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The 2024 Tool of the Year Awards program is the first in what promises to become an annual tradition of celebrating the most notable new tools and home helpers. This package spotlights the handiest products launched in the last 12 months in seven essential home-improvement categories, from power tools to cleaning tools. We’re also recognizing a DIY Game Changer, an honor reserved for the year’s most exciting innovation for projects. See all of the winners here.
Often, starting a hobby or entering a trade requires a fairly unique set of hand and power tools—specialty tools that go beyond the average homeowner’s tool kit and are task-specific. For hobbyists, tools need to be durable, dependable, and a good value overall, and the major brands have made strides this past year to meet these needs. In our Tool of the Year Awards, we’re recognizing hobbyist tools ranging from wood-carving knives with blades that stay sharper longer to a comprehensive diagnostic tool for the home mechanic. Each product is built to reliably perform its unique function for many years without breaking the bank, which we consider particularly important for any DIYer just getting into a hobby.
Our team tests hundreds of home improvement and DIY tools every year, but we have only scratched the surface. This specialty category of the Tool of the Year program includes our favorites from the past year of testing and a few new, innovative launches that excite us from brands whose quality we trust.
WorkSharp Ken Onion Edition Elite Knife and Tool Sharpener
Keeping knife, scissor, and tool blades sharp is a matter of control and safety. The WorkSharp Ken Onion Edition Elite Knife and Tool Sharpener makes sharpening faster, easier, and more precise. This is the updated version of WorkSharp’s first Ken Onion sharpener that we tested a couple of years ago, now featuring digital speed control for seven settings, continuous run mode, leather lining in the angle guides, and improved blade bevel control. It makes an ideal blade bevel and a razor-sharp edge in seconds.
Get the WorkSharp Ken Onion Edition Elite at Amazon for $249.95
Craftsman V20 ½-Inch By 18-Inch Powerfile
The Craftsman Powerfile is a 20-volt cordless 3-speed finger sander at about half the price of similar tools from other brands. The tool-only kit includes coarse, medium, and fine grit belts, regular and contact arms, and a vacuum port. In my tests, the fixed tool head was no hindrance when I used it to take the dings out of my lawnmower blades. It easily reaches into narrow spaces on smaller woodworking projects.
Get the Craftsman V20 Powerfile at Amazon for $79.00
Gearwrench GWSCAN Diagnostic Tool
A check engine light signifies car trouble but typically requires a code reader for diagnostics—which often means a trip to the local garage for an assessment. The Gearwrench GWSCAN Diagnostic Tool eliminates extra trips to the parts store and mechanic’s diagnostic fees for simple issues. It creates a Bluetooth connection linking the car’s computer to the GWSCAN mobile app for complete system diagnostics, including manufacturer fault codes and definitions. We appreciate that the tool covers more than 80 car brands, and its cost covers free software updates—no subscription fees here.
Get the Gearwrench GWSCAN Diagnostic Tool at Amazon for $69.02
Flexcut Pro Range Woodcarving Knives
Some woodcarvers turn to pocket knives, while others use box cutters for their crafts. But Flexcut offers carvers a high-quality set so affordable that it may attract even beginners to upgrade. Its new Pro Range kit includes a carving knife, chip carving knife, and a detail knife suitable for most carving styles and projects. All three Pro series knives feature precision heat-treated flat grind blades that retain a sharper edge. Newly redesigned cherry wood handles achieve the best combination of comfort, power, and control.
Get the Flexcut Pro Range Woodcarving Knives at Flexcut for $97.95
Craftsman Versastack Mechanics Tool Set
Even those who aren’t mechanics will appreciate a dependable socket set for general use. This Craftsman Versastack kit includes rugged 72-tooth quick-release ratchets in 1/4- and 3/8-inch drive sizes, a comprehensive set of 43 sockets, and two sets of Allen wrenches in SAE and metric sizes. Craftsman’s new low-profile heads are up to 25 percent thinner than previous Craftsman versions and provide better access to tighter spaces. Packaged in a hard-shell toolbox (which integrates with the new Versastack tool storage system), the 71-piece set makes a great starter or replacement set.
Get the Craftsman Versastack Mechanics Tool Set at Amazon for $49.98
