Are Tools Great Father’s Day Gifts?

Home improvement stores, tool manufacturers, and online retailers turn on their massive tool marketing engines for Father’s Day. This happens every June just as it happens every November and December for the winter holidays.

Seasonal displays pop up at stores, ads go up at gadget and gear sites popular with men 18+, and emails go out, announcing the latest must-have DIY goodies.

But is it really a great idea to surprise Dad with tools?

Yes, and no.

(Many of this will sound familiar to DIYers, pros, and regular ToolGuyd readers. Feel free to share this with your gift-giving loved ones, and please share your own opinions and experiences in comments at the bottom of the post.)

The problem with tools as Father’s Day gifts

Many major retailers, and tool brands for that matter, heavily push tools that will appeal to gift-givers, and not necessarily the intended recipients. I have been closely following the tool and home improvement industry for a while now, and one thing has become clear – with almost every holiday season comes new gimmicky trends.

It’s not that these tools are bad, although some most certainly are, but that many of these holiday-timed innovations are solutions in search of problems. And that’s what makes them appealing as gifts – they’re new, exciting, and expertly advertised.

But does Dad need them? Or will the tools end up in a junk drawer?

“Special buys”

So-called special buys pop up this time of year. While some may be great bargains, many of these tools and sets are low-priced tools of (surprise!) low-quality. They’re configured to entice you to spend more at the checkout counter. Others are priced to get you into the store – these are usually the more legit deals.

A couple of years ago I learned the hard way that special holiday tools and kits are not necessarily great buys, even if reputably branded. The drill and screwdriver bit kits I bought were pretty poor quality, and a couple of flaws indicated poor quality control.

Don’t buy any tools?

It’s okay to buy tools for Dad, but there are a couple of things to keep in mind.

• Ask Dad what he wants
• Determine what Dad needs
• Avoid “special buys” and “incredible deals”
• Be cautious with your gift ideas, even with solid ones such as Learhermans. (My father and father in law both have trouble with their liner-lock Charge ALX tools. Kickback or fixed blade knives would be a better choice for next time.)
• If you really think that new innovation is worth buying, keep it in mind as a birthday gift and be sure to check out any after-holiday user reviews.