Hooks and picks aren’t an everyday-type of tool for me. Instead, it’s a problem-solver, a frustration-easer, and an “uh-oh, I need to get something to fix that!” type of tool. I use them to pull, scrape, and manipulate all kinds of parts.
As mentioned, Gearwrench is currently a ToolGuyd sponsor, and I’ve been taking this opportunity to explore parts of their catalog that I couldn’t prioritize for investigation before.
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I’ve been fairly happy with my picks and hooks. Sometimes they’re a bit too short, though, and so this is an area where recent Gearwrench promo pricing caught my attention.
The Gearwrench hook I purchased just came in, and… let me put this as plainly as I can: I want more.
In an earlier post about hook and pick options, I wrote:
I’m also likely to trust Gearwrench as a safe bet.
I’m glad to report that they are a safe bet, at least from what I’m seeing so far.
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Here’s what it looks like in-hand, for scale.
I like the handle size, style, and comfort, the quality of the tip, and seemingly strong shaft. I tried to pull the hook out of the handle, but it’s securely installed and wouldn’t budge.
I’ve gotten things done with my shorter picks for quite a long time, but I feel that Gearwrench’s longer hooks will be an asset to my tool kit.
I bought the one size as a sort of test, and am already putting together a shopping list for more styles. I’ll be buying the right-angle hook, at the least, and maybe the 45° hook as well.
I don’t know if I need the straight hook, but I can see myself using it as a light duty or more precise awl for locating screw holes where greater reach might be needed. Don’t admonish me, but I sometimes use longer small-size Phillips screwdrivers where my awls and punches might not be long enough.
I already have a couple of complex-tip hooks and picks in shorter lengths from different brands. I know for certain that I’ll benefit from the longer-reach curved, 90°, and 45° hooks, at the least. I don’t know if some of the other shapes would be as useful for my needs, as I rarely use all of my shorter pick sizes.
The individual picks are ~$5 and up. I paid $5.58 for the round hook, it’s now $4.99. All of the longer hooks and picks have a 9″ length.
The 8pc set looks to be on sale for a couple of dollars off its regular price. It could be a good buy if you want a nice selection of long-reach hooks.
Deal Price: $30.53
You’re not saving a lot with the discounts on these sets, but a deal’s a deal, and a couple of dollar saved is still money you can spend elsewhere.
But I don’t have ANY hooks or picks! I would say that this 4pc set ($20 at Amazon) might be a good starting point.
I opted for longer picks to complement an existing set of shorter hooks and picks, and think that a 4pc set of mini hooks is better place to start unless you know for sure you’ll need the longer reach.
Longer hooks and picks can do a lot of the same things as shorter tools, and if you need longer reach there’s not much you can do with a shorter tool, but I think that shorter picks can provide better control and precision.
For me, control and precision are needed more frequently than longer reach.
Would you start off with a set of standard/short hooks and picks, or a set of longer ones?
Price: $20
I need hooks and picks that are longer and stronger.
Gearwrench also has a set of 4 hooks and picks that are 14″ long. I tend to use a hose puller or pliers when I need a lot more strength or leverage, but these are on my radar in case I ever need them.
These are NOT mini picks – these tools look to have full-size screwdriver handles.
Amazon says that this set is on sale right now.
Deal Price: $32.22
I need something different.
There’s also this 7pc hook and pick set, 84000H. it comes with a set of 4 mini hooks and picks, plus an awl, cotter pin puller, and hose pick puller.
Personally, I’d benefit from this set more so than a set of large-size picks and hooks – I think. I ordered the hose puller separately as well, and will report on that soon.
It looks like this set gives you everything you get with the $20 mini pick set, but with 3 larger size tools for just a few dollars more.
I would also bet that the handle differences here are similar to the handle size difference between Gearwrench’s mini hooks and picks and their longer heavy duty.
Price: $24.41
Hmm… a Giveaway?!
