Tools of Japan

[username2]

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

I'm only seeing slip joint pliers there. I'm thinking there aren't 'lots'.

Admittedly, you could cut off the rubbery stuff, but it won't probably have a proper sort of knurled grip and/or be unfinished in some peculiar way.

It's weird I think, pretty much all pliers used to be like this and now they're all gone (except for water pump or slip joint, which US companies like Wilde also make). About as close as I've seen is the Klein ironworkers pliers (or teeny Snap-on and Knipex), but I'm not sure about their handle.

I'm thinking I'm going to look for vintage as it appears to be an impractical demand in modern times. Thanks to those who responded.

 

[NoahG]

Just got back to the States from a two week visit to Japan! I was not prepared for the tool selection in the shops. There was simply too many choices, particularly in the tool and electronics district in Osaka. With that said, here’s what I did pick up, I wasn’t there to just buy tools after all. The only other thing I really wanted was a set of diagonal cutters, but there were just too many variations. Oh, I also wanted a Burtle fan vest, but with the 95+ degree heat wave they were sold out everywhere.

Vessel, Engineer, and a few more unique drivers:


Been wanting some of these!


Itty bitty! The electronics component store these were in was mind blowing.


This looked very practical.


A couple famous Lobtex wrenches.


The only not made in Japan item, but I thought the gradation was brilliant.


The multi tip pen selection was intense. I got one with a 0.5 lead in it. Got the Yanmar pen cause I built a trade show display for them last year.


And finally, my white whale, which I finally found at a Viva Home a few hours before heading to the airport:

 

[Outahere]

.....Itty bitty! The electronics component store these were in was mind blowing.

Just curious, did the electronics store also stock electronics kits?

 

[NoahG]

Just curious, did the electronics store also stock electronics kits?

Oh yes, they had seemingly everything. My wife can attest that I was geeking out hard.

店舗・事業所案内/シリコンハウス 共立電子産業株式会社

大阪日本橋にあるシリコンハウス共立は電子部品専門店として日本最大級の売り場面積をもっており、ものづくりの「楽しさ」とお客様の「よかった」に応えるために、スタッフ一同ご来店お待ちしております。

silicon.kyohritsu.com

Adding the couple photos I took in there:

 

[NoahG]

More pics from the stores:

 

[Steel_Rain]

Oh yes, they had seemingly everything. My wife can attest that I was geeking out hard.

店舗・事業所案内/シリコンハウス 共立電子産業株式会社

大阪日本橋にあるシリコンハウス共立は電子部品専門店として日本最大級の売り場面積をもっており、ものづくりの「楽しさ」とお客様の「よかった」に応えるために、スタッフ一同ご来店お待ちしております。

silicon.kyohritsu.com

Adding the couple photos I took in there:

Nichicon and Murata capacitors no doubt.

 

[NoahG]

Nichicon and Murata capacitors no doubt.

From little tiny ones to giant paint can size ones!

 

[Steel_Rain]

My Wife has told me many times that we can never go to Japan because of all the things I'd bring back. She once said that: "I would probably bring back a suitcase full of tools rather than Her...right???"

I just smiled and said I'd bring back what was most valuable to me...(and get her on the next flight).

 

[NoahG]

My Wife has told me many times that we can never go to Japan because of all the things I'd bring back. She once said that: "I would probably bring back a suitcase full of tools rather than Her...right???"

I just smiled and said I'd bring back what was most valuable to me...(and get her on the next flight).

This was apparently an acceptable amount. She drew the line at me bringing Picard hammers back from Germany last year.

 

[Steel_Rain]

Vessel 6307HS:





These seem like a low price version of the previous Vessel Crystaline series of drivers. They are made in Japan, but definitely a step down from my other Crystaline drivers. I was actually shocked at seeing these at my local Tractor Supply on the clearance shelf for $15ish, so I picked them up. There is a lack of of the normal "Made in Japan" writing on these, but it is stamped "Japan" into the handle base at the shank.

It appears they are also offering them on sale on the website: https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/p...ibvJDAgXs22N2fvnb5FyGvPjqRtwpMp3Jv9w_yCxTKL5a

(but not that cheap)

They are worth $15, but I can't say these would be my first choice and not worth the $30 premium.

