Tools of Japan

[ronkz650]

Here's the Amazon link to to torque screwdriver. One heck of a deal if it's accurate. Not a Japanese tool.

Amazon.com

 

[Steel_Rain]

Big haul came yesterday.

I’ll feature a few shortly. Trying to scan this huge thread for duplicates so nobody gets bored.

 

[terrific]

Did you get a revo wave ratchet? The handles look much more comfortable than the lightool ratchets, but I can't find them for sale anywhere. Also a little bummed that they don't make 1/4".

 

[CGarage]

Unpack it so we can see what you got, quit teasing us!

 

[Steel_Rain]

Did you get a revo wave ratchet? The handles look much more comfortable than the lightool ratchets, but I can't find them for sale anywhere. Also a little bummed that they don't make 1/4".

No, just a few wrench sets. I’m new to Asahi, but I love what I received. I saw the light tool ratchets, but didn’t know they make the revowave design in ratchet form. I will research.

 

[Steel_Rain]

Unpack it so we can see what you got, quit teasing us!

Tomorrow! But here is a quick few peaks:

 

[CHI_Tool&Die]

Tomorrow! But here is a quick few peaks:

I use those KTC swivels all the time at the house. I think they are my most versatile and used ratchets. The small head is freaking awesome. And that handle just fits the hand so well. I’ve actually played with the idea of trying some KTC sockets just to get a feel for the brand’s other offerings.

 

[Steel_Rain]

I use those KTC swivels all the time at the house. I think they are my most versatile and used ratchets. The small head is freaking awesome. And that handle just fits the hand so well. I’ve actually played with the idea of trying some KTC sockets just to get a feel for the brand’s other offerings.

I'm glad to hear that. I've always been a "rotohead hater" for no good reason. I have a few other brands (Koken, Icon and S/O), but I wanted to give the KTC a try:

Here are the ones I just got from Amazon Japan:

 

[Steel_Rain]

Anex 525-28B:





Asahi single ended box wrenches:




Tone RMA400L (I know these are made in Taiwan, but damn):





KTC TM510 (Set of 10):

 

[Steel_Rain]

Sunflag 3380 (Perfect Grip Drivers):



Asahi Revowave OLS060:





TOP ratcheting wrenches (RW Series) in various sizes:



3P (3 Peaks) WPP-250DG:



Lobtex J225PWNU :

 

[dukefx]

Those Sunflags sure are popular these days

 

[Steel_Rain]

TSUNODA LRP-280/LRP-280B:




Compared to everyone's favorite, the IPS HLS-300 / HLB-300:


Asahi OLS060:





Various KTC brushes:





I know that's MANY brushes, but these are incredible value ($1-2ea), seem to last forever and have been great for cleaning a small project bike (Honda QA50) that I'm working on right now.

 

[CHI_Tool&Die]

TSUNODA LRP-280/LRP-280B:




Compared to everyone's favorite, the IPS HLS-300 / HLB-300:


Asahi OLS060:





Various KTC brushes:





I know that's MANY brushes, but these are incredible value ($1-2ea), seem to last forever and have been great for cleaning a small project bike (Honda QA50) that I'm working on right now.

I really like how the handles are dipped all the way up on the Tsunoda pliers. That would be great for when one is trying to choke up on the pliers for whatever reason.

Those DBE wrenches look more like art than tools.

 

[Outahere]

Anex 525-28B:





Asahi single ended box wrenches:




Tone RMA400L (I know these are made in Taiwan, but damn):





KTC TM510 (Set of 10):

What is "Revowave" ?

 

[Steel_Rain]

What is "Revowave" ?

Revowave | ASAHI TOOLS

www.asahi-tool.co.jp

From the official website: "The curved surface of the neck fits well into hands and increases comfort when working. The Revowave series products are made of chrome-vanadium steel and have a spear-shaped head, which enables sturdier tightening."

I just think it looks cool.

 

[Steel_Rain]

I really like how the handles are dipped all the way up on the Tsunoda pliers. That would be great for when one is trying to choke up on the pliers for whatever reason.

Those DBE wrenches look more like art than tools.

Agreed on the Asahi stuff. It's my first experience with buying tools from them, but it won't be my last. They are top quality and remind me of a more inexpensive KTC alternative, with better (!!!) quality fit and finish.

 

[Bielio]

Nice tools here...
Been looking around and figured I'd see what the users here have to say....
Besides Amazon.co.jp / and domestic dealers?

Any Japanese Online stores specifically that you'd recommend to purchase brands like KTC?
Seems like domestic dealers of KTC have limited inventory and not the 'full-range' catalog.

thanks

 

[Caa311]

TSUNODA LRP-280/LRP-280B:




Compared to everyone's favorite, the IPS HLS-300 / HLB-300:


Asahi OLS060:





Various KTC brushes:





I know that's MANY brushes, but these are incredible value ($1-2ea), seem to last forever and have been great for cleaning a small project bike (Honda QA50) that I'm working on right now.

Did someone say qa50?

 

[Steel_Rain]

Did someone say qa50?

Beautiful in blue. I love it.

Here is my recently started project:



These are made in Japan, so I guess it still applies to this thread.

 

[Caa311]

That's a 73. My brother has a 69 in red one owner.

