Trademark Class 8: Hand Tools
Class 8 covers hand-operated hand tools and implements, cutlery, side arms other than firearms, and razors. Hand-tool makers, cutlery brands and grooming-device companies file here.
What class 8 covers
Class 8 of the Nice Classification covers: “Hand-operated hand tools and implements; cutlery; side arms, except firearms; razors.”” This is the official heading in the current edition, NCL 13-2026, in force since 1 January 2026.
WIPO’s explanatory note says class 8 mainly covers hand-operated tools and implements for tasks such as drilling, shaping, cutting and piercing. It includes hand-operated garden and farm tools; tools for carpenters and craftspersons, such as hammers and chisels; electric and non-electric implements for grooming and body art, such as razors and hair-curling, tattooing and manicure implements; hand pumps; and table cutlery.
Section 7 of the Trade Marks Act, 1999 has the Registrar classify goods in line with this international system. One surprise: electric razors and hair-curling implements sit in class 8, though they plug in.
Common goods in class 8
Workshop and garden tools
- Hammers, spanners and pliers
- Screwdrivers, chisels and files
- Hand-operated garden tools
Cutlery and knives
- Table knives, forks and spoons
- Kitchen knives and scissors
- Cutlery of precious metal
Grooming implements
- Razors and razor blades
- Electric and manual hair clippers
- Hair-curling implements
What is not in class 8
These goods belong elsewhere:
| Goods | Correct class |
|---|---|
| Motor-driven machine tools | Class 7 |
| Surgical cutlery | Class 10 |
| Bicycle tyre pumps | Class 12 |
| Firearms | Class 13 |
| Paper knives and paper shredders for office use | Class 16 |
| Handles for walking sticks and umbrellas | Class 18 |
| Serving utensils and kitchen implements | Class 21 |
| Pumps for game balls and fencing weapons | Class 28 |
Who usually files in class 8
Hand-tool manufacturers
Makers of spanners, pliers, hammers and garden tools, often exporters selling under their own brand.
Cutlery and knife brands
Makers of steel cutlery, kitchen knives and scissors, and premium silver cutlery sellers.
Grooming-device brands
Companies selling razors, trimmers, hair-curling implements and manicure kits.
Tips before filing
Search the register in class 8
Run a search on the IP India register in class 8 and nearby classes. The free search at tmrsearch.ipindia.gov.in takes one class at a time.
Check whether the tool is worked by hand
A hand drill is class 8 and an electric drill is class 7. Grooming implements are the exception: electric or not, they stay in class 8. In practice, a Faridabad tool exporter adding cordless drills to its spanner range needs class 7 as well.
Write a specification you will actually use
List the goods you sell or plan to sell, in the Registry’s wording. Goods you never sell can be removed for non-use under Section 47 after five years on the register.
File Form TM-A and watch the examination
File online in Form TM-A. If the examiner raises an issue, a clear reply to the examination report keeps the application moving.
Frequently asked questions
Is an electric beard trimmer in class 8 or class 7?
An electric trimmer is class 8. WIPO’s explanatory note places electric and non-electric hand implements for personal grooming, such as razors and hair-curling implements, in class 8. Power tools for work, like electric drills, remain in class 7. So a grooming brand selling trimmers, razors and nail kits can cover them all in class 8. Shaving cream and aftershave would still need class 3.
Do I need classes other than class 8?
You need another class only if the brand covers goods outside class 8. A single application can cover several classes under Section 18(2) of the Trade Marks Act, 1999, with the fee paid per class. A tool brand selling power tools adds class 7, and a kitchen brand selling ladles and serving utensils adds class 21. A grooming brand selling shaving cream needs class 3.
What is the government fee to file a trademark in class 8?
The fee is ₹4,500 per class if you e-file as an individual, startup or small enterprise, and ₹9,000 per class for everyone else. Each class is charged separately, so class 8 plus one more class means two fees. We confirm your category before filing, so you pay the right amount.
Can I file in class 8 before I start selling?
Yes. Section 18(1) of the Trade Marks Act, 1999 lets you apply for a mark that is used or proposed to be used. You file on a “proposed to be used” basis, and your application date fixes your place in the queue. Anyone filing a similar mark later stands behind you. Once sales begin, keep invoices and labels as proof of use.
How long does a class 8 registration last?
A registration lasts ten years and can be renewed every ten years without limit under Section 25 of the Trade Marks Act, 1999. The ten years run from the application date, not the certificate date. Renewal is filed in Form TM-R, and a missed expiry can still be fixed within one year through surcharge or restoration.
What it costs
Our fee plus the government fee that applies to your case, quoted before you commit. Tell us the situation and we will price it exactly.
| Form TM-A, per class | E-filing | Paper filing |
|---|---|---|
| Individual, startup or small enterprise | ₹4,500 | ₹5,000 |
| All other applicants | ₹9,000 | ₹10,000 |
Official IP India fees, charged per class.
Ready to begin?
Share your tool, cutlery or grooming range and we will confirm the class, search the register and file your class 8 application.