I almost feel a little spoiled. Here I am enjoying the use of a new Gearwrench pick that was essentially bought for me (since they’re a sponsor). And then there are you guys, some with quality hooks and picks I’m sure, and others with… well, other brands that you’re probably itching to upgrade from.
So how about a giveaway, running from now through 11:59pm ET 6/14/2021?
Which of these Gearwrench hook & pick sets could you use, and how would you use it?
If you already use these Gearwrench hooks and picks, what do you use them for, and what do you think about them?
Prize Options
Gearwrench 8pc long hook & pick set
Gearwrench 4pc heavy-duty hook & pick set
Gearwrench 7pc hook & pick set
The winner will be picked at random, and I’ll order the prize from Amazon to be sent to them directly.
Contiguous USA addresses only, no PO Box, one entry per reader.
Answer the bolded question in a comment below, and also fill out the following form:
Adam
I have a set of longer Craftsman that have been invaluable. One of the ends is very unique and has been a life saver on numerous occasions.
I’d probably go with the 8-piece or the one with the cotter pin puller. I definitely didn’t use the right tool yesterday to pull one.
Jared
Speaking of useful pick ends, the “complex” tip has become the one I use the most often. I wouldn’t have thought that from looking at it, but it’s very handy.
Adam
Oops. Didn’t really answer the question. 8-piece set. That 3rd one down in the pic has the same end I referenced above.
Was hoping for a deal on the Milwaukee picks, but like the GW selection a lot more
Jared
The Gearwrench pick and hook sets look pretty good. I like the look of that 7 piece set myself.
I recently bought an Ullman set from Grainger to help with replacing some hydraulic seals on one of my tractors. They are EXCELLENT for the price (they were like $10, when Amazon wanted nearly $30 – that never happens), but have very skinny aluminum handles. Sometimes that’s helpful for precision work, but I can foresee times when I’ll wish for screwdriver-style handles instead. Probably even more so for larger picks.
I have some cheap precision picks too. There’s no way to be gentle about this: I hate them. The steel is too soft and so the fine points all bend. I just grind them pointy again – but really should be made of some good carbon steel to be useful. It can be so frustrating to try and pull or pry something out and have the tip just bend over.
MM
I know exactly what you mean about the frustration with the unhardened ones bending so easily.
I have an ancient set of Generals that I bought back when I was a teenager, these are quite long and double-ended with a narrow aluminum handle in the center, and a shorter set of Snap-On that resemble the short 4-pc set above. I can’t complain about any of them.
One thing I found very odd about one of the assortments above: it has a “hose tool” in it, but it’s also super short. I’ve found hose tools to be handy, but I’ve never seen one that short before. If I could get my hand close enough to a hose to use that tool then I wouldn’t need the tool at all. In my opinion the hose tool needs to be long in order for it to be worthwhile.
Stuart
There’s a sweet spot when it comes to heat treatment. Too hard and the metal becomes brittle and breaks too easily. Too soft and you get poor edge retention and easily deformable hooks.
There are other things that can go wrong, such as shafts that twist or pull out from the handles.
So far, I think that Gearwrench does everything right – the hook seems strong but not brittle, and it’s very nicely shaped and sharpened out of the package. I also appreciate that they protected the tip with plastic tubing, which reduces the chance of any damage before the tool gets to your door.
I like my Ullman picks (Craftsman branded), but the handles are indeed very thin and basic.
Gearwrench uses their smaller screwdriver handles on these mini picks, and presumably their larger handles on their heavy duty and larger sized hooks and picks.
I would absolutely get Ullman again, but I want – need – more of these Gearwrench in my kit as well. I really like it so far, and I think such sentiments will only grow in time.
Daniel
Everything on the Ullman site is showing Sold Out. Not sure what is going on.
Jared
Maybe try Amazon, Grainger or Zoro? Perhaps Ullman is just not selling direct at the moment. Could be supply chain problems or a business model switch.
Grainger.com has the set I bought for $8 (PH-4). The CHP6-LP set, which looks even better, is on Amazon for $13 (6 piece versus 4 – and nicer handles).
