Tools of Japan

[Steel_Rain]

Right! I have a set of those green Vectors sitting in my Amazon Japan cart, but haven't pulled the trigger.

I'm wondering how they compare to the Vessel's I've already have:



Do you have both?

 

[Ohio Andy]

Right! I have a set of those green Vectors sitting in my Amazon Japan cart, but haven't pulled the trigger.

I'm wondering how they compare to the Vessel's I've already have:



Do you have both?

What do you mean you have both? The green are the drivers. I think Yellow are Torx. White are Phillips and Slotted....

Or do you mean the Tang-Thru versions that have a metal (except on the stubbies)...

Or do you mean the Megadora versions?

Inquiring minds want to know.... and I am also curious!

 

[Steel_Rain]

I have most of the Vessel kits:





I want the green Vessel Vector nut drivers:



I was wondering how they compared to the Vessel "wood compo" nut drivers I already own.

 

[Reed Prince]

Right! I have a set of those green Vectors sitting in my Amazon Japan cart, but haven't pulled the trigger.

I'm wondering how they compare to the Vessel's I've already have:



Do you have both?

I don't have both, only the Vectors, but they look nearly identical except for the handles. Your's is the nicer set.

 

[Steel_Rain]

I don't have both, only the Vectors, but they look nearly identical except for the handles. Your's is the nicer set.

Good to know. For the price of the Vectors, I might give them a try.

"I have to many tools" --says nobody

 

[Dave455]

I have most of the Vessel kits:





I want the green Vessel Vector nut drivers:



I was wondering how they compared to the Vessel "wood compo" nut drivers I already own.

I reckon you definitely need a set of the “Powergrips”!

 

[JimH74]

I reckon you definitely need a set of the “Powergrips”!

I’ve had trouble locating a set of these. I guess my google foo skills are not to good. Mind sharing where you found the set? Thanks.

 

[Dave455]

I’ve had trouble locating a set of these. I guess my google foo skills are not to good. Mind sharing where you found the set? Thanks.

I’ve never bought a set of these, just individual drivers, but the prices were generally very fair. I had a look in the catalogue and see no sets of these listed, but they don’t list any of the other sets either.

I’ve bought Vessel from various sources over the years, including a local electrical factor and Amazon.

Cheapest option at the moment seems to be buying direct from Japan, either Amazon.jp or one of the big online suppliers such as Webike.

The Powegrip seem to be Vessels premium range. The hard cellulose acetate (not CAB, so they don’t smell) handles are incredibly durable, as is the chrome plating on the blades. They are certainly my favourites.

Part numbers are below. The different types of drivers have different coloured handles, which is a feature I like.

 

[Steel_Rain]

Great info on these. I like the tang though, hex top shank and size range of 75mm-200mm.

Hmmmmmmm

 

[Dave455]

Great info on these. I like the tang though, hex top shank and size range of 75mm-200mm.

Hmmmmmmm

Yes, there’s not a lot to dislike.

I don’t always like through tang drivers. I’ve tried a few that feel very unbalanced, but these feel really nice. I think the forged hex at the top of the blade helps correct the balance, but they are obviously very well thought through.

The sizes equate to a fairly standard 3, 4, 6 and 8 inch which I suspect we all feel comfortable with.

I have the regular, Phillips and Torx (and the bit driver). I have yet to track down a set of the ball hex, but will probably order from Japan at some point.

 

[JimH74]

Thank you Dave 455.

 

[Ohio Andy]

I’ve had trouble locating a set of these. I guess my google foo skills are not to good. Mind sharing where you found the set? Thanks.

Only seen sets of those from a few sellers on ebay

 

[F-22]

I have a few various Vessel drivers and the powrgrip is definitely my favourite. Followed closely by their 230W bit driver (very sturdy design). And the Crystaline screwdrivers if the powergrip are a bit too heavy duty in some cases.

 

[theamcguy]

Has the feel of PB swiss in the handles and I must say these are close to a "perfect grip".

I just checked this set on amazon says they fit both JIS & Phillips. First time I have seen that. JIS and Phillips are close but there are subtle differences between the 2 standards.

 

[4xdog]

I just checked this set on amazon says they fit both JIS & Phillips. First time I have seen that. JIS and Phillips are close but there are subtle differences between the 2 standards.

I’ve used JIS/DIN on Phillips for years. If anything, JIS/DIN fits better.

 

[Steel_Rain]

I’ve used JIS/DIN on Phillips for years. If anything, JIS/DIN fits better.

100% agree. If it's old rusty stuff and I see the JIS dot on the fastener head, I feel like I have a shot before I get out the impact driver.

