What to look for…

When shopping for a set of T-handle hex keys

DESIGN

Some hex keys have longer main sections while others have shorter ones. If you envisage using yours for meaty jobs, such as fork clamps, then a longer main section will allow you to generate greater torque than a shorter one

SIZES

Depending on what you want them for, a wider selection of sizes is useful. For example, you might want one set to do everything from carburettor or fuel-injection fittings up to fork clamps and everything in between. 4mm and 5mm will likely see the most use

STORAGE

You may decide to house these loose in your toolbox, in which case, storage options are of no interest. However, you may decide to keep them closer to hand, in which case a stand or rack that can be wall-mounted is useful to make them easily accessible

HANDLE

Ideally, look for handles made from two materials; a hard plastic to house the metal Allen key and a softer version where your hand goes. This will offer the best combination of strength and comfort in use

MATERIAL

Inevitably, the main metal sections will likely be chrome-vanadium steel, an alloy of steel. This could either be in a gloss or matt finish and is perfect for hand tools, as it will resist corrosion and has good hardness and rigidity

BALL-ENDS

While the shorter section of hex-bar (the part that will generate the highest torque for releasing tight fasteners) will usually be a flat end, a ball-end on the longer section (which is used more for speed than torque) means you can access tricky fasteners from an angle

DISPLAY

A small thing but having the size of the hex printed on each wrench is really useful, especially if you are working from a manual and it specifies what size of fastener you need