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Leatherman Skeletool
This stunning 5-ounce multitool is a master class in less-is-more industrial design. The stripped-down, easy-to-access tools include a knife, pliers, wire cutters, a screwdriver and a bottle opener.
Klein Cushion-Grip Nut Driver Set
From the corrosion-resistant chrome plating to the hollow shafts (to accommodate long fasteners), these nut drivers are as smart as they get.
Pax Ripsaw
There's nothing at all high-tech about this classic ripsaw, with its 22-in.-long alloy-steel blade, steamed beech handles and brass rivets. And that's precisely the point.
Crescent Pro Series Compund Action Pliers
Crescent says its new pliers (9-in. diagonals pictured) have up to 60 percent more cutting power. We say: These pliers cut really, really well.
Stanley Fatmax 4-in-1 BI-Material Pocket Driver
This is a simple idea--two double-sided bits (Phillips and flathead) in one pen-size tool--executed flawlessly, from the textured grip to the snug-fitting magnetic bits.
Craftsman 7-1/4-in. Compund Miter Saw
This is a bargain--under $100 for a powerful but portable 9-amp, 16-pound miter that adjusts quickly and intuitively, and has smart features like a clear resin lower guard for a constant view of the blade.
Dremel 75th Anniversary Kit
Don't call it a throwback--this commemorative Dremel kit is a return to corded, whisper-quiet rotary-tool greatness, complete with 75 accessories, including a 12-in-1 multitool and an array of bits.
Hitachi 12V Cordless Impact Driver
Lithium-ion technology hasn't won over all cordless-tool fans--in part because the tools lose capacity as years pass. This powerful Hitachi impact driver is a great example of ready-to-go, nickel-cadmium reliability.
Milwaukee 12V Subcompact Driver
This driver embodies lithium-ion at its best--it has serious muscle (100 pound-inches of torque) and plenty of power per charge, in a truly subcompact, 2-pound package. (; $130)
Mechanix Wear Glover Light
Straight out of Batman's utility belt, these spandex and synthetic-leather gloves have durable, knuckle-mounted LEDs for working in dark spaces or tracking down lost fasteners. To conserve battery power, the lights shut off after 7 minutes.