Where do you guys buy your Koken tools?

[American Locomotive]

So a buddy of mine has been using his father's Snap-On tools for years now, but now that he finally has a place of his own, his father told him it's probably about time he goes out and buys his own tools.

The original plan was to get a few nice ratchets - say Snap-On or Proto, and then compliment them with a full set of Craftsman sockets. Well we went to a local Sears that was closing, hoping to utilize that 20% discount only to find that all their socket production had been moved to China. At that point if you're gonna buy Chinese sockets, you might as well just save half the money and get something like Kobalt instead, since the quality would probably be similar anyways.

So that lead us on a huge search to try and find some high-quality, yet reasonably priced American made tools. It appears that such a thing doesn't exist. The tool-truck brands want insane money for a basic 10 or 12 piece socket rail. The S-K brand was the only reasonably priced American manufacturer we could find, at about 1/2-1/4 of the cost of equivalent Snap-On stuff. But then we read they've been having a lot of quality issues lately, so we're shying away from them.

Then we discovered the Japanese brands like Koken and Nepros, and the rave reviews they get. We were shocked to discover that the Koken pricing is actually fairly reasonable - more inline with SK rather than the tool-truck brands - from places like Frank's Tools and Tool Pan.

However, the selection on both Frank's Tools and Tool Pan is pretty limited. I was wondering if you guys knew where else to find Koken sockets and tools, or are Tool Pan and Frank's Tools about the only way to get them?

Thanks a ton!

 

[Loscaldazar]

Rakuten Global from i-tools. Gets here pretty quick and good customer service (USPS destroyed the shipping label on it, they i-tools handled it really well and I got my tools).

 

[Empty Pockets]

Why not just go with SK? Quality American tools, GREAT customer service

 

[American Locomotive]

Why not just go with SK? Quality American tools, GREAT customer service

As mentioned, we looked into them, but saw complaint after complaint about quality and QC issues. As well as customer service problems.

 

[B_Bimmer]

Try a set, if you're using them and not polishing them you'll probably be very happy. If you do have any issues SK will take care of you.

 

[FMC1959]

Frankstools is a GJ member and IIRC, he can order pretty much anything on the Koken catalog.

Another to consider for great quality and price is Toptul, and dnscmidt a GJ member distributes them at great prices. He can't get everything because Toptul imposes minimums which can be hard to meet. He does have a pretty extensive collection.

 

[Fcvapor05]

Wright Tool Co. Don't look back.

 

[LXCam]

As mentioned, we looked into them, but saw complaint after complaint about quality and QC issues. As well as customer service problems.

Most of those complaints most likely came from right here on GJ. Some of these guys would ***** if you hung them with a new rope. Just remember they're sockets, not jewelry.

Frankstools is a GJ member and IIRC, he can order pretty much anything on the Koken catalog.

Another to consider for great quality and price is Toptul, and dnscmidt a GJ member distributes them at great prices. He can't get everything because Toptul imposes minimums which can be hard to meet. He does have a pretty extensive collection.

Count me in on these recommendations as well.

 

[tonyciambrone]

What? Did somebody say...TOPTUL?

But yes Wright Tools is also a really great manufacturer and is U.S.A made. Wouldn't trade my wrightgrips, have used some miscellaneous chrome and impact sockets of theirs as well and they have held up.

 

[M6erfan]

Shoot Frank at Frankstools an email, he can get you anything in the Koken catalog. Or iTools/Rakuten like someone mentioned earlier.

There should be no disappointments with Ko-ken, they are a top notch manufacturer with outstanding quality control. IMO, they are an extremely good value. KTC (Kyoto Tool) wrenches are also very, very good and available through Frank as well...

While I do think SK complaints can be overblown, count me as one who has been disappointed in the last year. (Sockets with off center broaching, non existent ball detents etc.). However, you may want to give SK a chance, they are making efforts to improve QC.

 

[Olafur]

Sorry guys but you can't compare SK and Wright to Koken.

 

[potato]

Nepros is another option.

 

[gdocktor3]

Consider Gearwrench. Get the 1/4" and 3/8" sets together for around $100 promo deal. The quality is excellent and they can easily be exchanged/warrantied if ever a problem. Ratchets are good too.

