RYOBI increasing hand tool selection

[dclark2171]

Looks like Ryobi is starting to go in heavy with a selection of hand tools. Many coming soon tools on the Ryobi page. Most with Lifetime warranty. I'll be curious how they perform compared to the many other cheaper, overseas made tools.

https://www.ryobitools.com/products/hand-tools-and-e-tools?ryobitools_production_plp_products[page]=2

 

[mike93lx]

curious how they perform compared to the many other cheaper, overseas made tools.

Guessing about the same, just an ugly shade of green. And a lot more expensive than the equivalent no name stuff

 

[dclark2171]

Guessing about the same, just an ugly shade of green. And a lot more expensive than the equivalent no name stuff

I say you are right. It's probably a good move by Ryobi. There are so many Ryobi power tool buyers, I can see many of those homeowners buying into their hand tool line.

 

[MWEric]

Amazing to think the market can sustain yet another tool importer.

 

[Andres26tnt]

Yuck it's mostly cheap stuff , they just need to stick with the power tools.

 

[BrandonV]

Not interested but always good to have another player in the market.

 

[The Cobbler]

I bet they do well with them.

 

[ohhimark]

If they're getting rid of the Husky name, this would fit in its place. At least the pliers don't have those big cushion grips that cheap pliers often do.

 

[dclark2171]

Amazing to think the market can sustain yet another tool importer.

Where are all the 100 + years of screwdrivers, Pliers, etc that have been sold to people? I'm just amazed that we have more tool providers than ever and more keep getting into the market. Plus all the $1.99 tools you see at drug stores, gas stations, etc.

 

[Aaron_W]

I've never understood the drive to put power tool brand names on hand tools. I thought it was stupid when Dewalt did it too. I admit I do like my Dewalt razor knife and small tape measure but I bought those for the form and feel, not the brand.

At least in the case of TTI (Milwaukee, Ryobi, Hart, Empire) they don't have a bevy of old school hand tool brands to fall back on like SBD does so it makes a little more sense.

 

[dclark2171]

I've never understood the drive to put power tool brand names on hand tools. I thought it was stupid when Dewalt did it too. I admit I do like my Dewalt razor knife and small tape measure but I bought those for the form and feel, not the brand.

At least in the case of TTI (Milwaukee, Ryobi, Hart, Empire) they don't have a bevy of old school hand tool brands to fall back on like SBD does so it makes a little more sense.

I think its probably more about offering new items to current users. MOST major consumer brand power tools will last forever for the typical homeowner. So I guess it makes sense to offer other items that may grab their attention and keep their money flowing to the company. Most people who are buying a Ryobi drill will most likely never buy another unless the current one fails. Now a company like Channelock offering power tools would be a major stretch.

 

[Hakeem]

Not a fan, mostly because i expect this will edge out the few non-TTI/SBD hand tools still remaining.

Off the top of my head there is Crescent, Empire, Klein, and Dasco. Sad, honestly.

 

[lardy1]

I've looked at a lot of that on the shelf at Direct Tools. Nothing at all to write home about.

 

[Aaron_W]

I think its probably more about offering new items to current users. MOST major consumer brand power tools will last forever for the typical homeowner. So I guess it makes sense to offer other items that may grab their attention and keep their money flowing to the company. Most people who are buying a Ryobi drill will most likely never buy another unless the current one fails. Now a company like Channelock offering power tools would be a major stretch.

There are also the other than USA markets, where having a whole line of tools may bring some benefits to the distribution network.

I recently saw a video talking about how Ryobi is offering a bunch of non-tool battery powered "lifestyle" tools, vacuum cleaners, fans, radios, lights, heaters, pumps etc. They are apparently very popular in places where the power grid is unreliable or absent because people can charge the batteries with a solar set up and have modern electric conveniences.

Not a fan, mostly because i expect this will edge out the few non-TTI/SBD hand tools still remaining.

Off the top of my head there is Crescent, Empire, Klein, and Dasco. Sad, honestly.

Empire is part of TTI. Channel Lock is still independent.

 

[dclark2171]

There are also the other than USA markets, where having a whole line of tools may bring some benefits to the distribution network.

I recently saw a video talking about how Ryobi is offering a bunch of non-tool battery powered "lifestyle" tools, vacuum cleaners, fans, radios, lights, heaters, pumps etc. They are apparently very popular in places where the power grid is unreliable or absent because people can charge the batteries with a solar set up and have modern electric conveniences.