 

[ronkz650]

Some Phillips screws JIS just don't fit. I have a wiha long phillips screwdriver. It is by far the worst fit in a JIS screw in the history of screwdrivers, but on a pinball machine it fits the Phillips screws perfectly where the Vessel JIS fits terrible. Most screws either can probably be used without much notice, but there are definitely places a JIS screwdriver just doesn't fit.

 

[CGarage]

This is why you can’t have “just one set” of screwdrivers!

 

[Steel_Rain]

Makita GWT01 (XGT 3/4" drive):





Koken 16644AL 3/4" to 1/2" adaptor:



You really see how big the jump is from 1/2" to 3/4" when you compare the two:



The Japanese really do make quality, heavy industrial equipment, even in this class of non-air tools.

 

[Outahere]

Some Mitsubishi/UNI Kuru Toga mechanical pencils (0.5mm lead) purchased from Amazon-US.
From L to R:

"Roulette"
"Pipe slide"
"Standard"
"Standard"

I took a closer look at the retail package for the "standard" pencils and it says Made in China, which surprises me. The "pipe slide" pencil is made in Japan. There was no COO information on the package of the "Roulette" pencil.

 

[Dave455]

I took a closer look at the retail package for the "standard" pencils and it says Made in China, which surprises me. The "pipe slide" pencil is made in Japan. There was no COO information on the package of the "Roulette" pencil.

I really like the Kuru Toga pencils.

I ended up with a small selection, for different lead grades.


When I bought mine, which was some years back, they were definitely made in Japan, I remember checking the packing. The plastic is definitely Japanese, as is the overall build quality.

I’m sorry they have decided to outsource these. The Japanese made ones were not prohibitively expensive, but these are the sort of things that do need to be made exactly right to function properly.

 

[KnurledNut]

Makita GWT01 (XGT 3/4" drive):


The Japanese really do make quality, heavy industrial equipment, even in this class of non-air tools.

Beautiful impact wrench! Would love to try that one.
My made-in-Japan XWT07 3/4” has took a lickin' and keeps on tickin'. Still no slouch, but that 40v stuff looks great!

 

[F-22]

I really like the Kuru Toga pencils.

I ended up with a small selection, for different lead grades.


When I bought mine, which was some years back, they were definitely made in Japan, I remember checking the packing. The plastic is definitely Japanese, as is the overall build quality.

I’m sorry they have decided to outsource these. The Japanese made ones were not prohibitively expensive, but these are the sort of things that do need to be made exactly right to function properly.

I have the "premium" model and it's definitely made in japan (it is moulded into the plastic).

 

[terrific]

I have the "premium" model and it's definitely made in japan (it is moulded into the plastic).

There are a lot of different models. Probably not a complete list:
Standard
Rubber Grip
High Grade
Roulette
Alpha Gel
Alpha Gel Switch
KS
Metal
Dive
Pipe Slide
Advance
Advance Upgrade

I recently bought a metal version, and it says made in Japan. Maybe the writing is on the wall...
It's weird to me, because I bought a "starter set" with the standard version, some extra erasers and a container of leads for... $6 from Walmart? That was several years ago, but still... It doesn't really seem like they needed to bring the price down.

In other news, Vessel sells ratchets? They have the wooden handle like some of their screwdrivers. Might be a little too bulky. I was looking at model hrh2w, which Zoro says is made in Taiwan. Has anyone used one?

 

[Steel_Rain]

There are a lot of different models. Probably not a complete list:
Standard
Rubber Grip
High Grade
Roulette
Alpha Gel
Alpha Gel Switch
KS
Metal
Dive
Pipe Slide
Advance
Advance Upgrade

I recently bought a metal version, and it says made in Japan. Maybe the writing is on the wall...
It's weird to me, because I bought a "starter set" with the standard version, some extra erasers and a container of leads for... $6 from Walmart? That was several years ago, but still... It doesn't really seem like they needed to bring the price down.

In other news, Vessel sells ratchets? They have the wooden handle like some of their screwdrivers. Might be a little too bulky. I was looking at model hrh2w, which Zoro says is made in Taiwan. Has anyone used one?

I have the Vessel HRH2W 1/4” kit from Vessel. Per CP the tool addict, the ratchet is head/shank is made in Taiwan along with the sockets, but the “compo” handle is made in Japan:

It’s a decent set, but not my first 1/4” set I would run out to buy. The metal has a matte chrome pepper finish.

Here is the rachet and stubby 1/4” driver:

 

[terrific]

Yeah, that is definitely thick looking. Really cool handle material, though.

 

[Steel_Rain]

It’s honestly overkill for a 1/4” drive. But it feels quality. It would be great to have a slim line version of this on a 1/2” long handle ratchet.

 

[16again]

I reckon you definitely need a set of the “Powergrips”!

