Father’s Day gift ideas

A closer look: Vacuum first, then work the shampoo into one seat at a time, testing it on a hidden patch of fabric before tackling anything obvious. Save the glass until last so any stray spray from the other products gets wiped away; Fast Glass is fine on plastic windows too. A pack of microfibre cloths makes a useful extra in the gift bag.

Why we picked it: From Autoglym, the British car-care brand car people already trust, and it covers the whole interior, from dashboard to seats.

• Interior shampoo
• Fast Glass cleaner
• Vinyl and rubber care

What owners say: Seats come up looking brand new, the glass cleaner cuts through grime, and it smells good too.

A closer look: Left-handed gardeners can use them as easily as right-handers, which isn’t true of every pair. A quick wipe of the blades after pruning helps the non-stick coating keep sap from building up, and at around 230g they’re light enough to carry in a pocket through a whole afternoon of deadheading.

Why we picked it: Japanese SK5 steel blades that slice through stems up to 25mm cleanly, which keeps plants healthier than a crushing cut.

• Japanese SK5 steel
• Cuts up to 25mm
• Lightweight aluminium handles
• Squeeze-to-release lock

What owners say: Extremely sharp and comfortable. Owners say they go through thick stems like a knife through butter.

A closer look: A small amount goes a long way, rubbed well into knuckles and fingertips after the last hand wash of the day. Being unscented, it suits anyone who finds floral hand creams too much, and the tube is small enough to leave by the shed door or in a coat pocket. Tuck it in alongside new gardening gloves as a stocking filler.

Why we picked it: A concentrated cream made for dry, cracked hands. Gardeners and builders swear by it.

• Highly concentrated
• For dry, cracked skin
• Glycerin barrier
• 80ml tube

What owners say: Works almost instantly on cracked hands and soaks in quickly.

A closer look: Tighten the wrist strap before clearing hedge cuttings or leaf litter so debris can’t drop inside. Split leather dries stiff after a soaking, so let wet gloves dry slowly at room temperature, away from the radiator, and flex them in your hands afterwards. Being heat resistant, they also cope with a wood stove door or tending a fire pit.

• Split cowhide leather
• Cotton lining
• Reinforced palm
• Adjustable wrist

What owners say: Thorn-proof, heavy-duty and well insulated. Owners use them for everything from roses to log piles.

A closer look: A hold function freezes the reading, so you can pull the probe out of a hot oven and check the number away from the heat. Rinse the probe under the tap after each use, and now and then dip it in iced water to see whether it needs recalibrating. It switches itself off when left idle, so a forgotten thermometer won’t flatten the battery.

Why we picked it: Reads in two seconds, so the barbecue is no longer a guessing game. At under a tenner, it’s the gadget cooks wish they’d bought years ago.

• Reads in 1–3 seconds
• Accurate to ±0.5°C
• Waterproof (IPX6)
• Magnetic back
• Backlit screen

What owners say: Fast, accurate and easy to read. Several owners say it matches thermometers costing far more.

A closer look: Bulb planting is where it shines: push it in, rock it to open a slot, and read the depth off the blade, since most bulbs want about two to three times their own height of soil above them. The saw-toothed edge cuts through matted roots when dividing perennials, and the holster’s belt loop keeps it on the hip rather than lost in the border.

Why we picked it: From Spear & Jackson, making tools in Sheffield since 1760. The Japanese-style hori hori digs, weeds, cuts and measures planting depth.

• Stainless steel blade
• Straight and serrated edges
• Depth markings
• Holster included

What owners say: Well made and sturdy, and brilliant for digging out stubborn weeds.

A closer look: A magnetic tip holds tiny screws as they come out, but drop each one into a saucer as you go, because a glasses screw can vanish into carpet in seconds. The swivel cap on top of the handle lets you steady the driver with one finger while you turn, and the suction cup, SIM pin and dust brush earn their place on phone fixes.

Why we picked it: Thirty precision bits plus spudgers and tweezers: it opens phones, glasses, laptops and kids’ toys.

• 30 precision bits
• Torx, Phillips, pentalobe, tri-wing
• Spudgers and tweezers
• Compact case

What owners say: Everything you need for small fiddly jobs, with solid build quality for the price.

A closer look: Sizes run UK 6–8, 9–11 and 12–15, so check their shoe size before ordering. Being this thick, they fill out roomy boots and wellies nicely but can make snug work shoes feel tight. Reinforced heels and toes help them survive a winter of hard wear, and they just go in with the normal wash.

Why we picked it: Five pairs with thick terry cushioning, for boots, wellies and anyone whose feet are always cold.

• Thick terry loop
• Cushioned sole
• 80% cotton
• 5 pairs

What owners say: Super thick and warm, with a good fit, and they don’t slip down.

A closer look: Soak the stones for 10 to 15 minutes before starting and keep some water handy to splash on as you go. For routine sharpening the 1000 side is usually enough, with 400 saved for chips and very dull blades, and the finer stone for polishing. Practise on an old knife first, and use the flattening stone now and then to keep the surfaces level.

Why we picked it: Two double-sided stones, a bamboo base, an angle guide and a flattening stone: everything to get knives sharper than new.

• 4 grits: 400 to 8000
• Bamboo non-slip base
• Angle guide for beginners
• Flattening stone included
• Water stones, no oil needed

What owners say: Works brilliantly and brings tired knives back to razor sharp.

A closer look: Everything comes ready ground, so it won’t suit a bean-to-cup machine that grinds its own beans; check how they brew before buying. Brew each origin the same way, one at a time, and the differences between, say, Brazil and Ethiopia really stand out. Once a pack is open, fold it tight, clip it and keep it in a cool cupboard.

Why we picked it: Six single-origin coffees from around the world, so he can work out whether he’s a Colombia man or an Ethiopia man.

• 6 single origins
• Ground, ready to brew
• Vacuum-packed
• Gift box

What owners say: Great variety and lovely fresh taste, and it looks smart enough to give as it is.

Heads up: The bags are tasting size (50g each), so it’s a sampler rather than a month’s supply.