What tools brands are the best ? German , American, or Japaneese...etc?

[Autoguy]

Euro tools are common here for quiet a long time including the most major Europeans German French British and even Asians from Japaneese and Chinese origins. Famous and less famous, brands like Matador, Gedore, Britool, Koken, Flag...etc

I alwys felt that the American are the best especially Snap-on , Proto , Armstrong.....etc

I want to know why and Are american tools inferior to the Germans especially as well as other brands from Europe??

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

German, Swiss and similar tools made in Europe are the equal of like priced American tools. Tools made in Taiwan are coming closer but not up the standards of the American and European tools.

The American tools, European tools and Taiwan tools are dead even when they are made in China.......

 

[spv]

This is a personal opinion thing. Personally, I really enjoy using Nepros from Japan and Stahlwille from Germany. I have not had a single issue with either tool manufacturer and the tolerances and strength are excellent. I even buy Stahlwille pliers. I would rate them better than my Knipex. The grip the teeth get and the flex in the handles provide for good gripping torque. Cutting mild steel tig wire is no issue for them. No dents at all in the teeth. The Knipex feel cheap next to the Stahlwille (VBW). Nepros for sockets. The fit is exact and the grip from the rubber on the sockets is extremely useful (totally under rated). Just my 2cents..

 

[mrholeshot]

They are not inferior to German tools. Like Americans they like mostly stuff from their own country. Lots of Germans like Snap-On better. It's just a matter of taste. I like any of them as long as it's a quality peice. I still prefer American when I can get it.

 

[MrMark]

German or American, either one for me, as long as it is quality American.

I do like to use some German tools on German cars, they seem to respond better to them.

 

[ecotec]

i am union, so my tools for work are american (with a few exceptions. i am not driving all over town for an american tape measure...).

the german tools are often better in ergonomics, fit and finish, and aesthetics. years after the european screwdrivers have gone to grips that feel absolutely perfect, the vast majority of american screwdrivers feel like lumps in your hand.

sometimes, and i know some will disagree, we should be loyal even if there are better. for example, when i buy slip joint pliers, i buy channel lock brand. they have been in the USA since 1886 and i do not want that to change.

 

[londonsteve]

I find the best quality tools of most countries are equally as good, most have lifetime guarantee, Snap On- USA, Britool- England, Stahwille- Germany etc but then you have to build in your personal preferance and loyalties, I like Crescent grips and cutters but friends prefer Knipex. I just think you pay the money you make the choice

 

[mrholeshot]

I do like to use some German tools on German cars, they seem to respond better to them.

Das war zum Schreien!!!!

 

[wafrederick]

I like American and German made tools.Have a few Knipex tools I like.Have a pair of Matco needle nose pliers,part number PNC8 that are made by Knipex that are my most favorite pair of needle nose pliers.Open up the most and this pair was not cheap,$47.00 for this pair.

 

[HandyManny]

Every country is capable of producing a high quality tool. I think it all comes down to a certain brands reputation that has been built and earned over the years. I also think, and a lot of folk disagree, but I think it's true that a lot of it has to do with how someone precieves a certain country or certain bias or prejudice that they either adopt or have been misled into thinking about a certain country or it's people.

Here in the USA, many Americans have always had a sense of pride in owning American made products. We believe that we make the best. At one time that was true of a lot of things. At one time we were the leader in many industries. No longer! Sad fact that some find hard to accept these days! There are still a few good high quality makers of tools left here though. 95% of all the hand tools I own were made right here in the USA and are brands that were and still are well respected. Most of the tools I own are older tools too, but not vintage. Some of the newer USA made tools I own have proven to be somewhat of a dissappointment in comparison with some newer imported less expensive tools these days. I'm beginning to warm up to the fact that many reasonably priced newer Taiwan made tools are superior to many newer USA made tools. I've even used some Chinese made tools recently that turned out to impress me very much compared to some newer USA made stuff. We simply are not the manufacturing country that we once were when I was coming of age. I loved that last review that was done here on GJ on a Duralast ratchet. I bought one last week just to use and compare with other quality USA made ratchest I own. Time will tell, but I have to say that so far I am very impressed with the feel, finish, function and durability of this ratchet since giving it a good amount of use this past weekend, and that ratchet was not made in the USA either. You just have to keep in mind that China, India, Pakistan, etc are developing countries and are quickly gaining expertise in mass manufacturing. At one time long ago those countries were far more advanced than anyone in Europe. Some of what we enjoy today was copied and developed from inventions and developments made by people from those ancient empires anyway.

 

[Theloniousmonk]

Quote from Handyman: "Some of what we enjoy today was copied and developed from inventions and developments made by people from those ancient empires anyway."

Like Hospitals, Air Conditioning, Ice, and a Judicial System.

Going off of the "US Made" stamp = quality, I don't believe the SO line "People in other countries are offened by the US stamp" for one second... "USA" still equates a stamp of quality and craftsmanship, and is viewed as such around the world... the only reason I can think of "USA" being a limiting factor w/b political, but that is a SMALL % of the world that focuses on such beliefs. We all have our preferences though, I try very hard to not purchase anything stamped "China", for no tangible reason except emotion, but I have no problem purchasing something w/ "France" or "Italy" or "German" stamped... go figure.

 

[Wakefield]

Ireland!
Wright Tool?

 

[Wakefield]

Seriously British stuff must have been some of the best during the WW II era-look at what the Hurricane and the Spitfire did to the Stuka and Messerschmitt. And I understand that some of the best American warplanes of that era had British Merlin engines.
Yet now you don't seem to hear much about British tools.

