where over 2,000 American workers are employed. It produces millions of both battery- and gas-powered STIHL equipment that is sold in the United States and over 90 other countries across the globe.
While the company is probably best known for its chainsaws, it also makes a variety of other tools, including hedge trimmers, lawn mowers, gardening tools, pole pruners, blowers, and pressure washers.
Shop Stihl tools at:
5. Estwing
Price Range: $ to $$$
What to Buy: 20 oz. Straight-Claw Rip Hammer—$30.97 and Special Edition Fireside Friend Axe—$59.99
Estwing manufactures hammers, axes, pry bars, and other tools in its Rockford, Illinois factory. The product line includes numerous specialty items—such as roofing hammers, drywall hammers, and bricklayer hammers—-that are trusted by many professional contractors.
With a nearly 100-year long history of American-made craftsmanship, Estwing products are made and designed to high standards to offer the ultimate in performance. The brand’s patented shock reduction grip works to decrease vibrations and makes Estwing products more comfortable to hold and easier to use.
Shop Estwing tools at:
6. Eklind
Price Range: $ to $$
What to Buy: Hex L-Key Allen Wrench Combo Set—$19.95 and Cush Grip Hex T-Key Set—$28.47
Since 1923, Eklind has been offering high-quality American made tools. Today, the company employs more than 100 American workers in its factory in Franklin Park, Illinois. While Eklind is best known for its hex keys and Allen wrenches, it also manufactures precision screwdriver sets.
Shop Eklind tools at:
7. Bully Tools
Price Range: $ to $$
What to Buy: 30-Inch Poly Leaf Rake—$38.49 and 14-Gauge Round Point Shovel—$51.02
For the past two decades, Bully Tools has been crafting lawn and garden tools, snow and ice removal tools, roofing and flooring products, and more. The company’s American-made tools are produced in its Steubenville, Ohio factory equipped with various technological advancements, such as plasma cutting, heat treating, robotic welding, and injection molding.
Bully Tools is committed to continuing to produce all of its products in America and sees it as an important step in keeping American workers employed, reducing environmental impacts, and supporting the United States economy.
Shop Bully Tools at:
8. Vaughan
Price Range: $ to $$$
What to Buy: Milled Face Steel Head Wood Framing Hammer—$25.98 and 15-Inch Multi-Function Demolition Tool—$23.92
Vaughan has been producing durable American-made tools for some 150 years. The brand sources high-quality raw materials from the states and uses them to craft tools that meet the strictest standards outlined by the United States government.
Vaughan—which continues to be a family-owned and operated company—manufactures a variety of different hammers, axes, hatches, hand saws, and wrecking bars. With over 250 different types of hammers, Vaughan has something for every professional and DIYer.
Shop Vaughan tools at:
9. Bondhus
Price Range: $ to $$
What to Buy: Balldriver L-Wrench (2-Pack)—$28.96 and GorillaGrip Hex and Star Fold-up Set—$25
Bondhus manufactures its Hex, Ball, and TORX tools in its facility in Monticello, Minnesota. Since 1964 when it was founded by John Bondhus with his invention of the original Balldriver ball end hex tool, the company has grown to become recognized around the world.
Bondhus tools can be found in more than 100 countries, and they’re even used by dentists, in the production of artificial limbs, and for operating some printing presses.
Shop Bondhus tools at:
10. Chapman MFG
Price Range: $ to $$
What to Buy: Master Screwdriver Set—$121 and All-Purpose Screwdriver Set —$32.50
Chapman MFG is a woman-owned American manufacturing company and military supplier. It produces a variety of different products including screwdrivers, Allen wrenches, wood cases, and more at its Durham, Connecticut plant.
Chapman MFG has received three Green Circle Awards for its commitment to the environment and recycling—the entire Connecticut plant claims to only produce between one and two garbage bags each week.
Shop Chapman MFG tools at:
How We Chose the Best Tools Made in U.S.A.
Developing the list of tools made in the U.S.A. above took a lot of time and research. Many companies claim to offer “American-made” tools, but oftentimes much of their product line is made overseas.
After closely checking the websites for over 20 different tool companies and determining which brands did indeed manufacture their tools in the United States, we narrowed the list down even further to present the best of the best. First, we considered the reputation of each brand and sought to include companies who are highly revered by their customers.
Some of the other factors that were considered include the selection of tools offered by each manufacturer, the price range for the products, and tool design and overall quality.
