(This Old House) -- If you're thinking about buying hand tools for that lucky lady in your life -- or if that lady is you -- the home-improvement industry is clamoring to sell the long-neglected do-it-herselfer lightweight hammers and hacksaws with ergonomic grips.
Review: Barbara K Signature Tool Kit has a good selection of tools.
Curious to see how well the gender-specific tools performed, TOH asked three handywomen to put some popular kits to the test:
TOMBOY TRAVELER, $49.95
Source: TomboyTools.com
Tools: hammer, slip-joint pliers, utility knife, multi-bit ratchet screwdriver, tape measure, sanding block, level, hacksaw, carpenter's pencil, gloves, safety glasses
Tested by Alexandra Bandon, TOH senior editor
Pros: The gender-free bag and tool designs respect the idea that women don't want to be treated differently.
Cons: The 8-ounce hammer, 6-inch slip-joint pliers, and hacksaw are too small for many household projects. And the magnetic torpedo level isn't level in this kit.
What I'd change: I'd prefer larger locking pliers and a lightweight titanium 10-ounce hammer, which is both light and powerful. This Old House: Hammer Time
RUBBERMAID TOUGH TOOLS, $49.99
Source: Target.com
Tools: hammer, crescent wrench, level, tape measure, tongue-and-groove pliers, long-nose pliers, multi-bit ratchet screwdriver, picture hooks, nails, screws.
Tested by Leslie Monthan, TOH copy chief
Pros: Overall, the quality is very good, and the rubberized grips are hand-friendly.
Cons: The 16-ounce hammer is overkill for hanging pictures and underpowered for serious framing. And the nail, screw, and hook selection is paltry.
What I'd change: The kit could use a pair of multipurpose electrician's pliers, with strippers sized for different gauges of wire. This Old House: Nailsets
BARBARA K SIGNATURE TOOL KIT, $45.99
Source: Amazon.com
Tools: hammer, slip-joint pliers, adjustable wrench, painter's tool, tape measure, multi-bit screwdriver, 16 hex keys, level, picture hooks, nails, screws, anchors, home repair guide
Tested by Keen Gat, carpenter and set designer
Cons: The molded plastic case makes it impossible to fit anything else in there if I wanted to expand the kit.
Cons: The 6-inch adjustable crescent wrench is toylike with a stubby grip. And the jaws are loose and could slip off a nut.
Pros: The tool selection is pretty good. The 6-inch slip joint pliers and 6-in-1 screwdriver are well designed.
What I'd change: A manual on how to use the tools would be more helpful than the repair guide. Who really knows how to use all the different blades on the 6-in-1 painter's tool? This Old House: Adjustable Wrenches E-mail to a friend 
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