Tools
39 brands in the Ledger.
Hand tools, power tools, and workshop gear. Tradespeople's first category for proving quality.
39 results
Tools · Pneumatic Tools / Fasteners
Bostitch
Status: AvoidPneumatic fasteners, staplers, nailers, glue guns, and adjacent hand tools at home-center and Walmart price points.
Stanley Black & Decker
Tools · Cutting Tools
Lenox
Status: WatchlistIndustrial bi-metal band saw blades, hole saws, reciprocating saw blades, and adjacent cutting accessories aimed at the professional plumbing, electrical, and metalworking trades.
Stanley Black & Decker
Tools · Hand Tools
Irwin
Status: AvoidHand tools, locking pliers (Vise-Grip), drill bits, woodworking and quick-release clamps (Quick-Grip), tin snips; home-center and big-box retail tier with mass-market sub-tier (Walmart).
Stanley Black & Decker
Tools · Hand Tools
Craftsman
Status: AvoidAmerican hand tool brand, originally a Sears house brand.
Stanley Black & Decker
Tools · Pliers & Cutters
Knipex
Status: ApprovedGerman pliers manufacturer. Widely considered the best in the world by tradespeople.
Tools · Screwdrivers & Bits
Wera
Status: ApprovedGerman screwdriver and bit specialist. Known for Hex-Plus geometry and tool quality.
Tools · Electrical Tools
Klein Tools
Status: ApprovedAmerican electrical tools. Standard-issue for US electricians.
Tools · Power Tools
Makita
Status: ApprovedJapanese power tools. One of the two dominant cordless platforms alongside Milwaukee.
Tools · Precision Tools
Wiha
Status: ApprovedGerman precision tools. Screwdrivers, bits, torque tools.
Tools · Power Tools
Festool
Status: ApprovedPremium German power tools. Dominant among high-end woodworkers.
TTS Tooltechnic Systems
Tools · Pliers & Cutters
Channellock
Status: ApprovedAmerican pliers, specifically tongue-and-groove. Made in Meadville, Pennsylvania.
Tools · Hammers & Striking
Estwing
Status: ApprovedAmerican hammers forged from single-piece steel. Rockford, Illinois.
Tools · Hammers & Striking
Vaughan & Bushnell
Status: ApprovedAmerican hammers and striking tools. Longtime competitor to Estwing in the traditional hammer category.
Tools · Measuring & Levels
Stabila
Status: ApprovedGerman levels. Industry standard for professional framers and tile setters.
Tools · Precision Tools
Starrett
Status: ApprovedAmerican precision measurement tools. Athol, Massachusetts.
Tools · Multi-Tools
Leatherman
Status: ApprovedAmerican multi-tools. Portland, Oregon. Invented the modern pliers-based multi-tool category.
Tools · Multi-Tools
Victorinox
Status: ApprovedSwiss Army Knife manufacturer. Also kitchen knives and luggage.
Tools · Knives - EDC
Benchmade
Status: ApprovedAmerican folding knives. Oregon City, Oregon.
Tools · Knives - EDC
Spyderco
Status: ApprovedAmerican folding knives. Golden, Colorado. Invented the pocket clip and round hole opener.
Tools · Knives - Fixed Blade
Buck Knives
Status: ApprovedAmerican hunting and outdoor knives. Post Falls, Idaho. The 110 Folding Hunter is iconic.
Tools · Knives - Fixed Blade
ESEE Knives
Status: ApprovedAmerican fixed-blade survival knives. Manufactured by Rowen Manufacturing in Idaho.
Tools · Knives - EDC
Chris Reeve Knives
Status: ApprovedPremium American folding knives. Boise, Idaho. Sebenza is the benchmark high-end folder.
Tools · Cordless Systems
Milwaukee Tool
Status: WatchlistAmerican-headquartered power tool brand, dominant in trades alongside Makita and DeWalt.
Techtronic Industries (TTI)
Tools · Power Tools
Ryobi
Status: Former GreatConsumer-tier cordless power tools, Home Depot exclusive in the US.
Techtronic Industries (TTI, power tools licensing)
Tools · Cordless Systems
DeWalt
Status: WatchlistAmerican-headquartered power tools, a top-three pro cordless platform.
Stanley Black & Decker
Tools · Hand Tools
Stanley
Status: WatchlistAmerican hand tools. The namesake of Stanley Black & Decker.
Stanley Black & Decker
Tools · Power Tools
Black+Decker
Status: AvoidConsumer power tools. Big-box retailer staple.
Stanley Black & Decker
Tools · Power Tools
Porter-Cable
Status: Former GreatHistoric American power tool brand, once a top-tier professional name.
Stanley Black & Decker
Tools · Automotive Tools
Mac Tools
Status: WatchlistMobile automotive tool truck brand, sold direct to mechanics.
Stanley Black & Decker
Tools · Automotive Tools
Proto
Status: WatchlistIndustrial hand tools, originally professional automotive. Sister to Mac Tools under SBD.
Stanley Black & Decker
Tools · Hand Tools
Facom
Status: WatchlistFrench industrial hand tools. Historically a premium European line.
Stanley Black & Decker
Tools · Automotive Tools
Snap-on
Status: ApprovedAmerican professional automotive and industrial tools. Truck-route sales model.
Tools · Hand Tools
SK Tools
Status: WatchlistAmerican hand tools. Revived after near-collapse.
Ideal Industries
Tools · Hand Tools
Williams Tools
Status: WatchlistIndustrial hand tools. Sister brand to Snap-on, historically targeted at MRO and aerospace.
Snap-on
Tools · Power Tools
Hilti
Status: ApprovedPremium professional power tools, anchors, and construction equipment. Rental and direct-sales model rather than retail.
Tools · Power Tools
Bosch (Power Tools)
Status: ApprovedGerman power tools, part of the much larger Robert Bosch GmbH industrial group. The tool division is a small fraction of the overall Bosch business.
Robert Bosch GmbH (92% owned by Robert Bosch Stiftung)
Tools · Power Tools
Metabo (original)
Status: Former GreatHistoric German metalworking and power tool brand. Originally family-owned; considered a top choice for angle grinders and metalworking.
KKR (via Hitachi Koki acquisition chain)
Tools · Power Tools
Metabo HPT
Status: AvoidUS-market brand for KKR's ex-Hitachi Koki power tools. Originally Hitachi in the US (known for nail guns), rebranded Metabo HPT.
KKR (via Hitachi Koki)
Tools · Power Tools
Ridgid (power tools)
Status: AvoidOrange-branded power tools sold almost exclusively through Home Depot.
Emerson Electric (trademark) / Techtronic Industries (TTI, manufacturing)