 

[Draftpick1]

my new koken z series ratchet came in 3/8 drive in a 1/4 body. For $46 definitely a deal!!

 

[Caa311]

I have a Tone, I want one of those too.

 

[jgeoffr]

Asahi single ended box wrenches:

The Asahi box wrenches are not in order, hurts my brain...

 

[Monte]

The Asahi box wrenches are not in order, hurts my brain...

Even worse: they have a different recess in their forging.....

 

[Steel_Rain]

The Asahi box wrenches are not in order, hurts my brain...

Even worse: they have a different recess in their forging.....

Sheshhhhhhh.

But they sure do work well.

 

[autobon7]

Sheshhhhhhh.

But they sure do work well.

What a huge haul........Merry Xmas to you in September lol

 

[CHI_Tool&Die]

Even worse: they have a different recess in their forging.....

My Heyco DBE wrenches are the same way and it totally makes me bonkers. But they work so it’s all gravy baby.

 

[Outahere]

Some more made-in-Japan writing tools, bought from JetPens.
UNI Jetstream "Alpha Gel Grip" Ball Point
Pilot Dr. Grip "Full Black" Ball Point (with blue accents)
Pentel Orenz 0.2mm Pencils (with sliding sleeve)

Have never owned or used a 0.2mm mechanical pencil. But now I own 2 of them.

 

[HannibalLecter]

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.

I have this exact one. The pepper mill is excellent.
However, the salt mill is nowhere near as good. I wouldnt buy it second time.Still, these and the bikes, the only things peugeot made that are worth buying

 

[old_smokey]

Waiting on my set.

These look great. Any observations? How is the balance of these? The handles look great along with the finishing of the steel.

I have the same full set. The red handled ones, the yellow torx, and the purple ball hex. Also have the teal/black typical vessel drivers. The red handles are by far my most reached for drivers. Very nicely made, heavy duty, striking cap, plus the hex on the shank for when you need that extra grunt. Highly recommend.

 

[Reed Prince]

 

[Steel_Rain]

I've been eyeing those up for years. TOP seems to make some crazy construction related assembly wrenches, but I don't know useful these would be in automotive or even light/heavy duty truck application.

AvE is a crazy dude. Always makes me laugh.

 

[joe_pinehill1]

Two recent purchases , a Hori Hori garden knife and and clippers

Amazon.com

Amazon.com

 

[Ohio Andy]

I inherited an ARM RC-450 Wire Rop Cutter (3/8" Capacity). This is what they look like new




The set I inherited lived in a non-climate controlled environment near the ocean in Florida. This is what one handle looked like from my pair



The label was just a suggestion so I removed the paint and rust. I painted the lower end of the handle first. That top part is threaded on one side so I purchased a couple of M7-1.0 bolts to keep pain out of the threads.


I painted the top red. You can see the bolt poking its head through.

And then I put everything back together.


And a close up of the head

 

[Reed Prince]

Amazon table came with no pilot holes and 16 screws, but they did include a free tool. I used my own. Makita TD022D and Anex ADM-2250.

 

[Steel_Rain]

Nepros NTD1P04:





I dunno what it is with these, but they are extremely unique. Lone Star Mopars (YT Channel) did a review on one of these saying the handles felt like a mix of leather/plastic/rubber and he is 100% spot on. I know this is subjective, but I can't say I've ever felt a material like this. Looking at them in this photo, it jus appears to be plastic...but it's a mix of a leather feel along with a high grip rubberized overmold (like on a power tool). They are very heavy and chrome is Nepros chrome, so it's the best I've seen on a screwdriver. Won't say I'll be using the striking cap on these, but I will be putting them to use almost daily.

 

[username2]

Quick question.

Are there any Japanese pliers, besides the Tsunoda slip-joint and water pump, that come undipped? With bare metal handles.

Triple bonus points for being nicely knurled. It would be cool to see a cutting pair, long nose, maybe linesman.

 

[Steel_Rain]

Quick question.

Are there any Japanese pliers, besides the Tsunoda slip-joint and water pump, that come undipped? With bare metal handles.

Triple bonus points for being nicely knurled. It would be cool to see a cutting pair, long nose, maybe linesman.

Try IPS (IGARASHI PLIERS) :

https://ips-tool.co.jp/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020_ips_catalog.pdf

Pages 10, 11, 15, 18, 19 and 23.

Beautifully made and very reasonably priced.
https://ips-tool.co.jp/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020_ips_catalog.pdf
These have grips, but here is an example of a few I own:

 

[tamaraw]

Are there any Japanese pliers, besides the Tsunoda slip-joint and water pump, that come undipped? With bare metal handles.

Probably lots, or you could always cut the dipped coating off. I have this one with a bare handle from TOP Kogyo: https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/tools-of-japan.97563/post-9759795

 

[username2]

Try IPS (IGARASHI PLIERS) :

https://ips-tool.co.jp/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020_ips_catalog.pdf

Pages 10, 11, 15, 18, 19 and 23.

Thanks, I appreciate it.

I see that they're all either water pump or 'regular' slip joint pliers.

I guess a purer version of the question is whether there are any undipped/bare handle Japanese long nosed or duckbill or needle nose pliers? As close as I get is stainless steel medical or bonsai gear. It's a funny thing, considering how big the pliers ecosystem is.