 

[FigN⋅m]

Just got back to the States from a two week visit to Japan! I was not prepared for the tool selection in the shops. There was simply too many choices, particularly in the tool and electronics district in Osaka. With that said, here’s what I did pick up, I wasn’t there to just buy tools after all. The only other thing I really wanted was a set of diagonal cutters, but there were just too many variations. Oh, I also wanted a Burtle fan vest, but with the 95+ degree heat wave they were sold out everywhere.

Not to derail the thread any, but I'm headed to Japan this week and had a question or two about buying tools there?
Were you able to acquire them duty/tax free? (I think it's over 5,000 yen?) If so, did you pack them in carry on, or checked?
I see different methods, but I don't want to board with something weird, but also not incur hassle trying to check items in baggage.

 

[Ohio Andy]

Not to derail the thread any, but I'm headed to Japan this week and had a question or two about buying tools there?
Were you able to acquire them duty/tax free? (I think it's over 5,000 yen?) If so, did you pack them in carry on, or checked?
I see different methods, but I don't want to board with something weird, but also not incur hassle trying to check items in baggage.

Last time I flew they even had a sign that specifically called out screwdrivers is something they would not allow on the plane

 

[Dave455]

Not to derail the thread any, but I'm headed to Japan this week and had a question or two about buying tools there?
Were you able to acquire them duty/tax free? (I think it's over 5,000 yen?) If so, did you pack them in carry on, or checked?
I see different methods, but I don't want to board with something weird, but also not incur hassle trying to check items in baggage.

Pack them in the bag that’s being checked in.

There will be no hassle that way.

 

[NoahG]

It was a mix. I qualified for the tax refund at Tōkyō Hands, but the rest of my purchases were under the threshold so I didn’t. Really no worries for me the exchange rate really favors us Americans right now and I was kinda shocked by how cheap the tools were. For example, the large Lobster wrench was less than $15 USD. Most expensive thing was the Marvel pliers and that was around $40.

Everything flew home with me in a checked bag. I don’t think security even opened it once. Customs didn’t blink when I said I bought some souvenirs tools for personal use.

 

[DekNgo]

I don't want to board with something weird, but also not incur hassle trying to check items in baggage.

Last time I flew they even had a sign that specifically called out screwdrivers is something they would not allow on the plane

Pack them in the bag that’s being checked in.

There will be no hassle that way.

I agree with these other gentlemen - put them in your checked bags. I once got flagged by the security in Narita because I moved a 8mm wrench from my toolkit to my backpack while at a customer site, then forgot to take it out before heading to the airport.

 

[Ohio Andy]

I agree with these other gentlemen - put them in your checked bags. I once got flagged by the security in Narita because I moved a 8mm wrench from my toolkit to my backpack while at a customer site, then forgot to take it out before heading to the airport.

Never know, you might just take over a plane with an 8mm wrench!

In the 90's, I flew on a Russian Plane from Germany to Bulgaria. There was a large dashed rectangle drawn on the side of the plane that said something like "cut here in emergency", which I have never seen before. There was **** carpeting on the walls and a cutout with an old CRT monitor shoved into it (that was not used).

One of the seats was broken (a tray would not go up) and the passengers fixed it with tools that they just happened to have (multi-tools and similar). Growing up on a farm where we fixed everything our self if we could and not traveling much I did not consider how odd it was that the passengers were fixing the plane. It occurred to me as the plane was taking off that I should have just noped out of that flight and gotten off the plane; but my employer had purchased the ticket so that could have been a problem.

Now they might have relaxed things a bit and let you have a small nail file on your nail clippers but for a while they were confiscating those while letting me carry pens that could do way more damage. Heck, they used to sell Wenger swiss army knives in the airports, it was their number one distribution point and the lock down of those things is probably what put them out of business so that they were purchased by Victorinox and then their product line discontinued.

 

[Steel_Rain]

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.

You unknowingly put me on a fruitless search the last few days. These aren't that long (200mm'ish) and no duckbill, but it's the best I could come up with:

https://www.toptools.co.jp/english/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/08/28db31cf7af7cda670f5faebb5c15677.pdf

Page 061:

 

[username2]

You unknowingly put me on a fruitless search the last few days. These aren't that long (200mm'ish) and no duckbill, but it's the best I could come up with:

Welcome to my world. It's kind of odd given the lack of difficulty in adding that line, it's how pliers used to be, ease of cleaning.