These are more like long precision picks. I really like how strong they are, but the handles are skinny; it’s not what you want to pull a hose, for example.
I think Ullman has some really good value products – but I’m not sure if they even have a style with screwdriver handles like this Gearwrench set.
Mayhew is worth checking out too. They are considerably more expensive however, but very nice. Mayhew makes picks for Snap-on.
fred
If you need insulated – you might look at these:
https://www.1000vtools.com/1000v_Pick_Hook_Set.html
If you need longer – Proto makes some 20+ inch long ones:
https://www.zoro.com/proto-puller-pick-20-12-in-j2386/i/G5374126/
There are also specialized sorts – with ball tips made for rubber gaskets. Equalizer is one brand for these.
fred
Here is one ball-end hook:
https://www.amazon.com/Self-Locking-Rubber-Gasket-Tool/dp/B00FHAX71W/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=B00FHAX71W&qid=1623535549&s=automotive&sr=1-1
and another shape:
https://www.equalizer.com/Products/ProductDetail/1847
Leo B.
The 7 piece set looks intriguing. I’ve bent lower quality picks and hooks, and a nicer set would be very handy. The cotter pin puller would be nice; there’s one I struggle with fairly often. Thanks for the opportunity to win, and all the giveaways you’ve been doing!
Jake
I would use the 7pc hook and pick set for tool restoration. I am 13 years old, and I am getting into restoring antique hand tools. These would be great for picking corrosion out of screw heads, or picking up very small pieces. I am exited to enter!
William P
I would use the 7-piece shorter set for all sorts of stuff on my old Cherokee from 1978. It’s super hard to get into these small crevices. These tools are awesome. I would equally use the 8 PC long set as well. To get hoses off and to help with restoring all sorts of items like the carpet and headliners.
William P
The 8pc long set would be great for scraping all the rust off the chassis of the cars, moving in and out if the gears of the transmission. Fixing the outdoor equipment also.
Dave
I would go with 7 pc set since I will be needing the cotter pin puller. I just purchased the long piece set since I have an immediate use for it.
mattd
I would use the 8 piece long set, as I have had to, in a pinch, cut the handle off a harborfreight pick and then weld a longer rod to it to get into a tight place.
A W
I have a set of standard Craftsman picks, but I think I’d go with the 7 piece set.
Those would be really helpful next time I change out hoses on my Land Cruiser.
TonyT
The one I’ve added to my Amazon wish list is the 7 pc set, because of the variety of tools, and I think the shorter tools would be more useful for me (control over reach). I don’t have any particular applications in mind, but it’s good to have tools when you need them for prying, scratching, holding, etc.
YJ
I would get the short set for removing different fixtures around the house I plan to change over.
MoogleMan3
How would you say these compare to the husky ones? I have a bunch of those.
Stuart
The Husky 7pc set has a good reputation, and the 7pc set they offer should work well for most users.
I bought Husky scrapers last holiday season, but not the hook and pick set. Or if I did, I lost track of it, which sometimes happens in the chaos of the holiday season.
One of the differences is that Gearwrench offers more options – heavy duty and extended length picks, and also individual sizes. I bought just a curved hook from Gearwrench, but you cannot do that with Husky right now.
Did you have any complaints about the Husky set?
MoogleMan3
That husky set is the exact one i have; no complaints. They’re holding up well. I do like some of the longer gearwrench picks though. I may have to grab a couple.
Gordon
I would probably find the 7 piece the most useful. It seems to cover most case where you would need a pick or awl.
The thing about picks is that you never really know when you’re going to need one. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve needed a pick. But I always make do with some makeshift tool that either beats the parts up or impales my hand. Picks are one of those “I’ll get a set next time” tools that I never seem to buy.
Most recently I needed to get an internal spring clip out. My clip pliers could only pinch it enough to start to remove it, but they couldn’t pill it all the way out. Every other tool would just push the clip back into place. I may or may not have taken an older flathead screwdriver to the portaband to make a makeshift pick.
