Products

Crescent Tools has released 3 new pocket knives.

The Hybrid Folding Utility Knife features a first-to-market design that combines the comfort of an everyday carry (EDC) knife with the blade-changing functionality of a utility knife. A ball-bearing flipper tab makes for smooth, one-handed blade deployment.

The Compact Folding Utility Knife is truly compact, with a length of only 3” when closed, and an EDC-style pocket clip. Both utility knives have a sturdy liner lock and feature a slide button release for quick blade change.

The 2.5” Low Profile Frame Lock Knife features an ultra-slim design and a durable D2 steel drop point blade that is made to stay sharp even with heavy use.

Crescent Tools / Apex Tool Group
888-673-1466
www.crescenttool.com

As spring brings much-needed relief from winter’s cold and dreary days, our thoughts turn toward outdoor home projects. Gardens are being planted, pools are opening, baseball is on TV and it’s time for spring cleaning to begin. One popular task is cleaning the windows, but it’s unlikely that many people look forward to that. However, using the proper tools for the job can turn a once-dreaded task into something easy to complete with the highest quality. This is where Ettore, the number one brand for professionals, shines.

Ettore Steccone invented the window squeegee more than 80 years ago and the company is still family-run today, servicing both the professional and the homeowner. We tested their 18″ ProSeries Super System—washer, squeegee, extension pole, bucket and soap.

One of the key features of these products is their high-quality materials. The washer and squeegee are made of durable materials that can withstand heavy use without wearing down quickly. Both tools also pivot, providing users with greater flexibility and delivering professional results. The extension pole is made of lightweight aluminum, making it easy to maneuver and control. Additionally, the company provides numerous videos on basic techniques utilized by professionals—click here to watch.

We provided our samples to a group of homeowners who dreaded cleaning windows. Each tester commented on the overall fit and feel of the tools and the difference a professional tool makes in the cleaning process. One tester even remarked, “I found it almost therapeutic. The tools made the job easy and delivered results that I enjoy every time I look out of my clean windows.”

The Ettore line of window-cleaning products is a must-have for any hardware store that offers cleaning supplies, both for professionals and homeowners. Your customers might even enjoy cleaning their windows!

Next-generation hurricane tie achieves higher allowable uplift and F2 loads to meet building safety needs of homes in high-wind regions.

Designed for nominal 2x lumber, H1A features innovative embossments that add stiffness for improved allowable uplift and lateral loads.

The H1A installs quickly and easily with 1-1/2” nails, eliminating the need to use two different nail sizes in the same connector and reducing both length and overall number of nails required.

Ideal for both single-family and multifamily wood-framed construction, the H1A provides a connection between the truss or rafter and the wall for the increased strength to help buildings resist wind and seismic forces, and is available in standard G90 galvanization or with ZMAX® coating for corrosion resistance.

Simpson Strong-Tie
800-925-5099
www.strongtie.com

Over the years, we have written numerous product reviews on a wide range of STIHL products. No STIHL product was as popular with our testers as the STIHL GTA 26 Garden Pruner—click here to view it. That was until we had the opportunity to test the STIHL HSA 26 battery-powered garden shears.

The STIHL HSA 26 is a compact, lightweight trimmer designed for small tasks around the home or garden. It is the perfect tool for trimming and shaping ornamental plants, shrubs and bushes. One of the standout features of the STIHL HSA 26 is its compact size. It is easy to maneuver and can be used in tight spaces where larger hedge trimmers would be too cumbersome. The HSA 26 is also very lightweight (2.5 pounds), making it easy to use for extended periods without fatigue.

It features a 10.8-volt lithium-ion battery that provides up to 120 minutes of run time on a single charge and is compatible with the STIHL AS System. The double-sided cutting blades allow for cutting in both directions, making it better for those hard-to-reach areas. The blades also deliver excellent cutting performance at a high rate of speed at 2,200 strokes per minute. Click here to see the HSA 26 in action.

We used the same group of product testers from our review of the GTA 26 Garden Pruner, since the two products are closely related in size and application. Many commented on the ergonomic design, rubberized grips and outstanding cutting performance. One tester’s comments stood out the most: “The GTS 26 Garden Pruner and HSA 26 go together like peanut butter and jelly.” If your store is a STIHL dealer, the HSA 26 is a true must-have. It’s the perfect tool for both urban and suburban homeowners.

Repeated vibrations and frequent usage can cause even tightly secured screws to come loose over time. DAP Tank Bond Gel Threadlockers offer the strength needed to withstand constant force and avoid the mess of drippy threadlockers thanks to a gel-like formula that won’t drip or run.

Ideal for vertical applications, these easy-to-use threadlockers ensure screws stay securely in place with reinforced strength.

Product will fix rapidly in 10 minutes and is fully cured within 24 hours for a strong, secure bond.

