Finding unusual tools and quirky items just got a lot easier

In the creation of most of our Shadow Foam Youtube content, we've found ourselves searching high and low for the best tools. Every now and again, we come across something a little quirky or different. And when we find unusual tools we love to share them with people. While doing this, we've kind of become known for our impartial and honest tool reviews and we had an increasing number of people asking us where they could find many of the tools we featured. So from that, Top Notch Tools was born.

Who are Top Notch Tools?

In 2024 Top Notch Tools were born. Set up and created by the team behind Shadow Foam, it took founder Jonathan's in-depth knowledge of the industry and passion for innovative and quality tools, and offered a platform on which to share them. Since it's launch more brands and tools have been added and this is set to continue to grow as we find more tools to add.

"We source hard to find tools"

It's not just adding unusual tools to the catalogue. Everything they find is curated by Jonathan. It needs to pass muster in terms of being significantly different, interesting or quirky enough to be added to the portfolio of unusual tools. But importantly too, the price and consistency of quality has to be right too, as does the brand's ability to supply the products in line with demand.

So far they've added items from Magnum Tools, Sata and BMI with more items being added to the ranges all the time. 

Where do Top Notch Tools find their products?

That could be anywhere! In the process of filming Shadow Foam content, our travels take us far and wide. Certainly throughout the length and breadth of the UK, out to Europe and now frequently to the USA where even supermarkets can unearth a whole heap of hidden tool treasures.

While there, we spend a lot of time trawling home improvement and hardware stores, of course. But additionally spend a lot of time at trade fairs and exhibitions. We've long since been known for keeping our finger on the pulse of everything new in the world of tools, and our network amongst many of the tool brands is pretty vast.

We've even been known to trawl car boot sales and vintage tool markets in our pursuit for unusual tools and quirky items to add to our collections. Often even this can spark creative ideas for tools we'd like to share with others. Re-using and re-purposing is a big draw for us. So places selling pre-loved tools is always a win. Wherever possible we love to buy used items but of course you won't find those on Top Notch Tools where everything is new. 

With the increasing quality of sustainable tools, this is potentially going to be a big area for future development for the brand too, so watch this space. And of course budget is a big consideration for many of us now too, so finding budget tools to add to the range will be an important factor.

What unusual tools will we find at Top Notch Tools

The range is growing all the time. We're sourcing new items to compliment the range all the time. Presently, our biggest sellers have been the super compact measures we found from Magnum Tools. But their easy-grip pliers have been popular items too. 

An innovative all-in-one level and rule will be coming to the shelves really soon. As will a couple of adjustable wrench options which caught our eye. 

This is not set to be the fastest growing collection of tools you've seen. But it will be one of the most considered, and useful ones. All perfectly curated for discerning tool fans like us and sourced from the best quality suppliers. So if you see anything that captures your interest and you think might be worth us taking a look at, then we'd love to hear from you.