 

[jrockford]

I've heard good things and find their history and name meaning interesting. Japanese products interest me too so perhaps I am biased..

Notice how the "where to buy" area has 1 empty slot.. I was going to post a link because I found some for sale very decently priced last Fall, but obvously they went out of business. I believe they were called Chrome something. They carried many Japanese brands.
http://www.kokenusa.com/retailers

 

[Ohmthis]

Take a look at proto, they are great tools and competitive to other us made companies. I use them (sockets, wrenches, and screwdrivers) at work and they are great. They can be bought online and if you have a grainger close to you, they will warranty anything. I will say, I haven't had to warranty anything. I have worn out a 13mm deep well in the last 8 years, but it get used on 95% of all the equipment I work on.

 

[gdocktor3]

Take a look at proto, they are great tools and competitive to other us made companies. I use them (sockets, wrenches, and screwdrivers) at work and they are great. They can be bought online and if you have a grainger close to you, they will warranty anything. I will say, I haven't had to warranty anything. I have worn out a 13mm deep well in the last 8 years, but it get used on 95% of all the equipment I work on.

Based on MY and other member's experiences, Grainger will not warranty anything unless it's purchased through them. In fact, when I inquired about warrantying a few items I had, a Stanley rep told me that the Grainger in my area would do it. I went there and they denied me. I then proceeded to show them the email from Stanley, but still was denied. I contacted Stanley again and they sent me a prepaid shipping label and was able to mail them in. Since that time, the Grainger in my area closed. Karma maybe?? I'm going with Karma...

 

[Fedwrench]

Franks tool is where I've bought my Koken tools. He offers great service.

Nepros is another high end option but, with them you're getting into more money than Snap on. The ratchets shown above with the ornate handles run around $498 each.

There are just soo many choices available today. I would probably put a set together out of used truck brands listed on Ebay

The SK 1/4 drive & 3/8 drive master socket sets in the green blow molded cases are hard to beat if you shop around. If you don't like their round head ratchets, grab a dual 80 from ebay.

Proto is making very nicely finished sockets and extensions these days. Great chrome, large deep size markings.
If you don't mind Taiwan made, Carlyle from NAPA, Gearwrench, or a limited selection of Toptul can be found at pretty good prices.

The Japanese Tools such as Koken, KTC, & Nepros are very well made from what I have purchased and they have some unique features but, I just don't know if I would make a whole set out of them. Good luck in your quest

 

[Dave455]

I doubt you will be disappointed with KoKen. Quality is very high and I usually say that you are getting 90% of Snap On quality at (here in the U.K.) about 40% of the cost. The tools are very consistent too, I doubt you wil have QC issues!

Personally, I like U.S. tools, so if I had SK, Wright, Armstrong and U.S. made Williams readily available I would consider them. If you've considered and rejected them, then go KoKen and enjoy!

It's worth going to their website and downloading their English language catalogue - there's a lot of stuff on offer!

I am surprised they don't have a U.S. distributor!

 

[BK13]

I've heard good things and find their history and name meaning interesting. Japanese products interest me too so perhaps I am biased..

Notice how the "where to buy" area has 1 empty slot.. I was going to post a link because I found some for sale very decently priced last Fall, but obvously they went out of business. I believe they were called Chrome something. They carried many Japanese brands.
http://www.kokenusa.com/retailers

Levelchrome, maybe?

 

[BK13]

Sorry guys but you can't compare SK and Wright to Koken.

Not trying to be argumentative, but with regards to Wright in particular, why not? Is it because of the Surface Drive or Nut Grip sockets? I'll be placing some orders with Frank in the near future, but I have absolutely complaints with any of my Wright stuff. Well, other than one of my Wright ratchets apparently walked off at the same time as a five gallon bucket of other tools...

 

[kblee27]

I just bought some Ko-ken sockets from Rakuten i-tools, but it took a couple of weeks for them to ship. Might be due to the holidays.
Rakuten Mutsuura charge more for shipping to my country.
Amazon Jp probably has the cheapest shipping charge, but their tools seemed to be slightly more expensive.

