The tool industry is beginning to understand what the electronics industry has known for years: Gizmos and gadgets that pack more in, pack more punch with consumers.
Shoppers have been snapping up all-in-one cell phones that let you e-mail, surf the Web and shoot photos. And many are likely to be wowed by the latest TVs expected to soon hit the market, which can record shows, store digital music and access satellite programming without the need for additional set-top boxes.
Now, it would seem, it’s the tool industry’s turn. Today’s tool sets and individual handheld tools are not only more compact, but are built for multitasking. Companies such as Sheffield Mfg., for example, are taking their best-selling products and reinventing them for a wide array of applications.
A hammer is no longer just a hammer-it’s a “jack-of-all-trades” with several other implements built into the handle. Take Sheffield’s 14-in-1 Deluxe Hammer Multi-Tool, for instance. This striking implement is a complete tool set with a wood handle and brass finish. Fitting nicely in the palm of your hand, it encompasses 14 gadgets such as screwdrivers,...