You just cost me another hundred, Ordered a set from Ebay.

 

[GeoBruin]

You just cost me another hundred, Ordered a set from Ebay.

Mind linking the seller?

 

[Steel_Rain]

You just cost me another hundred, Ordered a set from Ebay.

Same here, I have these on the way from Amazon Japan.

Please post pics of yours when your get them!

Great suggestion Dave455.

 

[Qualitytools]

You just cost me another hundred, Ordered a set from Ebay.

I resisted and only purchased the one shown. I must admit it is beautiful and I could only find a set sold on eBay. Vessel also makes a blue handle one just as beautiful.

https://www.amazon.co.jp/-/en/Vessel-B-5100-Power-Driver-Precision/dp/B001VB32P2/ref=sr_1_23?crid=3SGNGZ0ADTEL1&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.nB1rwimJiusBEfoDBQQ2YOmiTXCdXuFSkEOtr_4B5uovhwiqkR00tLgVuo9s7KkaT1LLjud_wHYDno7LPDPDYDsDaeZIrnWtXZnLxQVPIVhq52n2eD88eYucp-qVlae-Ui5L8L5R0RcFz8f1Zr4oA-b_OMLCkYeiRQ6DObQNNCXULsAQIXiz9tVcmopZQmezCg-HeTZuGX3KZQRVa_VRHy_pMsu4QICF0XpKj2xfdpc8aaDrN6UN2wzXsimcRJg-3WzGeoXtzMHXcJU1AgiCBidOrD3h5ItLHc0VvassSzs.64bB06lX9L0W6lhrZvxy8RlegBnQIV8369EKtF_FfLs&dib_tag=se&keywords=Vessel%2Bred%2Bclear%2Bhandle%2Bscrewdriver&qid=1725416640&sprefix=vessel%2Bred%2Bclear%2Bhandle%2Bscrewdriver%2Caps%2C100&sr=8-23&th=1

 

[16again]

Mind linking the seller?

VESSEL 4500 screwdriver 8-piece set Phillips slotted head JIS power grip Japan | eBay

Whole body hardening. VESSEL Power Grip Driver. Product Model: ‎4500. Bolster part opposite side (mm): 10. power grip driver. Shaft length (mm): 75. Shaft length (mm): 100. Cutting Edge: Magnet Included.

www.ebay.com

 

[bongkar_YES_pasang_NO]

as seen on GJ

 

[Ohio Andy]

I keep resisting this set reminding myself how many sets of screwdrivers I have...

 

[GeoBruin]

I keep resisting this set reminding myself how many sets of screwdrivers I have...

Yeah, but you know... that P2 tends to cam out sometimes, and remember when you bent that flat head a little? And I know that buggered handle irritates your hand when you really get after it...

 

[Reed Prince]

A few years ago I bought a Kyocera ceramic kitchen knife, and it is one of my favorite kitchen tools.





It has a different blade angle than steel knives, so I bought the home sharpener. The AA alkaline batteries the unit was designed for couldn't provide enough current to keep the wheel from bogging down, so I hooked up a couple of 18650s and now it runs like a champ.




Later I purchased a Kyocera ceramic pepper mill, which worked fine until it unexpectedly broke today.





So this is one Japanese kitchen tool that I cannot recommend.

 

[F-22]

Later I purchased a Kyocera ceramic pepper mill, which worked fine until it unexpectedly broke today.

A quality one would use a metal burr. At least that's how it is with coffee grinders. The ceramic ones are not quality.

The French-made Peugeot pepper and salt grinder is the most iconic design and certainly one of the most reliable grinders on the market. I would not recommend anything else. They had the patent on their burr design and it is still made the exact same way as it always was since 1874.

 

[Ohio Andy]

A quality one would use a metal burr. At least that's how it is with coffee grinders. The ceramic ones are not quality.

The French-made Peugeot pepper and salt grinder is the most iconic design and certainly one of the most reliable grinders on the market. I would not recommend anything else. They had the patent on their burr design and it is still made the exact same way as it always was since 1874.

Never been happy with the one I have. I just ordered a 12-in mill, I just didn't know which brand I wanted

 

[four.cycle]

The French-made Peugeot pepper and salt grinder

So.... are you tellin' me I should trade in my old beat up Italian job?

 

[Reed Prince]

A quality one would use a metal burr. At least that's how it is with coffee grinders. The ceramic ones are not quality.

The French-made Peugeot pepper and salt grinder is the most iconic design and certainly one of the most reliable grinders on the market. I would not recommend anything else. They had the patent on their burr design and it is still made the exact same way as it always was since 1874.

That one is already on the way. Kyocera is known for their advanced ceramics, and the mill I bought from them was supposed to be a high end one.