Abstract: A hand tool such as a knife or a combination tool includes multiple blades, each independently rotatable on a common axle between a closed position within a handle of the tool and an open position extending from the handle. Each blade is positively but releasably locked into its open position. Those blades which remain closed are biased toward the closed position when the opened blade is locked into position and also as it is opened and closed. A single locking, releasing, and biasing mechanism serves all of the blades in one handle.

Abstract: A self-adjusting pliers is operable to grasp a workpiece between an upper jaw and a lower jaw. The pliers includes an upper arm having the upper jaw and a lower arm, with the lower jaw linked to the lower arm but not integral with the lower arm. A control arm has a first end and a second end. The first end of the control arm has a first pivotable connection to the upper arm adjacent to an end of the upper arm remote from the upper jaw, and the second end of the control arm has a second pivotable connection to the lower arm at an intermediate location along the length of the lower arm. An upper control arm pivot pin provides the pivotable connection between the first end of the control arm and the upper arm, and a spring biases the control arm so as to resist rotation of the control arm about the upper control arm pivot pin. A support extends downwardly from the upper arm toward the lower arm and has a guide thereon.

Abstract: A hand tool such as a knife or a combination tool includes multiple blades, each independently rotatable on a common axle between a closed position within a handle of the tool and an open position extending from the handle. Each blade is positively but releasably locked into its open position. Those blades which remain closed are biased toward the closed position when the opened blade is locked into position and also as it is opened and closed. A single locking, releasing, and biasing mechanism serves all of the blades in one handle.

Abstract: A self-adjusting pliers has an upper arm with an upper jaw at a first end and an upper handle at a second end. A support extends downwardly from an intermediate location of the upper arm. The support has a first downwardly extending slot and a second downwardly extending slot that is parallel to the first downwardly extending slot and closer to the upper handle than the first downwardly extending slot. The second downwardly extending slot has a plurality of second-slot teeth on a side thereof adjacent to the first downwardly extending slot. A lower arm includes a first end, and a lower handle at a second end. A control arm is pivotably connected at a first end to the upper handle and at a second end to the lower arm at an intermediate location between the first end and the lower handle. A spring is affixed at a first end to the upper arm at a location adjacent to the first end thereof, and affixed at a second end to the control arm so as to resist rotation of the control arm.

Abstract: A hand tool such as a knife or a combination tool includes multiple blades, each independently rotatable on a common axle between a closed position within a handle of the tool and an open position extending from the handle. Each blade is positively but releasably locked into its open position. Those blades which remain closed are biased toward the closed position when the opened blade is locked into position and also as it is opened and closed. A single locking, releasing, and biasing mechanism serves all of the blades in one handle.

Abstract: A hand tool includes a pliers jaw mechanism and two solid-body handles that pivot about the lugs of the jaw mechanism between open and closed positions. The ends of the solid-body handles are in the form of implements. The externally facing surfaces of the handles are dished to conform to the sides of the jaw mechanism when the handles are closed. The jaw lugs include cam surfaces over which corresponding surfaces of the solid-body handles ride to provide detents for the handles in the open and closed positions. The jaw lugs include facing protrusions that define a key ring when the handles are in the closed position. The face of the hand tool presents a broad, generally planar surface suitable for the imprinting of information thereon.

Abstract: A hand tool includes a pliers jaw mechanism and two solid-body handles that pivot about the lugs of the jaw mechanism between open and closed positions. The ends of the solid-body handles are in the form of implements. The externally facing surfaces of the handles are dished to conform to the sides of the jaw mechanism when the handles are closed. The jaw lugs include cam surfaces over which corresponding surfaces of the solid-body handles ride to provide detents for the handles in the open and closed positions. The jaw lugs include facing protrusions that define a key ring when the handles are in the closed position. The face of the hand tool presents a broad, generally planar surface suitable for the imprinting of information thereon.

Abstract: The blade of a folding knife is pivoted on a D-shaped pivot axle which also serves to lock the side pieces and belt clip of the knife in place. A thumb pin used to open the blade is also D-shaped and press fit into place in the blade. The blade has transverse grooves at its base to aid in extracting the knife from a sheath. The blade is locked into place by a side-lock plate, which is held in place by ridges in the side pieces. The side pieces are preferably made of rigid plastic, but with soft inserts in the sides for improved gripping.

Abstract: A hand tool such as a knife or a combination tool includes multiple blades, each independently rotatable on a common axle between a closed position within a handle of the tool and an open position extending from the handle. Each blade is positively but releasably locked into its open position. Those blades which remain closed are biased toward the closed position when the opened blade is locked into position and also as it is opened and closed. A single locking, releasing, and biasing mechanism serves all of the blades in one handle.

Abstract: A folding knife has a knife body and at least two blades pivotably mounted to the knife body. The blades are independently movable between a closed position within the knife body and an open position extended from the knife body. The blades are locked in the open position and released from the locking with a single hand of the user. The knife includes a blade selector feature which allows the user to select which blade is to be opened by rolling the knife about the knife longitudinal axis in the single hand of the user, and tactile coding so that the user can identify the position of the knife from its feel in the hand.