Good point. I do like Ryobi "lifestyle" products. I have a couple of fans and lights that Is till use with an adaptor for my Metabo HPT batteries

 

[Aaron_W]

Good point. I do like Ryobi "lifestyle" products. I have a couple of fans and lights that Is till use with an adaptor for my Metabo HPT batteries

We have a small Ryobi generator that is similar to the small Honda suitcase generators.
It was an only generator available situation during a multi week power failure, but it has proven to be a nice quiet small generator.

 

[milkovich]

Not a fan, mostly because i expect this will edge out the few non-TTI/SBD hand tools still remaining.

Off the top of my head there is Crescent, Empire, Klein, and Dasco. Sad, honestly.

Crescent is part of Apex (Gearwrench). Empire is TTI. Klien/Southwire/ideal/etc. are really more professional tools. I don't think they're in any danger from made in China product. Klein tried to sell to HD and Lowes and I'm not sure where that is now. It's just not a brand that 1 or 2 time tool users recognize or would pay more for. Not to derail the conversation, but a tool company that sells to professionals will have a hard time selling to every day consumers and vice versa unless there is some serious marketing going on. The number of us that really care about the country of origin and buying a "lifetime" quality tool above all else is pretty small. A lot of people really just buy the minimum passable tool for a job. Trying to get the market to buy something a little better for a few dollars more is why there are "Dewalt" hand tools. They are a little better, but the marketing behind the dewalt brand also helps the customer justify the purchase.

Ryobi is probably positioned to sell to the HGTV crowd pretty well. I see lots of folks who like the "green tool wall" in the craft room and if they're "completionists" they'll want to add these hand tools in the same coordinating color. It makes a lot of sense and the folks over at TTI are pretty good at marketing.

 

[dclark2171]

Ryobi is probably positioned to sell to the HGTV crowd pretty well. I see lots of folks who like the "green tool wall" in the craft room and if they're "completionists" they'll want to add these hand tools in the same coordinating color. It makes a lot of sense and the folks over at TTI are pretty good at marketing.

I agree. Plus, to a non professional, RYOBI tools are more than enough quality/performance. For my work I go on many construction sites and I even see Ryobi used here and there. Many of these independent small construction contractors just grab what is on sale when something is needed and worry about replacing when and if it breaks which could be many years.

 

[Andres26tnt]

We have a problem on here looking at stuff with our tool nut googles. I don't care for ryobi hand tools, they were available in Europe last year. I lived in England and looked at some, they were average quality cheap. But i understand the "lifestyle products". it makes sense for a company that is all about "lifestyle" to expand the tool lineup.

 

[F-22]

Not interested but always good to have another player in the market.

Meh, so much imported **** that only makes it harder and harder to make anything competitive in the cheaper end of the market in the west.

 

[dclark2171]

Meh, so much imported **** that only makes it harder and harder to make anything competitive in the cheaper end of the market in the west.

I know many disagree....for basic hand tools, spend a couple of weeks going to estate/garage sales, you'll pick up older, high quality tools cheap. Probably older Craftsman, B&D, etc...however, probably much better then the $10 imported cheapies

 

[Spiky]

To me the problem is the possibility of **** pushing better tools out of stores. Ex: Estwing is no longer carried at HD, is this why?

 

[rancherbill]

Most with Lifetime warranty. I'll be curious how they perform compared to the many other cheaper, overseas made tools.

Are you taking about their sister company Milwaukee at TTI - Techtronic Industries Company?

They are a power tool company peddling Chinese hand tools.

 

[BrandonV]

To me the problem is the possibility of **** pushing better tools out of stores. Ex: Estwing is no longer carried at HD, is this why?

Your average consumer/homeowner does not want an Estwing hammer. It's just simple supply & demand.

It's the same reason I feel Klein got pushed out of HD. It's not appealing to your average Joe. The one person I know who owns a Klein tool (besides the real GJ types) is a guy who was proud that he snagged it off his roof when the electric utility was working there.

I wouldn't be surprised if the reason they're pushing all the Milwaukee stuff at HD is because the average Joe associates Milwaukee (the power tools) with professionals considering the adoption. Easy to rebrand junk or make mediocre overpriced hand tools and peddle them that way for more profit.

I gave up on HD when the Brasscraft quarter turn shutoff valves got replaced with a "big box" version which is 50 cents cheaper, appears identical at first glance to the plumbing supply version, but is constructed like absolute garbage.

 

[Hakeem]

To me the problem is the possibility of **** pushing better tools out of stores. Ex: Estwing is no longer carried at HD, is this why?

Yes I agree this is part of the issue. For me, it’s not even about having better tools available, it’s just boring to walk through the tool aisles and only see 1-2 multinational conglomerates represented. Having a little bit of variety would be nice.