Crossword Genius

Is very critical of return of metal tools? (3-5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

nit-picks

'is very critical of' is the definition.
(to nit-pick is to be critical)

'return of metal tools?' is the wordplay.
'return of' says the letters should be written backwards.
'metal' becomes 'tin' (tin is a kind of metal).
'tools?' becomes 'picks' (pick is a kind of tool).
'tin' reversed gives 'nit'.
'nit'+'picks'='NIT-PICKS'

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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