Tools of Japan

[losvre]

Doubt you will be disappointed, they're good tools!

In case you weren't aware, Only Quality Tools in the U.K. often have (very good) offers on these!

Many thanks Dave,

I buy most tools from onlyqualitytools dot com as their price are good for UK market and Mark provides good advice as well as very quick shipping.

I tend to support local business rather than Amazon.

Ebay I also use since I know many individuals selling there.

 

[Pen3]

Just ordered the TONE compact ratchets in all 3 sizes (RH2CHS, RH3CH, RH4CH) off Rakuten. Can't wait to give them a try.

 

[Default_Man]

Was looking for a 3/8" socket set from koken, but ended up with KTC since there were no koken rep. in my area that sells the Z-eal version. Plus, the seller that offered me KTC made a deal that I couldn't refuse. Also got myself a 15 degree DBE wrench to try for, overall I'm really satisfied with KTC's stuffs.

 

[dede2897234]

Was looking for a 3/8" socket set from koken, but ended up with KTC since there were no koken rep. in my area that sells the Z-eal version. Plus, the seller that offered me KTC made a deal that I couldn't refuse. Also got myself a 15 degree DBE wrench to try for, overall I'm really satisfied with KTC's stuffs.

Default_Man,

Welcome to the Garage Journal! Very nice KTC hand tools!

Do you live in the United States? If so, would you mind sharing the physical address, telephone number, and website address for this KTC tools representative?


Thanks,

Dave

 

[DSM_PWR]

I was considering placing an order with Frankstools and I could have sworn he had 15% or it might have been more off all his stuff just yesterday. I read on the website it was going to be through the end of the month. Now it is down to 10% off. Anybody know why?

 

[rice rocket]

He wanted to make more money?

Thanks for the heads up though, I might have an order to make...

 

[Default_Man]

Default_Man,

Welcome to the Garage Journal! Very nice KTC hand tools!

Do you live in the United States? If so, would you mind sharing the physical address, telephone number, and website address for this KTC tools representative?


Thanks,

Dave

Hey Dave, thanks for the warm welcome!

Nope, I'm in Indonesia now, although I used to live in the US for several years there.
TBH it's pretty hard to find hi-quality tools here. That's why I ended up KTC.

 

[Peeb]

<a href="http://upic.me/show/57272162" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://upic.me/i/gb/e1001.jpg"></a> <a href="http://upic.me/show/57272163" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://upic.me/i/19/sw002.jpg"></a> <a href="http://upic.me/show/57272164" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://upic.me/i/ku/08y003.jpg"></a> <a href="http://upic.me/show/57272165" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://upic.me/i/00/5d004.jpg"></a> <a href="http://upic.me/show/57272166" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://upic.me/i/7y/vb005.jpg"></a> <a href="http://upic.me/show/57272167" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://upic.me/i/3e/x6006.jpg"></a> <a href="http://upic.me/show/57272168" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://upic.me/i/zc/8i007.jpg"></a>

 

[Pen3]

Just got my Tone compact ratchets and boy they are tiny.

1/2 with a 22mm Tone hex and the 3/8 with a 19mm Zeal.

 

[Blitz180]

Just some info that I thought I would share. I found this on Yahoo! Answers Japan, while searching for a comparison between TONE and KTC. Pardon the horrible Engrish, that's Google Translate's fault. My Kanji isn't advanced enough to read more than second grade books, right now. LOL.

ANYWAY... This person was talking about In-House vs. OEM tools manufacturing. This list has the companies and what their specialty is. It was assumed that most of the other tools in their lineups are OEM purchases. Anyways, thought it might help some people.

Also, please note that Japan manufacturers, such as Annex and Sun (Drivers) and Keiba (nippers, pliers) are gone from the list, though I do know they are made in Japan. My tool guy down the road has told me before however that Fujiya (Fuji Arrow in the translation, as the YA means arrow.) is the best nipper in Japan. When it came to standard pliers for gripping, he said Fujiya and Engineer were neck and neck.

