The Average American Can’t Identify These Common Household Tools

For homeowners, knowing the basic household tools is pretty important. After all, you never know when you will need a hammer or measuring tape. However, beyond the simple and common household tools, there is an overabundance of lesser-known (yet, just as equally important and helpful) as nails, drills, wrenches, and flashlights. However, the average American cannot identify these common household tools. Can you? Test your knowledge and see if you come out “above average.” (Read: The Typical American Can’t Answer These Simple Questions About the American Flag.)

Can You Guess This Household Tool?

The looks of this household tool may take you back to caveman days. Yet, it’s a simple tool that is considered safer and more accurate than other options.

Answer: Shingle Froe

A shingle froe’s primary function is to split wood. It is used alongside a mallet and is thought to be a safer option than a hatchet.

Can You Guess This Common Household Tool?

This tool is commonly used in the plumbing and ironwork professions.

Answer: Spud Wrench

A spud wrench is used to line up bolt holes, fastener rotation, and for tightening larger fittings. It has a smoother jaw than a pipe wrench.

Can You Guess This Household Tool?

With a similar appearance to a blood pressure cuff, this household tool comes in handy for homeowners.

Answer: Inflatable Shim

The inflatable shim is great for lifting objects when installing things like doors, cabinets, or winders. Additionally, it can be used to hold things in place or for leveling.

Can You Guess This Household Tool?

This fancy-looking household tool is useful in woodworking.

Answer: Honing Guide

A honing guide helps ensure a precise and straight angle.

Can You Guess This Household Tool?

This hand drill looks eerily similar to something you find in the kitchen.

Answer: Eggbeater Drill

The eggbeater drill is a hand drill that can create small and precise holes. It is often used for predrilling.

Can You Guess This Household Tool?

A very important tool if you are looking to hang anything heavy.

Answer: Stud Finder

A stud finder helps you find the stud and essentially learn where to drill.

Can You Guess This Household Tool?

This household tool has a pointed and sharp tip.

Answer: Center Punch

A center punch is perfect for marking exactly where to drill a hole by creating an indentation.

Can You Guess This Household Tool?

A household tool that is commonly used during carpentry or surveying.

Answer: Plumb Bob

A plumb bob has a weight with a string to create a vertical line. It is used to find a vertical reference line.

Can You Guess This Household Tool?

This hand tool originated in Japan.

Answer: Ryoba Saw

The Ryoba saw has a double-edged blade that is used for rip-cutting and cross-cutting.

Can You Guess This Household Tool?

This tool looks very similar to an axe, but its blade is arched.

Answer: Adze

The adze is used in carpentry and to carve wood. Additionally, it works as a hoe as well in gardening.

Can You Guess This Household Tool?

This tool is great to use in tight spaces.

Answer: Pick

Picks work great as an adaptable tool that is used to rotate objects, mark places on surfaces, scrape seals and O-rings, and it is a common tool used by locksmiths.

Can You Guess This Household Tool?

While it looks very similar to another tool, they are actually different.

Answer: Wrecking Bar

A wrecking bar is used to pull objects apart from one another. For example, it can be used to pry open stuck windows, remove tile, open door jams, and more. It’s best for heavy-duty projects.

Can You Guess This Household Tool?

This L-shaped tool is simple looking but can be an important part of a DIY project.

Answer: Hex Keyes

IF you said an Allen wrench, you’re not completely wrong. Yes, it is essentially the same thing as an Allen wrench. However, the Allen wrench is a brand, while a hex key is the actual tool name. Hex keys have hexagonal tips on each end. They are used to either tighten or loosen screws or bolts.

Can You Guess This Household Tool?

There are several variations of this tool, but the one commonly used at home is smaller and simpler.

Answer: Torque Wrench

A torque wrench is used to tighten nuts and bolts and can prevent overtightening.

Can You Guess This Household Tool?

A household tool that looks similar to a wrecking bar, but its purpose serves smaller projects.

Answer: Pry Bar

A pry bar is similar to a wrecking bar but there are some key differences. It tends to be smaller, lighter in weight and is used for smaller projects. You can read the difference between a pry bar and a wrecking bar here.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©Andi Erik/Shutterstock.com.