 

[wafrederick]

Japanese make the best handsaws and they do backwards of cutting.Cut on the pull stroke instead of the push stroke with a cleaner cut.

 

[ecotec]

Japanese make the best handsaws and they do backwards of cutting.Cut on the pull stroke instead of the push stroke with a cleaner cut.

my father-in-law lent me his japanese pull saw. loved it. amazing saw.

 

[american lockpicker]

I prefer all my tools to be Swiss.

 

[Monte]

Japamerigerman tools are the best

 

[HandyManny]

Quote from Handyman: "Some of what we enjoy today was copied and developed from inventions and developments made by people from those ancient empires anyway."

Like Hospitals, Air Conditioning, Ice, and a Judicial System.

Going off of the "US Made" stamp = quality, I don't believe the SO line "People in other countries are offened by the US stamp" for one second... "USA" still equates a stamp of quality and craftsmanship, and is viewed as such around the world... the only reason I can think of "USA" being a limiting factor w/b political, but that is a SMALL % of the world that focuses on such beliefs. We all have our preferences though, I try very hard to not purchase anything stamped "China", for no tangible reason except emotion, but I have no problem purchasing something w/ "France" or "Italy" or "German" stamped... go figure.

The science behind it all came from other ancient civilizations long before us. Do you think mathmatics and science, even metallurgy, was invented, developed and put into practice by the USA? Far from it. Not even by European civilizations. That stuff goes way back.

Ever see those USA stamped Stanley screwrivers they sell at walmart? The red and blue clear acetate handled ones? A perfect example of lack of workmanship and poor quality in a USA made product these days. Buy a set and see how poorly the philips tips fit in a philips screw. Seeing a lot more good examples of poor USA quality in the Craftsman line as the years go by too. No argument that things like Snap-On wrenches, ratchets, and sockets are top notch. Same goes for many tools made by Proto, Wright, S-K, Channellock, etc. But these companies don't represent all USA manufactured tools.

 

[Theloniousmonk]

The science behind it all came from other ancient civilizations long before us. Do you think mathmatics and science, even metallurgy, was invented, developed and put into practice by the USA? Far from it. Not even by European civilizations. That stuff goes way back.

Ever see those USA stamped Stanley screwrivers they sell at walmart? The red and blue clear acetate handled ones? A perfect example of lack of workmanship and poor quality in a USA made product these days. Buy a set and see how poorly the philips tips fit in a philips screw. Seeing a lot more good examples of poor USA quality in the Craftsman line as the years go by too. No argument that things like Snap-On wrenches, ratchets, and sockets are top notch. Same goes for many tools made by Proto, Wright, S-K, Channellock, etc. But these companies don't represent all USA manufactured tools.

I'm in total agreement with you... and as long as these companies continue to follow basic technocratic practices, they'll do more than just tarnish the USA stamp.

And I was using Hospitals, etc... as examples to strengthen your previous post.

 

[HandyManny]

I'm in total agreement with you... and as long as these companies continue to follow basic technocratic practices, they'll do more than just tarnish the USA stamp.

And I was using Hospitals, etc... as examples to strengthen your previous post.

Yeah I know. I didn't think you were challenging it. I just got onto a thought and ran away with it.

 

[bsaint]

Im not partial. I love ingenuity if it isnt Wera ingenuity.

 

[american lockpicker]

Seriously British stuff must have been some of the best during the WW II era-look at what the Hurricane and the Spitfire did to the Stuka and Messerschmitt. And I understand that some of the best American warplanes of that era had British Merlin engines.
Yet now you don't seem to hear much about British tools.

British(UK) quality varies a lot...

 

[Freeborn John]

Seriously British stuff must have been some of the best during the WW II era-look at what the Hurricane and the Spitfire did to the Stuka and Messerschmitt. And I understand that some of the best American warplanes of that era had British Merlin engines.
Yet now you don't seem to hear much about British tools.

The Merlin engine was originally manufactured by Rolls Royce in the UK and was essentially hand built by skilled craftsmen with many hand finished parts.
Eventually huge demand dictated that extra engines be made in the US and Packard got the contract, the Packard Merlins were manufactured using American mass production techniques and (shock horror) female labour. The British prepared to scoff.
When the first US built engines arrived at Rolls Royce they were pounced upon and stripped, inspected and then rebuilt and run to destruction in the RR standard test, they turned out to be superb units and the equal of anything the British could build...much to the chagrin of all those highly skilled RR craftsmen.
I don't think British engineering ever got over the shock.

 

[Mike Hipp]

Wright tools are made in Ohio, USA. They are very good industrial tools.

In my opinion American manufacture Snap-On makes the best hard line (sockets, ratchets, etc) tools.

Knipex (German makes the best plier type tools. e.g. retaining ring pliers. they are forged and fantastic)

Cutting tools from Japan are fantastic.

Gedore (German)makes great striking wrenches and HD tools.

Overall I rank German and America #1
Japan #2
Taiwan #3

The others are not very good

 

[jk47]

I would rate top tier USA, German, and Japanese tools manufactures as equals. Each have their own design philosophy, their strong points, and their weak points. These days I believe there is no definitive number 1 country of manufacture.

 

[XxToolAholicxX]

It doesn't matter where the where product is made its the quality of the product. Labor is cheaper in third world countries and environmental laws are much softer. Much of the truck brand tools are manufactured overseas. And are rebranded as the name people trust and respected over many years. Its not where its made. Its the quality of how its made.



I am a Toolaholic,Sometimes I regret it,Especially when the Toolman won't give me no credit

 

[franzdom]

It's Deja Vu all over again