I think those Tsunoda pliers look like an amazing deal, but can imagine just how dirty the yellow handles would get in no time.

Bare handles with engraving/knurling appears to be a forgotten technology.

(what appear to actually exist is simple slip-joint, water pump, (maybe)Klein Ironworker, a bitty Knipex, three bitty Snap-on slip-joint, kind of a motley crew).

 

[superautobacs]

A special shoutout to @Steel_Rain for sending out one of his TOP ratcheting wrenches!! Thank you!
Here's the original post he posted several weeks ago: https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/tools-of-japan.97563/post-10817607

The texture of the surface finish instantly reminded me of Gedore tools.

A little comparison with a few wrenches I had on hand

 

[Steel_Rain]

A special shoutput to @Steel_Rain for sending out one of his TOP ratcheting wrenches!! Thank you!

The texture of the surface finish instantly reminded me of Gedore tools.

A little comparison with a few wrenches I had on hand

No problem Chris and thanks for the comparison. Agreed on the finish work of these, like a speckled chrome type of finish.

The more I learn about Top Tools, the more I'm thinking they are geared mostly for the construction/heavy industry trades. The result on Google seems to align with that:



Regardless, I think these are great for automotive, albeit not the most graceful ratcheting wrenches I've used.

 

[superautobacs]

KTC takes top podium for serving the automotive side of things. In distant second is Tone, then served by all the other manufacturers like Ko-ken, Mitoloy, SEK, Flag, FPC. I think the most notable change in recent years is the popularity Ko-ken has gained within Japan.

Interesting fact about TOP's socketry items. I'm not sure at what capacity they are able to forge socketry tools, but they've definitely sourced them from other domestic tool manufacturers. Ko-ken being one of them.

 

[mobiledynamics]

I was and wasn't recalling paying attention to specs .....my largest Top was not able to open wide enough for a 1 1/2 nut on a plumbing drain fitting.
Off to find me a short handle wrench for a application for this

 

[Jeff]

 

[Reed Prince]

I was and wasn't recalling paying attention to specs .....my largest Top was not able to open wide enough for a 1 1/2 nut on a plumbing drain fitting.
Off to find me a short handle wrench for a application for this

I have something that might work. TMWS-1668.

 

[Steel_Rain]

Very interesting jaw design. Have you used these yet? Helpful?

 

[Jeff]

Very interesting jaw design. Have you used these yet? Helpful?

Yes, I bought them specifically for working with my 3D printer and plastics. I need to be able to hold various shapes for pins and model attachment.

 

[terrific]

That looks like a needle nose with a section devoted to crimping. Definitely heavier duty than my Xuron 494.

 

[superautobacs]

Not to derail the thread any, but I'm headed to Japan this week and had a question or two about buying tools there?
Were you able to acquire them duty/tax free? (I think it's over 5,000 yen?) If so, did you pack them in carry on, or checked?
I see different methods, but I don't want to board with something weird, but also not incur hassle trying to check items in baggage.

If you are planning to go to a Factory Gear store, only the Tokyo and Osaka stores are able to provide duty-free shopping.

 

[superautobacs]

Lobtex (aka Lobster) TG200 'Tri-grip' slipjoint pliers

 

[F-22]

Thanks for the nice photos. These styles of tools are often hard to differentiate on the photos - the low quality ones are awful to use but look about the same. Very thin line between it being sloppy or binding up. Minor details like the machining around the joint are very important for smooth use.

 

[four.cycle]

^ Interesting that Lobtex went with a "flush fastener" as well.

 

[superautobacs]

^ Interesting that Lobtex went with a "flush fastener" as well.

Yes! In fact I think they started it before Wilde.

I got the TG200NA model (Tri-grip profile and screw-grabbing feature) back in 2013. Lobtex is also an early adopter of using cationic electrodeposition coating on their pliers.

 

[four.cycle]

^ game-changer stuff. one of those deals where "you don't know until you know".

 

[lund]

I agree with these other gentlemen - put them in your checked bags. I once got flagged by the security in Narita because I moved a 8mm wrench from my toolkit to my backpack while at a customer site, then forgot to take it out before heading to the airport.

