Unusual countries of origin

[YesIHaveAHammer]

I recently bought a butane torch and bow saw, which turned out to be made in Estonia and Portugal respectively. That got me thinking, have you come across tools made in some less expected countries?

Here in Europe, I'd count as mainstream Germany, France, Italy, Switzerland, Sweden, and Spain - countries with their own tool brands and a long history of tool making (that they didn't mostly give up on e.g. UK). Supported by manufacturing in neighbouring countries, I can think of Czech Republic and Austria.

In Asia, mainstream I see as China, Taiwan, and Japan. Then you have some brands using Vietnam directly, or "product of, finished in China".

In the Americas - US, Canada, and some outsourcing to Mexico from what I read here. I hardly see any of these over here.

So, have you found any tools from unusual places?

 

[alfadan]

Rubber bungies made in Sri Lanka.

 

[four.cycle]

List of Manufacturers and Brands of Mechanics Hand Tools

Domestic (American) manufacturers are at the top end of the list, followed by foreign manufacturers arranged alphabetically.

@Private Lugnutz came in with a small screwdriver made in Haiti.

"Beargrip" brand tools were manufactured in the Netherlands, but they're now made in Slovenia.

 

[1982fxr]

Craftsman had those green floor Jack's back in the 70s or 80s from Sweden, I believe it was.

 

[Firebrick43]

One of the two good NATO jerry can manufactures, wavien/navpro, are made in Latvia.

 

[Firebrick43]

NOGA, Israel

Hand deburring tools, cutting and measuring solutions.

Hand Deburring Tools, Cutting & Measuring Solutions | Noga Engineering

Noga is a global leader in precision engineering tools, deburring systems, holding solutions, and NOGA MT products, serving industries worldwide.

www.noga.com

Example:

View attachment 2414139

View attachment 2414140

As far as I could see, not yet on your list @four.cycle .

Kind regards,
Olli

Israel makes a lot of carbide machining tooling. Iscar is one of the largest in the world

 

[RoninB4]

NOGA, Israel

-Perhaps a bit out of the ordinary to you but Israel has been making Noga brand for decades. I saw the deburr in the 80's along with indicator holders and other pieces used in machine shops. I've been seeing a number of tooling items used in machine shops since the 80's as well like carbide inserts. Israel has also been producing firearms like the Uzi and Desert Eagle pistol for quite a while IIRC.

 

[YesIHaveAHammer]

List of Manufacturers and Brands of Mechanics Hand Tools

Domestic (American) manufacturers are at the top end of the list, followed by foreign manufacturers arranged alphabetically.

Wow, some effort to compile that!

I guess my Bahco bow saw could have come from these, although they don't list the particular model for sale under their own brand.

Tome Feteira / Tome Feteira, S.A., Apartado 1, 2431-909, Vieira de Leiria, Portugal / https://tomefeteira.com/ / files, rasps, saws / https://www.garagejournal.com/forum...portuguese-tool-manufacturing-company.523659/ /

 

[YesIHaveAHammer]

Craftsman had those green floor Jack's back in the 70s or 80s from Sweden, I believe it was.

Swedish tools are pretty mainstream here in Europe.

The punch above their weight too, apparently there's a long tradition of making and using homegrown stuff, and being independent from other countries in all aspects of existing as a country.

 

[four.cycle]

^ Well... essentially, they ALL outsource stuff from one another.... there are very few tool manufacturers who make all of their own product and do not outsource something from somebody... Irega in Spain is one that supplies a great many other companies with adjustable wrenches, but doesn't outsource anything.

I have to assume from your comment you were not previously aware of that list.
For the most current version, you will want to download the notepad *.txt file - the link is in the last post of the thread... link is in the first post.

BK

 

[KnurledNut]

-Perhaps a bit out of the ordinary to you but Israel has been making Noga brand for decades. I saw the deburr in the 80's along with indicator holders and other pieces used in machine shops. I've been seeing a number of tooling items used in machine shops since the 80's as well like carbide inserts. Israel has also been producing firearms like the Uzi and Desert Eagle pistol for quite a while IIRC.