Andy
I’m in love with my Mayhew picks. They make a 4 piece miniature set that I use several times a week.I abuse them regularly and they have yet to give up on me.
Jared
Mayhew makes nice stuff.
Jim Felt
They’re my Mayhew favorite size too. I’ve never really needed the larger models.
Marko
The small set might be useful for tennis racquet stringing.
DML
I’d go for the Gearwrench 7pc hook & pick set since it’s something new to me. The mini variants will complement what I have already and the other three look strong for heavy duty tasks
Ex_dtw2003
I’m not the best judge of these tools but I recently got the 7 piece set and it feels really solid to me. Not cheap or flimsy at all and has a nice finish.
Jerry
The heavy duty 4 piece set would fill a void in my toolbox. I have a set of smaller ones but working on tractors and such bigger ones would be nice. I might also add that the hooked ones are great for working with springs.
Etienne
8 piece long just for those times my stubby, Moody brand picks don’t quite have the reach I need. Doesn’t happen that often, but big mitts make for difficult reach at times.
Hilton
I need to restore my 1965 Land Rover Series IIA so that 4 piece heavy duty will be just the ticket.
Will
Gearwrench’s 7 piece set (with the older style handles) is already something I use all the time. I’d bet that 4 piece heavy duty would see a lot of use for me
Matt the Hoople
If I were to get a set, it would likely be the 8 piece set. The reason is because I have a husky 4 piece mini set I bought because I needed to remove some o’rings when rebuilding some vintage Crosman air pistols. The Husky’s were inexpensive and work just fine. Now that I own them, I find lots of uses. Most recently used to dig the ball detent spring out of an old ratchet I disassembled to clean and lube. The use for the longer ones is unknown as of yet. I too see these as problem solvers for special situations. I could have used one last winter when I had to dig a mouse nest out from under the intake manifold on the wife’s car.
will l
I like the long ones they tend to come in the handiest i find. I have the older verison and like them a lot. they are comfortable the hand even when greasy
Dominic L
I would use the 8 piece set. I am trying to install new handles in a Pelican case. A hook and pick would come in handy, trying to remove the pins that hold in the latches.
Cifer
I’m currently restoring an old car and have almost no tools and no picks so at this point I don’t care which set you could give me. Beggars can’t be choosers and as an extra bonus what little tools (ITT) I have none are are Gearwrench.
Tom D
That heavy duty set looks nice – I have the Milwaukee hooks but they’re shorter and thinner – the larger ones look good for various “pull this off that” you encounter with seals and hoses on cars, etc.
Bob B.
I’d go with the seven pc set.
Smaller picks would be great for changing the o-ring on my Camry’s oil filter housing and changing o-rings on my pressure washer.
Gregory Sutton
The four piece set would meet my needs. Thanks.
MattW.
I have and use the ullman picks all the time. The one problem is they unscrew from the handle often and i could use some much longer ones with a more comfortable handle. The 4p long set would fill a void because the other day working inside a snowmobile engine there was a O ring DEEP inside the block and had to rig something that kinda worked but not really. I’m also interested in seeing the quality first hand vs ulllman, husky and other common brands.
Plain grainy
Not currently on my radar. But it looks like Gear Wrench did a nice job on them. I just received the Gear Wrench four piece pliers set. They look nice, used one as soon as it was delivered on an idler pulley. They have a very sleek construction. Very rigid, yet it doesn’t feel like your wielding a steel beam in your hand.
Garrett
I’ve got a short pick set that I’m happy with, but have fun into a few situations where they just barely weren’t long enough (manipulating a small lever or gear only accessible though an even smaller hole, grabbing a tiny spring that fell into a deep groove, etc). The 8pc long hook & pick set would be valuable to me for those situations.
DanB
Great timing. I bought their regular 7pc set two years ago and just yesterday had the best use case yet, a stubborn circlip on a lawnmower axle. The larger ice pick shaped one did a great job of letting me use another tool to leverage the clip around.