__________________________________________________________

Because it is hard to export all, when you described the purchase manufacturers and the tool of the recommended (but will be centered on the domestic manufacturer)
Driver bit like VESSEL
Socket wrench, wrench, etc. TONE · KTC · TOP
Nippers, pliers, etc. Fuji arrow or MERRY (Muromoto)
Spanner TONE · ASH · SUPER like Monkey pliers, etc. EBI
Allen wrench PB (only here is the overseas manufacturers.)
Roughly, it looks like.
____________________________________________________________

Hope this helps some guys in their Japanese tool collecting.

 

[Dave455]

Out of curiosity I just had a look at the Tone website.

There wasn't much on it before, at least not the English language version, but they've updated it a bit and there's a downloadable catalogue which is well worth downloading!

They make a huge range of those new ratchets. The 3/8 drive alone come in 4 different lengths, and there are loads of options. There's a gorgeous looking roto head too!

I don't know about you guys, but while I like my european made tools, you have to give the Japanese manufacturers credit for all the variations they offer! Even firms such as Stahlwille, who offer quite a few variations of ratchet, can't even get close to the range that Tone offer, and they're just one manufacturer!

For socket wrenches and accessories I find it hard to beat KoKen, especially as they are so reasonably priced where I live, but I'm liking a lot of this Tone stuff too. I like the look of these new ratchets, but I'd be interested to find out how durable their Hex and Torx bits are too!

 

[rice rocket]

While I'm sure Tone stuff is excellent, I can't help by being blinded by how well finished the Nepros ratchets are. If I'm going to import a ratchet from Japan, it'll most likely be a Nepros. The amount of blang really puts everything else out of mind.

I have the Ko-ken Z-EAL 3/8 sockets, which are great, but their ratchets are just don't have the same *** appeal.

 

[Dandoni]

Pen3

Just curious to what the quality of the Top Tool ratchet ringies are like?

 

[Blitz180]

Dandoni: I can't reply as to the quality of that particular tool, but Top seems like a solid Sunday Mechanic's brand, overall.

I love Tone, as well. I got some KILLER deals on reversible ratchet wrenches, in 14, 17, and 19mm at the local home center yesterday. about 1,400 Yen each. Half-Off! I also picked up the Tone bit driver set for 2,700 yen! It normally goes for around 50 bucks. Also had a deal on some Vessel and Annex that I didn't hesitate at. Spent about 7,000 yen, and my wife never batted an eye! Gotta love Japan.... sometimes... I'll take pics soon!

 

[dutchgray]

Got a couple new things,
View media item 55420Koken 3/8" sliding T, as perfect as you would expect for Koken and a first pair of Keiba pliers, there will be more of these coming in the future as well.

 

[Tepid87]

Got a couple new things,
View media item 55420Koken 3/8" sliding T, as perfect as you would expect for Koken and a first pair of Keiba pliers, there will be more of these coming in the future as well.

Ko-kens T-bars are great. The oval shank is very clever engineering and the notch in the middle makes it a perfect T-handle spinner.

 

[SantaAna12]

Ko-kens T-bars are great. The oval shank is very clever engineering and the notch in the middle makes it a perfect T-handle spinner.

??? Helps to keep in desired position?

 

[Tepid87]

??? Helps to keep in desired position?

Yes, the square drive does not turn around the shank and an oval shank is stronger --> the diameter is larger in the direction of which force is applied.

 

[dutchgray]

The bar is oval so wont spin round in the drive end, makes is less likely for the socket to tip of a fastener I suppose. Up to now I have only had a cheap sliding T in 3/8" and the Koken is so much nicer.

 

[Dave455]

While I'm sure Tone stuff is excellent, I can't help by being blinded by how well finished the Nepros ratchets are. If I'm going to import a ratchet from Japan, it'll most likely be a Nepros. The amount of blang really puts everything else out of mind.

I have the Ko-ken Z-EAL 3/8 sockets, which are great, but their ratchets are just don't have the same *** appeal.

