Ko-ken Tools -- What Makes this Brand Special !?!?
- Thread starter superautobacs
- Start date
OP
superautobacs
Well-known member
Comparison between a Nepros and a Ko-ken Zeal ratchet. Both are 3/8" drive sizes.
Zeal obviously has no quick release.
Zeal 36-tooth / Nepros 90-tooth
Both have unique ratcheting mechanisms that have low-drag backstrokes.
The Nepros compares similarly to a Snap-on Dual-80 mechanism with the ratcheting feel.
The Zeal is unlike anything else I've felt---ultra smooth, super low-drag (smoother than Ko-ken's standard models).
Directional levers are recessed on both.
Controlling the directional lever is a minimal effort on the Zeal; the Nepros takes more effort to change directions.
For the size, the Nepros is lightweight; the Zeal, for its size is a bit weighty, but balanced.
The Zeal flex-head utilizes a sprung ball built into the handle, which provides consistent friction against the head.
I've had the Zeal for about 1.5 years and it's flawless.
Head is slightly shallower for the Zeal. Yeah, not the best shot.
Came up with this the other day to get to a differential fill plug. Saved me time from having to remove other stuff in order to get to it.
A Zeal universal -- with two Ko-ken stubby wobble-fix extensions.
Perfect photo-op for Ko-ken's thin-wall impact wheel socket with protective sleeve.
Sorry for the crappy cell phone pics
Zeal obviously has no quick release.
Zeal 36-tooth / Nepros 90-tooth
Both have unique ratcheting mechanisms that have low-drag backstrokes.
The Nepros compares similarly to a Snap-on Dual-80 mechanism with the ratcheting feel.
The Zeal is unlike anything else I've felt---ultra smooth, super low-drag (smoother than Ko-ken's standard models).
Directional levers are recessed on both.
Controlling the directional lever is a minimal effort on the Zeal; the Nepros takes more effort to change directions.
For the size, the Nepros is lightweight; the Zeal, for its size is a bit weighty, but balanced.
The Zeal flex-head utilizes a sprung ball built into the handle, which provides consistent friction against the head.
I've had the Zeal for about 1.5 years and it's flawless.
Head is slightly shallower for the Zeal. Yeah, not the best shot.
Came up with this the other day to get to a differential fill plug. Saved me time from having to remove other stuff in order to get to it.
A Zeal universal -- with two Ko-ken stubby wobble-fix extensions.
Perfect photo-op for Ko-ken's thin-wall impact wheel socket with protective sleeve.
Sorry for the crappy cell phone pics
Attachments
Last edited:
OP
superautobacs
Well-known member
Ko-ken's second generation, thin-wall impact wheel socket, compared with a standard impact socket (both 17mm in 1/2" drive):
The thin-wall socket is colour-coded for instant ID'ing and the white "<17 Ko-ken" is marked on two sides, making it much easier for the eye to see the rotating speed of the socket during tightening.
The shaft is purposely necked-down to create a torsion zone, limiting the torque output; however, this is NOT a torque stick.
With the protective cap on:
Without the sleeve, the OD is essentially the same as a chrome socket equivalent:
Big difference on the other side:
The thin-wall socket is colour-coded for instant ID'ing and the white "<17 Ko-ken" is marked on two sides, making it much easier for the eye to see the rotating speed of the socket during tightening.
The shaft is purposely necked-down to create a torsion zone, limiting the torque output; however, this is NOT a torque stick.
With the protective cap on:
Without the sleeve, the OD is essentially the same as a chrome socket equivalent:
Big difference on the other side:
Attachments
OP
superautobacs
Well-known member
Monte,
Any bits to go along with that bit holder?
Any bits to go along with that bit holder?
ran out of moneyMonte,
Any bits to go along with that bit holder?
Next month....
OP
superautobacs
Well-known member
General Geoff
Well-known member
Just got my first ko-ken tools in. Their quality appears to be outstanding. Click the photos for super-high resolution:
OP
superautobacs
Well-known member
General Geoff,
Your Pittsburgh tools might need to mingle closer to eachother to make room for more Ko-ken stuff. 