Really digging what Gearwrench are offering lately. I picked up the swing ratchets that were discussed the other day and they’re great. Enjoy being able to rotate them straight out and use them screwdriver style as well.
I’ll be going with set of the longer reach picks.
Plain grainy
Off topic: ; Looks like Festool is getting a little more normal. Acme tools now have the Festool 700 domino in stock.
fred
I got mine as a belated Christmas (2012) present. So glad I waited on the 700 rather than pouncing on the 500 when it came out earlier. The 700 can do practically everything the 500 can – and use the full range of domino sizes with aftermarket (Seneca Woodworking) accessories for the smaller sizes.
I can’t remember when I last used my table saw tenoning jig – and except for some chairs that I built – my Dowemax jig just accumulates dust not sawdust.
Woodpeckers has come out with a nifty looking jig to cut mortises for Festool-Sized dominos (loose tenons). You need to use it with a router and appropriately sized spiral-upcut bit. But, other than its ability to cut mortises at various angles, it seems way less convenient than the Domino machine. Like other Woodpeckers tools it is also not a cheap alternative.
https://www.woodpeck.com/morty-loose-tenon-jig.html
Plain grainy
Stuart had an article on May 14th, covered Metabo HPT 2HP 1/2” cordless router. Assuming Woodpeckers mortise jig works with all routers, we may have the first cordless Domino option. Still need a cordless companion vac.
Plain grainy
2 1/2 HP
Plain grainy
That’s 2 1/4 HP, sorry.
bob
i would opt for the long handled ones. i like that you, Stuart, stated the shafts are firmly embedded in the handles. huge improvement over the 4 piece gearwrench red/black handled set i bought years back. shafts easily pulled out of the handles.
took a look see at the amazon page for the 8 pc. a little truth in advertising, please.
”From our first specialty tool, the Model-T valve spring lifter,”.
didnt think gearwrench began existence until the mid 1990’s. armstrong, definitely.
Scott K
I would go with the 8 piece long set. I have an inexpensive set of standard-length Husky picks that work well for my needs. I’ve had more instances of, “I wish this was longer” than “I wish this was sturdier.” These are so nice to have for misc tasks like cleaning car seat crevices and working in super tight spaces.
Javier A.
The 8 piece long set is the one I’ve been eyeing recently. I previously bought a set of the screwdrivers with the new handles, and I REALLY like them. Much better than the old handle!
Nathan
I like the 7 piece kit with the hose pick and the cotter pin. I use a set of mini picks that I don’t know where they come from. but they screw into a metal handle and they work ok I don’t use them often.
when I do use them most is brake jobs – I use a bent pick to gently burp the rubber piston boots when I push back caliper pistons. easy, doesn’t damage the boots.
I have used a hose pick in the past – thought it was a nifty idea but never bought one. Just like I still don’t own some trim removal tools but I will one day.
Thanks again I need to fill out the giveaway form.
John
I would use the Gearwrench 8pc long hook & pick set to make jokes about picking my nose and for working on stuff around the house (especially my gas burning fireplace which always seems to need a pick whenever I have to do any sort of repair or maintenance)
This seems like the most useful kit for my needs. I have a basic Craftsman set already that is very OK, but the added length and strength of the Gearwrench seems like they would be great for situations where the Craftsman picks aren’t strong enough or long enough to access what I’m working on.
Thanks for the giveaway!
Josh Anderson
I would opt for the 7 piece set. I’ve been thinking about picking up a set of hooks/picks to add to my ever expanding tool box since Stuart before about them last time. I just haven’t gotten around to it. I’m a handyman and I’m sure they’d be a helpful addition to the arsenal!
Rob H
The 7 piece set is on sale for 18.44 currently!
GEARWRENCH 7 Pc. Hook & Pick Set – 84000H https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08528HPHP/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_N3GD6E86TG1FQ9G10MAC?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1