Hand tool

A hand tool is any tool that is powered by hand instead of a motor. People have used these tools for thousands of years to build, fix, and make many different things. Some common hand tools are wrenches, pliers, cutters, files, striking tools, struck or hammered tools, screwdrivers, vises, clamps, snips, hacksaws, drills, and knives.

Outdoor tools such as garden forks, pruning shears, and rakes are also hand tools. These tools are important because they let people do many jobs without needing electricity or batteries. Unlike portable power tools, hand tools rely only on the strength and skill of the person using them.

History

Hand tools have been used since the Stone Age with stone tools for hammering and cutting. In the Bronze Age, tools were made by casting alloys of copper and tin, making them sharper. Later, in the Iron Age, iron made even stronger tools. The Romans created tools that look like the ones we use today. After the Industrial Revolution, tools were mostly made in factories.

Today, many old hand tools are kept in museums. St Albans Museum has a large collection from 1700 to 1950, gathered by Raphael Salaman. Another big collection was made by David Russell, leading to his book Antique Woodworking Tools.

General categories

Hand tools are tools you can use with your hands instead of a machine. Some common types of hand tools include wrenches, pliers, cutters, striking tools, struck or hammered tools, screwdrivers, vises, clamps, snips, saws, drills and knives. These tools help people fix and build many different things.