New IRWIN pliers made in Germany !!!!

[monomach]

Just buy them from NWS, guys. If Irwin sells enough of these to make these a long-term item in their catalog, they'll just move production to China as soon as the contract is up, anyway. It's what Irwin does.

 

[Wamsutta]

Just buy them from NWS, guys.

That's what I'd do. If one of my buddies saw a pair of Irwin pliers over at my house they'd think I started buying Chinese tools.

 

[ADSR]

Just buy them from NWS, guys. If Irwin sells enough of these to make these a long-term item in their catalog, they'll just move production to China as soon as the contract is up, anyway. It's what Irwin does.

No one local has them! And i can't buy tools like this online because of my OCD. I need them in my hand to make sure they open and close / check alignment and finish. I handle 10 pairs of channellocks before i buy them. And trust me, they're not all the same.

 

[nicksnothereman]

Irwin finally offers professional grade hand tools for the first time since 1885

 

[monomach]

That's what I'd do. If one of my buddies saw a pair of Irwin pliers over at my house they'd think I started buying Chinese tools.

For sure. I can't stand the thought of buying their stuff. They had like an 80% share of locking pliers sales and STILL moved them to China to raise the profit margin. It's not like a competitor was forcing their hand.

Irwin is China's best friend.

 

[toolmuchtool]

China is Irwin's best freind.

 

[archirelic]

I'd like to see Irwin expand their offerings to eventually include all of the most common NWS pliers offerings.

 

[honcho]

As I wrote in an earlier post in this thread, I think supporting NWS directly is a good choice, especially if the pricing for the Irwin labeled pliers is similar. I do realize that relabeling can make sense for many businesses and may even have benefits for end users.

As regulars on GJ know, relabeling of tools is a common and old practice. Most manufacturers don't or can't manufacture everything they want to sell with their brand(s) so they buy parts and products from other manufacturers who are sometimes even fierce competitors.

In the automotive world, you had Honda and Isuzu relabeling each other's vehicles. Toyota was, for years, buying engine blocks from a GM factory. GM bought complete engines from Honda for Saturn

In the tool world, we enjoy finding the much less expensive OEM versions of
tools sold by Snap On like the Kastar / Lang rethreading set. Sometimes it's a win-win-win. Here's a possible scenario that works for Kastar/Lang, Snap On and consumers. Something similar may work for NWS and Irwin

1. Kastar / Lang selling to Snap On sells more of their tools, fully utilizing their factories and workers. Additionally, because they're making more product, they can secure better pricing on their inputs like steel, increasing their margins on all of their production.

2. Snap On makes their catalog more complete without having to establish production for what may be a low volume tool. The avoid the costs of design, engineering, manufacturing. Snap On adds value for their customers by providing service and parts support.

3. Savvy shoppers who buy a less expensive Kastar / Lang version get the satisfaction of knowing their using a quality product because, by and large Snap On doesn't risk it's reputation by selling questionable tools. They may not get the Snap On warranty, but in many cases have access to replacement parts through Snap On. Less knowledgeable shoppers may not know or care about the relationship between Kastar/Lang and Snap On but benefit from Kastar/Lang products more readily available from a variety of sources and having a quality manufacturer remain financially viable to produce existing and new products into the future.

My example is far from complete. Heck, for all we know NWS may soon be owned by Irwin or some affiliated business entity.

In the end, which pliers will you use? Today, probably whatever you have in your toolbox.

 

[franzdom]

I love the colors but am not fond that they all say ViseGrip on them, kind of meh.

 

[vssjim]

People on GJ maybe but for the common person Irwin has brand recognition, NWS does not. They also still manufacture drill bits, taps and dies, twist sockets, and im sure other things in the states as well.

They have not made drill bits in the US for a LONG time.

 

[GTO]

I would buy the off set needle nose. Wonder if lowes or depot will be carrying these.

I bought the NWS offsets from a guy here on GJ, I haven't even used them once.Nice pliers though.

 

[kiatech]

Maybe now ill buy a pair of fantasticos

 

[SantaAna12]

Alot of love for some tools that haven't been used yet. Been dropped yet. Been loaded yet. Is the steel used up to it or did they save money (hard to tell without the test of time). Does the knurling stand up to hard use? Sideplay in the joint?

Just sayin.

 

[espyking83]

Irwin just showed up on my radar.

Nothing beats German pliers.

 

[Qualitytools]

Are you saying Lowes bought out Orchards Supply Hardware?

Yes sir they have, that I know for a fact because I have a good friend that is in management at Lowe's!

 

[JDon99]

Let's just hope that Irwin is not buying NWS. If that happens, the Fantasticos will eventually turn into Chintasticos.

 

[Monte]

btw. they have not (yet) outsourced everything
so not everything Irwin offers is from China

 

[upgrading]

I'm in the "screw Irwin" camp.
Seems more and more people are carrying NWS. I agree one should purchase from them.

