Crossword Genius

Strange laws on hand tools (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

awls

'hand tools' is the definition.
(awl is a kind of hand tool)

'strange laws' is the wordplay.
'strange' indicates an anagram.
'laws' with letters rearranged gives 'AWLS'.

'on' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for awls that I've seen before include "Laws about boring tools (4)" , "Small piercing tools" , "Tools for punching small holes" , "Pointed hand-tools" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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