Whether you like DIY or not, everyone needs these tools at home

It's nice when everything is in order: spanners with attachments are practical, but not a must. Photo: Lukas Barth/dpa

If you don't repair much at home, you don't need many tools. Not to put too fine a point on it, all that the DIY-deficient needs is a pocket knife equipped with a corkscrew, long-nose pliers, saw and slotted and crosstip screwdrivers.

"A (multi-tool) pocket knife works amazingly well. It's fascinating all the things you can do with it, and of course practical when you're out and about," says Peter Baruschke, who has tested numerous tools for a German do-it-yourself magazine.