Some new Ko-ken tools I got:
From left:
1/2" drive impact socket with a double universal
3/8" drive super shallow Zeal socket (21mm)
5/16" bits (T-50 / 55)
1/4" drive Zeal ratchet
ratchet spinner adaptor (1/4" female --> 3/8" male)
ratchet spinner (3/8" drive)
3/8" drive bit socket (9mm)
Zeal extension adaptor (3/8" female --> 1/4" male)
Your Pittsburgh tools might need to mingle closer to eachother to make room for more Ko-ken stuff.
Some new Ko-ken tools I got:
From left:
1/2" drive impact socket with a double universal
3/8" drive super shallow Zeal socket (21mm)
5/16" bits (T-50 / 55)
1/4" drive Zeal ratchet
ratchet spinner adaptor (1/4" female --> 3/8" male)
ratchet spinner (3/8" drive)
3/8" drive bit socket (9mm)
Zeal extension adaptor (3/8" female --> 1/4" male)
Attachments
OP
superautobacs
Well-known member
OP
superautobacs
Well-known member
I don't own any Dual 80's, but I've compared it with the 3/8" Nepros. The Nepros is more compact than the SO, but the Zeal is even further compact than the Nepros. So, yes, a significant difference in width and thickness between a Zeal and Dual 80.
OP
superautobacs
Well-known member
cbg
New member
At the start of my apprenticeship I brought my first 1/2 drive koken socket set imperial, whitworth and metric in one carry case ,multi hex sockets ,
All heavy work,tractors and trucks 35 years ago in New Zealand ,cost $120.00
I would rate them like my fathers proto sockets ,that i still have some ,
he had 3/4 ,1/2 and 3/8 proto socket sets ,that was over sixty years ago ,
sadly he sold larger tools after leaving the trade not thinking the youngest son would also go to mechanics,most of his special spanners for odd or had to get places were proto, but the cost of proto was too much for my start,
about two years ago i purchased a new 3/8 Koken ratchet ,nice feel and action ,cost $60 Australian dollars .
All heavy work,tractors and trucks 35 years ago in New Zealand ,cost $120.00
I would rate them like my fathers proto sockets ,that i still have some ,
he had 3/4 ,1/2 and 3/8 proto socket sets ,that was over sixty years ago ,
sadly he sold larger tools after leaving the trade not thinking the youngest son would also go to mechanics,most of his special spanners for odd or had to get places were proto, but the cost of proto was too much for my start,
about two years ago i purchased a new 3/8 Koken ratchet ,nice feel and action ,cost $60 Australian dollars .
ricleh
Well-known member
Comparison of Koken Zeal 1/4" ratchet with some others.
Left to right - Koken Zeal, Stahlwille, Hazet coarse, Hazet fine tooth, Gedore, Snapon T72, Snapon T936, Snapon TM70C, Snapon low profile with adapter, Craftsman RHFT, Felo old style, Felo new style, Nepros standard, Nepros small, Wera bit ratchet with adapter
Attachments
Last edited:
.awesome collection.congratulations! Farmall450
Well-known member
Nice or not, I'm still a fan of made in the USA
ricleh
Well-known member
I'm a fan of good tools. Some are made in the USA and some are not.
Farmall450
Well-known member
The only thing I can see being better than SK/SO or even Cman is their specialty tools, which the average joe doesn't use very often...
ricleh
Well-known member
Have you ever used Nepros, Koken, Stahlwille, Hazet, Felo, Wiha, Wera, PBSwiss, Orbis, NWS, Knipex, Gedore, Vessel, KTC, IPS, Sunflag? I am speaking from personal experience and preference, not some preconceived notion of USA superiority. And I am not talking about "specialty tools". 70% of my tools are USA made, but that doesn't alter the fact that there are tools that are as good or better that were made outside the USA. I actually use the tools and make my decisions based on my personal experience.
richfinn
Well-known member
Me too, but at a 3rd of the price of Snap-on (In the UK at least) you can't knock Koken. All my 3/8 metrics and my 1/4 deeps are now Koken.
Quality wise it's just as good as the USA stuff I own.
I wish they made wrenches
OP
superautobacs
Well-known member
Ricleh,
It would also be nice to see a side profile for all those ratchets.
