Sometimes People Need Some Helping in Reaching Things
My husband is picking up a container of foot powder he dropped. |
Why the Handi-Reacher is the Best Reacher-Grabber
Handi-Reacher Picking up Pill |
At the end of the grabber claw is a small magnet that helps attract metal screws, tacks, nails, and other small metal objects so you can pick them up easily. The lower part of the claw also has grooves on the surface to keep objects from slipping. In the photo above Hubby is picking up a small pill he dropped on the floor. Below is photo of this action from a different angle. Do you see the little knob at the top of the reacher? That is to aid in dressing. I haven't used that yet because I've not yet needed it.
Handi-Reacher Grasping Pill |
Don't Get a Reacher Like My Old One
I know there are some cheaper reachers available, and one of them may suit you better than the Handi-Reacher. I knew my husband's worked and I kept looking until I found it. I hadn't tested the other ones. I can tell you which one not to get, though. Don't get one that looks like my old one pictured below.
Old Reacher that Doesn't Work |
After a while, it just stopped working. See that space at the end of the
Old Reacher's Bent Handle |
Frozen Jaw of Old Reacher |
In the Handi-Reacher, all of these parts that can bend and break so easily are protected by hard plastic or what appears to be a strong aluminum tube. Don't buy anything with an exposed wire and parts like you see in my photos of my old reacher. In this picture to the left you will also see that the inside of the old reacher's jaw is smooth instead of grooved like the Handi-Reacher. The groves help the object you are grabbing stay intact in the jaw until you can get it.
Handi-Reacher 50-1140 Handi-Reacher, Standard 24Check Price
This is kit is another option with high customer ratings for those of you who may need additional help after a hip replacement. It's especially designed to help you. It includes not only a reacher, but also aids for putting on socks and shoes, a long-handled bath sponge, and a dressing tool. Check it out before hip surgery. My husband still uses a long shoe horn and a sock tool when dressing, and it's been over ten years since his surgery.
Sammons Preston 49850 Complete Hip Replacement Kit, 24Check Price
If your knees or back make it hard for you to bend to pick up objects, the Handi-Reacher or the Hip Replacement Recovery Kit may be just the friend you need. If you have trouble reaching a shelf above your head, you will also find these reaching tools useful. Why wait another day to get your Handi-Reacher to start making your life easier?
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
This really would be a very handy item for any home! I have often thought I needed some type of grabber to get things that fall behind the dryer or behind other large pieces of furniture that are too heavy to move. Thank you for the recommendation. Buying one that was flimsy or that would break easily would simply be a waste of money.
ReplyDeleteWe inherited the flimsy ones. We bought the good ones.
DeleteImpressive! My husband has a reacher that he carries with him on the lawn tractor to pick up/move small limbs or other things that are in the way and it works pretty well. He'll need another, better one when he has his inevitable hip replacement surgery. Really appreciate this very impressive review!
ReplyDeleteWe use our reachers every day. I pays to get a good one the first time.
DeleteNow this is a great idea, I'm always reaching on the top shelf for my wife, as she is only 5' tall. What a hand tool for around the house, Amazed how it picks up that small pill. Thanks for the review.
ReplyDeleteI made my husband demonstrate that in the photos because it's not what one would expect a reacher to do. it's the next best thing to a long arm with a hand on the end.
DeleteI have never even heard of a reacher before, but now that I've read this page, I definitely want one. Thanks for letting us know which one works and what to avoid. It would come in handy for those times I really don't want to get out of my desk chair to get something on the other side of the room.
ReplyDeleteIt's only 24" long so you still might not be able to reach across the room. You could extend your arm's length by two feet, though.
DeleteI know how handy a reacher/grabber can be. Being only 5 feet tall, there are many times I cannot reach something on a top shelf. I can still bend over for dropped items, but there will come a day..... :) Hubby used to use one to pick up the dozens upon dozens of pine cones in our front yard when we had a house with a whole row (6) of pine trees someone planted right smack down the center. He'd pick up the fallen pine cones with the grabber before mowing the lawn. Certainly saved his back! Thanks for this great review.
ReplyDelete