Too right! The Nepros are in a different league, but to be fair, so are the prices!

The Nepros stuff I have acquired seems to retain its finish too, which is a nice bonus!

For Koken, consider the regular range rather than the zeal The latter is really a specialized range for tight access. For some reason though, folks in the U.S. automatically seem to think Z series when you talk about Koken!

Don't know if the U.S. importer doesn't carry much of the regular range, or if all the recent publicity has surrounded the Z series? The regular ratchets are far nicer though!

 

[Dave455]

Got a couple new things,
View media item 55420Koken 3/8" sliding T, as perfect as you would expect for Koken and a first pair of Keiba pliers, there will be more of these coming in the future as well.

Nice looking Keiba Dutch!

Are they as good as is rumored?

I do a fair bit of assembly work so am using pliers a lot, and have been eyeing up the Keiba range!

Where did you source those from?

 

[SantaAna12]

Nice! Added to shopping list.

 

[dutchgray]

Dave455
Got the Keiba on ebay, I haven't used them much yet, only to try them out.
They are quality though.

 

[mercucho]

Latest additions to my garage:

 

[gbh]

Today's little purchase.

 

[gbh]

I took this pic if anyone is interested.
I'm trying to find the best ratchet ring spanners for my needs and budget.
I laid these 10 mm spanners out to compare. I just wanted to get a good side by side comparison. None were bad, I think I ended up just as confused as I started &#55357;&#56835;
I can only say the TOP flex head was slightly larger than the others.
And, not pictured, I was disappointed with the feel of the Tone flex head, very notchy. That was surprising as all my other Tone tools are very nice.

 

[BK13]

The KTC look interesting. I assume they are not reversible?

 

[redvalkyrie]

Maybe you guys can help me out? I'm looking for some Japanese made larger sized flex head ratcheting wrenches. 24mm, 27mm, 32mm. I've never needed one that large before but yesterday I did--and of course, did not have it. What would have been a ten minute job turned into two hours as I couldn't get not flex head wrench nor a ratchet and socket into the space available.

Thanks
JP

 

[OkRider]

Knives are tools. Hope you guys got a spare hour or two.

http://www.japaneseknifedirect.com

http://japanesechefsknife.com

 

[Davefr]

Fujikawa Yasaku oire-nomi:

 

[ricleh]

Some new purchases from Frankstools.

 

[dutchgray]

Nice lot, loads of great Koken sockets, let us know what those wheel nut torque brace jobbies are like to use, I was looking at them but for the amount of tire rotations I do on my own stuff it would have to be a very good tool to replace using a standard clicker.

 

[ricleh]

Nice lot, loads of great Koken sockets, let us know what those wheel nut torque brace jobbies are like to use, I was looking at them but for the amount of tire rotations I do on my own stuff it would have to be a very good tool to replace using a standard clicker.

I've had one for a while and I like it. I decided to get 2 more so I can carry one in each of my vehicles.

 

[Van Steele]

Anex mini impact driver and bits, and MTC pliers. Not the smoothest I must say.

 

[morgaj1]

What are these?

 

[BK13]

Some new purchases from Frankstools.

Nice!

 

[ricleh]

What are these?

Lug nut torque wrenches.

 

[mercucho]

Today's little purchase.

Very nice mini-screwdrivers.

 

[mercucho]

Some new purchases from Frankstools.

I am filled with envy.

 

[gbh]

The KTC look interesting. I assume they are not reversible?

Yes, not reversible. I think that the KTC will probably win out when I do decide to buy but as I said, they were all pretty good.

Very nice mini-screwdrivers.

Yes, I think Vessel make good stuff. I was disappointed in my Anex (made in Japan) flathead 1.8 screwdriver. After tightening the arm on a pair of Wayfarer sunglasses a few times the tip of the screwdriver has developed a sizeable bend in the tip. Maybe Vessel will perform better?
I shouldn't complain given how inexpensive they were.