Shaviv has been manufacturing since the 60's.
I really like these 1/4 hex swiveling deburring bits:

 

[Firebrick43]

Shaviv has been manufacturing since the 60's.
I really like these 1/4 hex swiveling deburring bits:

I think they invented the modern deburring tool? I have multiple sets of shaviv. I prefer them to noga deburring tools although i have a few noga in types that shaviv doesn't produce. Noga does produce the best dial indicator mag bases stands however.

 

[3baygarage]

I posted one old double open end before, made in Iran.

 

[willf650]

Israel makes a lot of carbide machining tooling. Iscar is one of the largest in the world

Israel also makes tons of injection molded tool boxes. I believe all the packout stuff and dewalt stuff is. I have a couple parts boxes made by Keter which I believe is the OEM for them all.

 

[lolaetype]

Not tools, but if I can find them I have some knick-knacks marked "Made in Occupied Japan".

I bought some lumber not too long ago at Lowes. The sticker said it came from Finland.

 

[Jlanciani]

I have a Proxxon rotary tool made in Luxombourg. It is amazingly smooth and quiet, way nicer than a Dremel.

 

[Beerhippie]

I have a Proxxon rotary tool made in Luxombourg. It is amazingly smooth and quiet, way nicer than a Dremel.

Where's room for a factory in Luxembourg? Next to the bathroom?

 

[YesIHaveAHammer]

It's interesting how what's "unusual" depends on perspective. Let me remark as an European...

I recently bought a butane torch and bow saw, which turned out to be made in Estonia and Portugal respectively.

Estonia is the size of Ireland but only has 1.4 million people. Portugal is squeezed between Spain and the ocean.

Craftsman had those green floor Jack's back in the 70s or 80s from Sweden, I believe it was.

Sweden is a top 3-5 for tool companies and manufacturing in Europe.

I bought some lumber not too long ago at Lowes. The sticker said it came from Finland.

Handful of companies making axes etc., but not much else. Big on lumber though, but I'm surprised it's economical to ship it all that way.

I have a Proxxon rotary tool made in Luxombourg.

Luxembourg is a tiny country, population under 0.7 million, and an expensive place.

I wouldn't imagine it would be economical to make any non-specialist tool there, but as you say, they do.

 

[Beerhippie]

I was trying to think of a country less likely to produce tools than Luxembourg and the only place I could think of was Andorra--I guess it's more of a protectorate than a separate country?

Anyhow, I Googled it:

Hand Tools Manufacturers Andorra, Hand Tools Suppliers & Exporters in Andorra

Hand Tools Manufacturers in Andorra- We are leading Hand Tools Manufacturers in Andorra, Hand Tools Suppliers and Exporters in Andorra.

www.machinesequipments.com

Yep, tools made in Andorra--about 1/5 the area of Luxembourg and also mostly mountain.

 

[YesIHaveAHammer]

Anyhow, I Googled it:

That website looks like auto generated nonsense.

 

[Beerhippie]

I was trying to think of a country less likely to produce tools than Luxembourg and the only place I could think of was Andorra--I guess it's more of a protectorate than a separate country?

Anyhow, I Googled it:

Hand Tools Manufacturers Andorra, Hand Tools Suppliers & Exporters in Andorra

Hand Tools Manufacturers in Andorra- We are leading Hand Tools Manufacturers in Andorra, Hand Tools Suppliers and Exporters in Andorra.

www.machinesequipments.com

Yep, tools made in Andorra--about 1/5 the area of Luxembourg and also mostly mountain.

Except... " Pipe Wrench, Rigid Type" is clearly Rigid and says Made in USA right on the side....

 

[Beerhippie]

That website looks like auto generated nonsense.

I think that's a new one to me, and it did have me going for a bit.

