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17 Weird Tools That Still Serve a Practical Purpose

Explore 17 of the strangest tools that may look odd but have real‑world uses—from froes for precise wood splitting to flexible flashlights for tight spaces.
27 January 2026 by
TechStora Editorial Board

Froe – Precise Wood‑Splitting Axe

A froe looks like an axe but has a long blade you drive with a mallet and twist to split wood cleanly, ideal for roof shingles or fine woodworking.

  • Low injury risk
  • Accurate, straight splits

Air Shim – Inflatable Wedge

An air shim is a tough fabric bladder you inflate to create a gap for unlocking cars, leveling furniture, or lifting doors.

  • Car lockout rescue
  • Furniture leveling
  • Adjusting hinges and windows

Spud Wrench – Dual‑End Alignment Tool

Combines a standard wrench with a tapered spike that lines up bolt holes, useful in steelworking and automotive repair.

  • Aligns holes before fastening
  • Works in tight assemblies

Dog‑Leg Reamer – Well‑Drilling Smoother

Used in drilling wells, this reamer smooths “doglegs” in boreholes with opposing spiraled blades, improving stability and speed.

  • Reduces drilling time
  • Even borehole geometry

Nail Eater Bit – Metal‑Chewing Drill Bit

A hardened auger bit that drills through wood while chewing nails, screws, or staples, eliminating the need to clear hardware first.

  • Drills through embedded metal
  • Often features self‑cleaning flutes

Egg‑Beater Drill – Hand‑Powered Rotary Drill

Operates like a kitchen egg beater, converting vertical crank motion into fast horizontal rotation—no electricity required.

  • Quiet, battery‑free operation
  • Great for quick, light‑duty holes

Tailpipe Cutter – Chain‑Wrapped Exhaust Saw

Scissor‑like handles pull a chain of cutting wheels around an exhaust pipe, allowing clean cuts in cramped engine bays.

  • Works in tight spaces
  • Produces smooth pipe ends

Broken‑Bulb Extractor – Safe Glass Removal

Features a rubber or expanding tip that grips the metal base of a shattered bulb, letting you twist it out without injury.

  • Prevents glass cuts
  • Easy base removal

Drywall Lift – Panel‑Handling Gantry

A wheeled frame with a winch and cradle lifts large sheets of drywall to ceiling height, reducing the need for extra hands.

  • Supports heavy panels
  • Adjustable angle for positioning

Booklet Stapler – Center‑Staple Maker

Designed with an angled cradle, it staples folded pages down the center, creating professional‑look booklets up to 40 pages.

  • Staples up to 20 sheets
  • Creates centered staples

Pivoting Bit Holder – Angle‑Adjustable Drill Adapter

Locks the drill bit at 0°, 15°, 20°, or 30°, letting you reach screws in confined or awkward angles.

  • Multiple lock positions
  • Improves access in tight spots

Flexible Flashlight – Bendable Light Source

Features a semi‑rigid wire or telescoping/magnetic design that can be shaped to illuminate corners and narrow workspaces.

  • Customizable beam direction
  • Magnetic or LED‑flex variants

Nail‑Holding Pliers – Safe Nail Positioner

Holds a nail in place with plastic jaws, keeping fingers away while you drive the nail, ideal for beginners and quick jobs.

  • Various hole sizes
  • Protects hands from injury

Screw Starter – Grip‑Assist for Initial Turns

Fits inside a screw head to give extra torque for the first few turns, especially useful in hard‑to‑reach locations.

  • Phillips, flat‑head options
  • Prevents cam‑out

Window Holder – Suction‑Cup Glass Transport

Large suction cups attached to a handle let you lift and move panes of glass or tile safely.

  • Strong grip on smooth surfaces
  • Reduces breakage risk

Adze – Ancient Perpendicular Axe

A hand tool with a blade set perpendicular to the handle, used for shaping wood, splitting planks, or even as a hoe.

  • Versatile woodworking
  • Historical significance

Cable‑Tie Opener – Reusable Zip‑Tie Tool

Slides under the ratchet of a zip tie to release the locking mechanism, allowing the tie to be opened and reused.

  • Quick zip‑tie removal
  • Extends tie lifespan