Any excess adhesive is easily wiped away with paper towel. Permanent Threadlocker is ideal for fasteners up to 1” in diameter, while Removable Threadlocker is suited for fasteners ¼” to ¾” in diameter for metal-on-metal application.

DAP Products
416-321-1522
www.dap.com

Sawtooth Soap

Duke Cannon designs soap bars to meet the high standards of hard-working men who want to get clean and smell good without using overly perfumed body washes.

Products are cruelty-free and have never been tested on animals. Triple-milled for superior quality. Assorted fragrances.

10 oz. bar soap is three times the size of most soaps.

Paraben and phthalate free. Field tested by active-duty U.S. soldiers.

Duke Cannon
855-354-4438
www.dukecannon.com

Sikaflex® is a well-known brand in the construction industry, particularly for its sealant and adhesive products. This review will be unique for us, since we’ll review both the Sikaflex Insulation Sealant/Adhesive and Sika® Insulation Seam Tape, two products that are commonly used together to provide insulation and air-sealing solutions for various types of buildings.

Sikaflex Insulation Sealant/Adhesive is a one-component flashing sealant. It is designed to bond a wide range of materials, including wood, metal, concrete and various types of insulation boards. This makes it an ideal product for insulating walls, roofs and floors, as well as for sealing gaps and cracks in a building’s envelope. It’s UV stable, highly durable and paintable with excellent resistance to both weather and moisture. Click here to view a brief video.

Sika Insulation Seam Tape is a self-adhesive tape that is designed to seal seam joints, overlaps of house wrap and interior/exterior vapor barriers. The tape is clear in appearance, allowing the applicator the ability to see the seam or overlap. It provides a continuous barrier against air infiltration, which helps to improve the energy efficiency of a building. Click here to see a video of the product in use.

Since the products are designed for the trade, we utilized a local homebuilder as our test group. They reported that both the sealant adhesive and seam tape performed exceptionally well, and the range of bonding materials made it the “go-to” product for the crew. If your store services the trades, consider adding the Sikaflex Insulation Sealant/Adhesive and Sika Insulation Seam Tape to your product mix.

Features long-range measuring with extreme accuracy and measures distances up to 65 feet to within 1/8 inch. Measures in meters, feet inches or inches only

Simple, one-button operation. Press button once to begin measuring. Small enough to fit in any pocket

Provides default real time measurement that adjusts as you move closer and farther from target, just like a tape measure. Features a backlit display that allows measurements to be easily read, even in dark areas.

Smart and convenient size and shape, easily portable and will rest on any flat surface.

Robert Bosch Tool Corp.
888-699-4646
www.boschtools.com

When contractors want the convenience of high-performing caulk for both interior and exterior use, they turn to Titebond Pro-Grade Plus Caulk. As a siliconized acrylic formulation, Pro-Grade Plus is easy to tool, water cleanable, paintable and VOC compliant.

The Plus demarcation comes from its ability to fill gaps up to 1” wide and its strong, weather-resistant seal on a variety of building materials, such as masonry, aluminum, brick, concrete, plastic, drywall, plaster, metal, fiberglass and glass tile.

Meets industry standards for both ASTM C834 Type OP Grade -18°C and ASTM C920 Type S Grade NS Class 25, allowing for 25% joint expansion and contraction.

Pro-Grade Plus carries Titebond’s 50-year warranty. In addition to clear, available in eight colors: white, almond, brown, slate gray, cedar tan, black, antique white and dark bronze.

Franklin International
800-621-7337
www.Titebond.com

“Good fences make good neighbors” is a line that appeared in a Robert Frost poem from 1914, “Mending Wall,” and for many of us, it still holds true today. In fact, the U.S. fencing market is estimated to be $8.2 billion, with a 5 percent annual growth rate expected from 2022 to 2030. The growth is driven by residential housing, industrial and agriculture markets.

The Mighty Mule MM572W Smart Gate Opener is an automatic gate opener designed for residential use. It can open and close gates weighing up to 850 pounds and measuring up to 18 feet in length. The MM572W is equipped with various advanced features, making it a popular choice for homeowners who want to automate their gates.

One of the standout features of the MM572W is its smart capabilities. It can be controlled using a smartphone app, allowing the user to open and close the gate remotely. The app also provides alerts and notifications, informing the homeowner when the gate opens or closes. It has adjustable automatic closing times and a built-in sensor that stops the gate from closing if it detects an obstruction. Additionally, it comes with a backup battery that can provide power in case of a power outage. Click here to view a company video.

We supplied our sample to a DIY property owner for their opinion on the product and the installation process. The MM572W has detailed instructions, but our tester preferred the company’s robust online how-to-videos. Mighty Mule also supplies 24-hour technical support for those who need additional help.

If your store offers fencing-related products, the Mighty Mule MM572W Smart Gate Opener is an excellent addition, and with the company’s robust support, you know your customers are covered.