Kobalt and Matco

[eschoendorff]

Has anyone noticed that the current Kobalt wrenches at Lowes look a lot like a satin version of the Matco series of wrenches? I know that they are both produced by Danaher, but I am curious as to the actual differences. In all fairness, the Matco wrench that I was comparing the Kobalt to was probably an older vintage, but even the type fonts on the wrench stampings were curiously similar...
ttt

[OH-MAN]

I have used some kobalt tools and for the money they seem to be good quality.
I believe in the get what you pay for saying and these work well.

[Stuey]

Hmm Kobalt's wrenches are still satin despite Lowes bringing in more and more distinct danaher style tools (e.g. the teardrop ratchets).

;) Since everyone's bringing random threads back unknowingly, I'll revive this one intentionally!

[Crawlin]

I have full Kobalt sets of wrenches up to 25mm and 1". The quality is nice for the money but I am no wild about the finish, looks cheap and feels wierd. I will be replacing them with some knuckle savers one day.

[Fedwrench]

Has anyone noticed that the current Kobalt wrenches at Lowes look a lot like a satin version of the Matco series of wrenches? I know that they are both produced by Danaher, but I am curious as to the actual differences. In all fairness, the Matco wrench that I was comparing the Kobalt to was probably an older vintage, but even the type fonts on the wrench stampings were curiously similar...
ttt

I wouldn't say Matco but, I would say they're an exact match for satin finished KD, Allen, and Napa wrenches to name a few. In fact, except for the name, they're identical. I've never seen a satin finished Matco wrench but, that's just me.

[davestlouis]

On the ratchet side, the normal-handled ratchets have the squared-off handle shape and matte/polished finished, but the long handled ratchets are full-polish round handles, just like a MATCO unit, at 1/3 the cost.

[rebelram]

All of the Kobalt ratchets used to be the full polished round handled. I have one in 3/8 drive. I'm not a big fan of the newer squared off design. I also have older Williams produced Kobalt wrenches that are full polish and I like them a lot, but they are thin in the handle area. I have one Kobalt Danaher produced matte wrench and it's a little thicker in the handle, but it is a standard length wrench, where the full polished wrenches were longer. Overall, I am very happy with my Kobalt tools, they seem to be just as good as Craftsman(although sometimes slightly more expensive than Craftsman).