Lots of odd stuff goes through airport checks. I often do outdoor and work excursions mixed and pack strange assortments of tools, parts and equipment. Most of the time I see the opened for inspection slips in the suitcases with signs of being examined. But I never have had much trouble with checked in stuff. I think stuff with batteries are most likely to trigger scanners and potential rejects. Those concerns are legit since Lithium Ion batteries can burn strongly and aircraft are not a good place for a fire.

Among the most memorable/funny:

While on an ice climbing trip in Colorado a ~6 lb rock peeled off a canyon cliff ~50 yard high and hit me on the head as a glancing blow. I was VERY lucky to survive the impact with only a neck strain (helmet of course or I would have been dead). My brother (belaying) collected the rock saying I had to keep it as a keep sake and take it with me on the plane trip home. Due to heavy bag weight distributions, I tried to put it in my carry on. Security in the small airport stopped me and asked what it was and said, "You can't take that on board it could be used to bash someone." I said, "Yup" and moved it to my check in bags and the rock still made it home.

When traveling in a remote part of Russia I had a ~4-5 inch lock blade knife in my coat that I was cutting open cans etc. On return I was *exhausted* when getting into the airport and forgot that the knife was zipped in my coat pocket and went through airport security and metal detectors etc with it undetected. Thank goodness for late 90s Russian disorder and dysfunctional equipment!! I only realized that the large knife was there when I sat down on the plane, felt it, and nearly panicked. But I quickly realized that I am through security and nobody knows about it, so just keep it from here and out of sight. So the big knife made it all the way home through USA transit, the airport and customs (they do not search for such on you). Trust me, even in the late 90s you did NOT want to be nabbed by Russian security as a foreigner with a technical background. It would not have ended well trying to explain my mistake in my non-fluent Russian !! I was close to a VERY LONG visit ... There is no way can I ever return to Russia in the present climate. I do not think I would need a misplaced knife to get nabbed now for a long stay in their horrible jails. But I am not so dumb to travel back!

 

[Jeff]

My wife found that Engineer pliers can be used in the kitchen. Then she found a special pink pair. A small price for her letting me on amz.japan with no restrictions.

 

[superautobacs]

Thinking about bare metal pliers, I was looking at my archives for some photos of my KTC slip-joints. Somehow I seem to have only kept one photo. I loved the look on these. Sadly I lost it a few years ago on the job.

I forgot these also have flush-joints, and these were part of KTC's lineup from the 2000's, I think.

KTC by ChrisCas aka Superautobacs, on Flickr




Here's a KTC hose clamp plier and IPS spring-loaded slip-joint pliers. The IPS had dipped handles, but they didn't last very long. I like the design of the exposed handles, but I wished the handles were wider/thicker for better comfort. During those moments when you really need to squeeze hard they arent comfortable.

 

[rick carpenter]

Yes! In fact I think they started it before Wilde.

I got the TG200NA model (Tri-grip profile and screw-grabbing feature) back in 2013. Lobtex is also an early adopter of using cationic electrodeposition coating on their pliers.

Lobster pliers can sometimes be found online with a "Shrimp" designation, see...

https://www.amazon.com/%E3%83%AD%E3%83%96%E3%83%86%E3%83%83%E3%82%AF%E3%82%B9-HTG200-Shrimp-torigurippupuraiya-htg200/dp/B003V358XM?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[username2]

Lobster pliers can sometimes be found online with a "Shrimp" designation, see...

https://www.amazon.com/%E3%83%AD%E3%83%96%E3%83%86%E3%83%83%E3%82%AF%E3%82%B9-HTG200-Shrimp-torigurippupuraiya-htg200/dp/B003V358XM?tag=atomicindus08-20

I didn't expect to see the word 'torigurippupuraiya' this morning. Go figure.

 

[Madjik Man]

My wife found that Engineer pliers can be used in the kitchen. Then she found a special pink pair. A small price for her letting me on amz.japan with no restrictions.

I know I'm extremely immature... but I can't unsee this not-so-subtle design/image flaw that the marketing team didn't.

 

[IRQVET]

Anyone have a Japanese Bench Vice (6-8 inch) they would recommend?