 

[KnurledNut]

Tullen snips. New Zealand.
https://www.tullen.com/pages/about-tullen?shpxid=6667391c-3b99-4770-ab2a-80afda2b2e99

(Not on your list @fourcycle)

 

[KnurledNut]

Famastil. Brazil. 12" carpenters square.
https://www.famastilferramentas.com/

 

[KnurledNut]

Abloy is the most valued brand in Finland for the second year in a row.
They make some damn fine locks.
https://www.abloy.com/global/en/our-products/products

 

[KnurledNut]

I don't have a picture available, but my Snap-on butane soldering torch is made by Portasol in Ireland.
I believe all their current models still are.
https://portasol.com/

Heyco also has a factory there.

 

[paulsomlo]

Craftsman had those green floor Jack's back in the 70s or 80s from Sweden, I believe it was.

Japan

 

[vssjim]

Japan

My friend still has one

 

[senlow]

My friend still has one

I still have one that I bought new. I prefer it over my Lincoln jack.

 

[MichaelP]

Anybody has a stone hand-ax made in Africa? Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think they started making those before Fiskars.
Oldowan toolkit made in Kenia was one of the finest, and every Garage Journal member should carry one in his truck.

I haven't seen those in Big Box Stores for a while and heard that Apex Tool Group bought the manufacturing facilities.

 

[Monte]

Some Bahco hand tools are made in Argentina. Bahco hole saws are made in Belarus.

 

[1982fxr]

Japan

I have no doubt, but they also had an imported one from Scandinavia.

 

[reader2580]

I bought some DC circuit breakers recently that were made in Lesotho. I learned that Lesotho is a tiny little country completely surrounded by South Africa.

 

[YesIHaveAHammer]

From another thread

I have two of the Veto LC's. They are nice sturdy bags but they have kind of narrow and shallow pockets. I'm an electrician and as much as I've tried I just can't get them to work well for me. They also have way too many pockets for pencil sized items. I looked at some of their other bags but now they are all made in Myanmar and that is one evil regime. You would think they could make them her for the prices they charge.

Confirmed on their website

 

[neophyte]

It's interesting how what's "unusual" depends on perspective. Let me remark as an European...


Estonia is the size of Ireland but only has 1.4 million people. Portugal is squeezed between Spain and the ocean.


Sweden is a top 3-5 for tool companies and manufacturing in Europe.


Handful of companies making axes etc., but not much else. Big on lumber though, but I'm surprised it's economical to ship it all that way.


Luxembourg is a tiny country, population under 0.7 million, and an expensive place.

I wouldn't imagine it would be economical to make any non-specialist tool there, but as you say, they do.

Where's room for a factory in Luxembourg? Next to the bathroom?

Steel industry in Luxembourg - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

Luxembourg used to have an important steel industry, and is still important in the steel industry.
Carbide cutters are also manufactured in Luxembourg, such as some planer blades for hand held power planers, as well as other tooling.

 

[honcho]

Viking hydraulic jack, blue in color, made in Brazil

 

[CoogarXR]

@Private Lugnutz came in with a small screwdriver made in Haiti.

I had one too: https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/dont-be-hatin.407823/post-7553176

 

[mike93lx]

Not a tool, but I saw some wiring in my Volvo that was made in Morocco. Surprised me a bit

 

[Astro_Pneumatic_Tools]

A lot of Irwin HSS drill bits were Brazil before the Stanley purchase

 

[darkzero]

Israel also makes tons of injection molded tool boxes. I believe all the packout stuff and dewalt stuff is. I have a couple parts boxes made by Keter which I believe is the OEM for them all.

As a hobby machinist I'm familiar with all the machining relted stuff made in Israel but I always found it interesting why there was more than one major tool box manufacturer in Isreal.

Keter is the well known one, yes they do make the Packouts for Mikwaukee as well the Ridgid boxes. In Europe the Ridgid boxes can be bought under the Keter brand. I had a number of small Keter hand tool boxes purchased locally, long before the popular modular tool boxes existed. Haven't seen Keter in stores around here in a long time

However I'm 99% sure the Dewalt boxes are not made by Keter. Highly unlikely SB&D would have anything made by the same CM as one of their competitors. When I worked in electronics repair, we were provided with hand tool boxes by ZAG Industries, made in Israel. SB&D bought out ZAG, I'm pretty sure that's who makes the Israeli plastic/composite boxes for SB&D. SB&D also bought out Waterloo.