We recently made our annual pilgrimage to the “show of shows” – that is, when it comes to tools and hardware – the 2003 National Hardware Show. We joined 30,000 hardware store owners, hardware and home center buyers, and industry professionals for a look at the latest and greatest in hardware, tools and building products showcased in nearly one half million square feet of exhibit space.

As has been the case in prior years, there was an abundance of hand and power tools, hardware, nuts and bolts, fasteners, paint, stain, garden equipment and supplies, storage solutions, and pet products -- to name only a few. However, it was clear at this year’s event that, in general, tools were more powerful, they performed multiple tasks more readily, and they were lighter and more ergonomic.

For example, new-fangled paint brushes with ergonomically-designed handles make gripping a paint brush more comfortable and can get into tight spots where a brush with a traditional handle can’t venture. The old-fashioned wooden and plastic handles of putty knives, paint scrapers, wire brushes, and sanding blocks are being replaced by ergonomically-designed, cushion-grip-handles that reduce injury and improve comfort. As the do-it-yourself craze continues, manufacturers are turning out tools that can take a beating without breaking the bank. Plus, with an array of bright colors and sleek designs, today’s tools look as cool as the projects they are used on.

Improved ergonomics, sleek design, and colorful finishes are not limited to hand and power tools. Lawn and garden tools and cleaning equipment have also followed suit. Take the case of Delta Ergo, a division of Delta Industries (800-435-7338). They have created the "Smart Handle", a new line of mops, brooms, rakes and snow pushers that work with the body’s natural range of motion, allowing the repetitive movements of cleaning and gardening to be carried out more effectively. The tools have a unique strain-reducing handle that places one’s wrist in a neutral working position and uses the strongest muscles; it features a strong pliable grip as well as swivel and adjustable-height handles to reduce back stress. And yes, the "Smart Handle" tools are colorful!

Love that "new car" smell, but hate the smell of fresh paint? Scentco™ has developed “Paint Pourri,” an air freshening paint additive that provides a pleasant, long-lasting fragrance and helps neutralize odors – including that of fresh paint. It’s even simpler than it sounds... just empty a 1oz. pouch into a gallon of paint. Mix it in, and, voila, your freshly painted space will smell like a bed of wildflowers – or one of the other seven fragrances offered. They also manufacture “Wiper Breeze,” a fluid additive that refreshes the interior of your car every time you spray your windshield. Amazing!

Are you storage-challenged? Running out of room to store fertilizers, insecticides, tools and garden equipment? Tired of carrying them from the garage or storage shed to the backyard, where you use them most often? Here’s one that will cause you to say, "Why didn’t I think of that?" Smallrock Designs, LLC has come up with the READI-StorageRock, a large faux garden boulder (similar to those found at a theme park) that doubles as a weatherproof storage container. At approximately five feet wide, four feet deep, and two feet high, the container has plenty of room (13 cubic feet) for lots of tools and garden materials. Its gas-spring hinges make accessing your tools a breeze. No one will ever know that your shovel, rake, and peat moss are stored neatly in the shade of that old pine tree at one end of your lawn!

If you’ve ever painted, you know that the biggest chores involved in a painting project are the preparation and cleanup. Rinsing out brushes, rollers, and trays can take lots of time -- and they can also degrade the brush or roller cover. With this in mind, Golden Harvest Home Décor is introducing the “Close-N-Go Covered Paint Tray.” This unique paint tray actually consists of two side-by-side trays that are hinged at the center -- similar to a clamshell. When open, one tray is used to load a roller, while the other side is used to hold paint cans and brushes to prevent drips and spills. When closed, the greenhouse effect reduces air flow and keeps rollers, brushes, and paint fresh for days, thus eliminating the need for daily cleanup. Why didn’t we think of that?

If you like tools and nifty gadgets, you’ll love the Carpenter’s Pal. The Carpenter’s Pal is unique in that it is a true combination of several tools in one. It has a level, a square, a squangle, a ruler... and even a pencil holder! The Carpenter's Pal is great for measuring pitches and slopes, determining angles for miter cuts, performing horizontal leveling and vertical plumbing, squaring up corners, and framing layout. You can find the right pitch, angle and level for any home improvement project just by using this tool!

Not all of the products at the National Hardware Show were tools. Many of the products were novelty items that focused on gardening, nature, and pets. For instance, if you love the outdoors (camping or hunting in particular), you’ll love the “Head-Lite” cap. As the name implies, the Head-Lite cap looks and feels like a standard baseball cap... with one exception. Positioned front and center is an 80,000-candle-power halogen light that acts as a flashlight. The light, which illuminates up to 40 feet, can be adjusted to four positions. The cap comes in various colors and patterns and can even be monogrammed! We’ve seen many adaptations of this contraption, but none come close to the sleek construction and powerful operation of the Head-Lite.

Do you have a home, cabin or business that is located where frozen pipes are a concern? If so, you will be especially interested in the “Freeze Alarm” from Control Products, Inc. The Freeze Alarm monitors the temperature of an unoccupied home, cabin, or business. If the temperature drops below 45 degrees Fahrenheit, the device will automatically dial up to three pre-programmed telephone numbers to alert you of a potential disaster. In addition to all of the features of the basic model, the deluxe model is able to warm up your home, cabin, or business by telephone. Plus, it will monitor other alarms such as a flood sensor or motion detector. This device takes a lot of worry out of having a vacation home in the snow!

The National Hardware Show always proves to be an exciting and information-packed event, and this year was no exception. We can hardly wait until next year, and we're sure you can’t either!