Excluding the Wera bit ratchet, in terms of head dimensions, is the Ko-ken Zeal the most compact of the bunch?
It would also be nice to see a side profile for all those ratchets.
Excluding the Wera bit ratchet, in terms of head dimensions, is the Ko-ken Zeal the most compact of the bunch?
Nocturnal-G
Well-known member
Anyone have experience with Koken impact sockets? If so, how are they?
Monte,
Any bits to go along with that bit holder?
got my november money
November is almost around the corner.
finally got some 11mm bits... 7,8 and 10mm hex....ordered various torx and XZN too but they´re sold out at Koken Europe it seems...
TurboCup87
Well-known member
I have a single Koken tool. It's a 19 mm aluminum socket meant for use on Porsche's aluminum and magnesium wheel nuts.
steveo3002
Well-known member
wheres best to buy these tools in the uk?
Dave455
Well-known member
Consolidated tools in Manchester!
Just google 'em and give 'em a call!
There are other places but Consolidated seem to keep a lot of stuff in stock and are really keen on the pricing!
OP
superautobacs
Well-known member
Monte,
Any reason why you went with Ko-ken instead of say, Wera's square -> 1/4" bit holder?
Any reason why you went with Ko-ken instead of say, Wera's square -> 1/4" bit holder?
afaik the Wera bit holders are not impact rated. And the other German companies (Hazet, Gedore...) doesn´t offer quick release holders only with circlip.
spacedoutbob
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 4, 2013
- Messages
- 149
I have a few Koken tools that I purchased from a fellow called Tool Network here in the SF Bay Area, he has a website. I've been happy with what I have purchased from him. He also sells Hazet and Stahlwille tools.
Bob
Bob
i have a couple of SAE sockets. The fitment is good but i can´t say something about durability because i´m only a DIY user. But i doubt you will be disappointed with a Koken product.
OP
superautobacs
Well-known member
I guess I can chime in a bit about the durability of Koken's impact sockets. I haven't used them for too long though (a little over one year). The 1/2" drive 17mm deep socket gets the most use.
As a matter of fact, the thin-walled wheel impact socket that was my go-to socket for wheel bolt removal finally bit the dust after extensive use. It was my go-to because of the necked-down shaft, its longer length (longer than standard deepwells), and for its protective sleeve. I must say that 98% of the time I could've gotten away with using a standard deepwell socket, but the thin-wall impact was soo much easier to work with that I kept using it even when the situation didn't call for it. So, after 1+ year of use, the broached end now has one hairline crack at the thinnest spot.
I've now switched to using their standard deepwell socket about a month ago. The amount of deformation, or the lack thereof, on the square end is impressive.
I'm impressed with their impact stuff and have no hesitation to acquire more.
As a matter of fact, the thin-walled wheel impact socket that was my go-to socket for wheel bolt removal finally bit the dust after extensive use. It was my go-to because of the necked-down shaft, its longer length (longer than standard deepwells), and for its protective sleeve. I must say that 98% of the time I could've gotten away with using a standard deepwell socket, but the thin-wall impact was soo much easier to work with that I kept using it even when the situation didn't call for it. So, after 1+ year of use, the broached end now has one hairline crack at the thinnest spot.
I've now switched to using their standard deepwell socket about a month ago. The amount of deformation, or the lack thereof, on the square end is impressive.
I'm impressed with their impact stuff and have no hesitation to acquire more.
Applesauce
Well-known member
OP
superautobacs
Well-known member
Scenes from Ko-ken's factory in 2006 (scanned from Factory Gear Magazine).
Their office houses some of their decommissioned machines that are cleaned and preserved.
The author mentions the Ko-ken factory is the cleanest tool manufacturing facility he's ever been to (he's been to many, including US, European, and Asian).
Just a few of their specialty socket types/practical features Ko-ken offers.
Their office houses some of their decommissioned machines that are cleaned and preserved.
The author mentions the Ko-ken factory is the cleanest tool manufacturing facility he's ever been to (he's been to many, including US, European, and Asian).
Just a few of their specialty socket types/practical features Ko-ken offers.