Would not surprise me if Irwin leaches onto the name and then acquires and outsources NWS.
Don't worry German peeps, they will still call the China pliers "original NWS pliers".

 

[Farmall450]

I didn't see that coming. I would like to check those out.

Same here.

 

[pendragon1998]

Up until (at least) 2012, the 'Made in Germany' label was applied if the final manufacturing process took place in Germany, even if 90% of the product was made elsewhere (e.g., China). In 2012, the EU was pushing to require 45% or more of the product be made in Germany to get the label, but I do not know if the measure passed. Can anyone add to that?

 

[jeffmoss26]

if I could see them in person first I might be inclined to give them a shot.

 

[Skin]

They have not made drill bits in the US for a LONG time.

Fairly certain the stepped bits and cobalt left twist bits are still made in the US.

 

[Farmall450]

Fairly certain the stepped bits and cobalt left twist bits are still made in the US.

I believe so. Some of the Hansen stuff as well.

 

[monomach]

My local Lowe's is carrying the 8" diagonal cutters. $39.99. That's about a buck more than Chad's Tool Box charges for the NWS version.

 

[espyking83]

Up until (at least) 2012, the 'Made in Germany' label was applied if the final manufacturing process took place in Germany, even if 90% of the product was made elsewhere (e.g., China). In 2012, the EU was pushing to require 45% or more of the product be made in Germany to get the label, but I do not know if the measure passed. Can anyone add to that?

That is quality info right there, was about to go buy a whole set because I've been in the market for a quality pliers set for a while now. If I'm paying German prices I for damned sure want a German product, made by Weissbier drinking Germans by God.

 

[dede2897234]

My local Lowe's is carrying the 8" diagonal cutters. $39.99. That's about a buck more than Chad's Tool Box charges for the NWS version.

monomach,

Is your Lowe's carrying the Vise-Grip diagonal cutters in the tool department or the electrical aisle with the hand tools?

If in the tool department, is it next to the Irwin Vise-Grip locking pliers?


Thanks,

Dave

 

[monomach]

monomach,

Is your Lowe's carrying the Vise-Grip diagonal cutters in the tool department or the electrical aisle with the hand tools?

If in the tool department, is it next to the Irwin Vise-Grip locking pliers?


Thanks,

Dave

Tool department, in a freestanding cardboard display next to the endcap that the vises are on. Pretty far from the pliers.

 

[quattroJoe]

Fairly certain the stepped bits and cobalt left twist bits are still made in the US.

Unless they've changed in the last six months, you're right, Irwin step bits are still US made.

 

[BJ42LX]

I saw this commercial on Velocity last evening:

http://www.ispot.tv/ad/7ClW/irwin-vice-grip-curved-jaw-locking-pliers-hmm

 

[kiatech]

Stopped by lowes, didnt see any and of course the tool guy had no idea what I was talking about even though I showed him pictures on my phone.

 

[JDon99]

Stopped by lowes, didnt see any and of course the tool guy had no idea what I was talking about even though I showed him pictures on my phone.

I stopped by mine Wed morning after work and had the same thing happen. Guy didn't know anything abut it and said to just keep checking in for them.

 

[kiatech]

Im pretty sure the wire size chart on the back is not correct... it can cut bigger piano wire than it can copper?

 

[kythri]

Yay, Irwin's our best friend again.

 

[BJ42LX]

Where'd you buy those?

 

[kiatech]

Where'd you buy those?

I went to the busiest lowes around town and found them in a stand alone display. The display only holds 10 of them, I was going to take a picture but I accidentally left my phone at the house.

You can also get them on amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00N3VSPF0/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[1998chevt]

Anyone know the NWS part number for the longer 9.5" lineman's pliers that are offered under the Irwin name? This would be the Irwin part numbers 1902415 and 1902416.
Best I can tell, these look to be exclusive to Irwin in this size.
http://toolguyd.com/irwin-nws-pliers/

 

[JKennedy]

Wow I can't wait to get my hands on these!! Anyone know how they compare to knipex?
I've always used klein but I'd like to branch out.

 

[petalmasher]

re-branded NWS, much like the Klein Claw plieers?

 

[FMC1959]

Found this on Amazon, not cheap
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00N3VSPF0/?tag=atomicindus08-20

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00N2GY3AC/?tag=atomicindus08-20

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00N3VSYAG/?tag=atomicindus08-20

many places to get the real McCoy for less, e.g.
http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=71973&cat=1,43456,43400,71969

 

[TOOL FANATIK]

I saw this commercial on Velocity last evening:

http://www.ispot.tv/ad/7ClW/irwin-vice-grip-curved-jaw-locking-pliers-hmm

yea i caught that too the other day, and then last night my fiance paused it for me to show me. looks like only the side cutters in the commercial are made in Germany.