 

[Skin]

Nothing wrong with SK at all. I'd say 85% of the "problems" you'd find are tool polishers freaking out about something like a pin size divot, and of course ignorance about the "paint". I have quite a few brands, SK ranks right up there.

 

[67King]

The S-K brand was the only reasonably priced American manufacturer we could find, at about 1/2-1/4 of the cost of equivalent Snap-On stuff. But then we read they've been having a lot of quality issues lately, so we're shying away from them.

I would suggest you buy a set before jumping to conclusions. Buy from a place where returns are easy if you are not certain. Here's the deal, there are complaints here, but if you look at how many, and the folks who say that their stuff is bad/disappointing, the numbers just don't add up. I have about 300 of their sockets. Over 50 of their other tools b/t screwdrivers, extensions, wrenches. If the numbers reported are anywhere near accurate, there would be about a 99.99999999999% chance that I'd have seen a problem. But I don't. I honestly think that there is some astroturfing going on against them.

I buy Wright wrenches (the SK mentioned above are shorties). Great stuff, American, much less than the truck brands. Mayhew punches, etc. Some Williams stuff, as well. The only thing I buy that is not American is Knipex (German), and a little bit of Gearwrench (Taiwan). My ratchets, however, are used Snap-Ons (I think that was mentioned above).

I'd buy Koken in an instant, too, from what I've seen. Appears to be great stuff. But if you are after American, you CAN buy very good stuff made here that isn't tool truck expensive.

Buy lots of stuff from Tooltopia. Prefer to buy from Harry Epstein's, as well, when their prices are in line with others. Tools Delivered is good for the Williams stuff.

 

[dutchgray]

If you want Koken, go for it you won't be disappointed. But there are so many good tools out there and thanks to the internet you can get what ever you want.
I have SK socket sets both old and new and stubby wrenches and a few other things and am happy with all of it.
I have bought Koken from the UK sellers, Rakuten Matsura and I tools and Frankstools.

 

[American Locomotive]

Thanks for all the input guys. My buddy is pretty set on the Koken sockets at this point, but I'll try and get him to look at American wrenches and other tools.

 

[jrockford]

Levelchrome, maybe?

That sounds about right.

Now I see why they had such good prices.

 

[d4dawg]

Sounds like your friend is a DIYer who just wants some nice tools. In that case, the service from the "truck brands" is irrelevant. If he wants to spend the money, then Koken would be the top choice for some "nice stuff". Personally I like Koken's satin finish. I bought 2 sets of the "wobble plus" style extensions from Frank tools. Took a long time, perhaps a month or more to get to me (I got free shipping, so I really can't complain). I was throughly impressed with the fit and finish. I'm sure you can find some pics in the forum.

 

[mobiledynamics]

I'm not against buying something ~different~, but I would equate into your purchasing how would you handle warranty items, if needed --- if that matters..

 

[SantaAna12]

If you want Koken, then stick to your guns.

I used i-tools and Franks.

Frank stood by a bad listing on his site, despite my offer for him to let it go. I now give him first shot. He's a vet too.

BTW.... Koken Zeal 1/4 socket set will make you a believer.

Good luck!

 

[cbracer]

I triple the recommendation for "Rakuten Global from i-tools" and have used them a lot. I'll look at Franks to see what he has on sale, but buying from i-tools just makes too much sense!

 

[American Locomotive]

Has anyone had trouble reaching Frank's Tools? We sent him an e-mail asking if he could get certain tools not listed on his site. He replied saying if we send him a list, he can order it. We sent him a list, but that was 10 days ago, and he still hasn't replied.

We're trying very hard to give him money, but he doesn't seem to want it?

 

[M6erfan]

I know Frank moved recently (from Japan back to U.S.) so he might be a bit busy

 

[Qualitytools]

You will Love the Koken, I have a Zeal set and it's a work of art! Try Franks and Rakutan, I have purchased from both.

 

[Tenex]

I triple the recommendation for "Rakuten Global from i-tools" and have used them a lot. I'll look at Franks to see what he has on sale, but buying from i-tools just makes too much sense!

How has Rakuten Global been for shipping? I'm looking at a few KTC wrenches but I don't want to get raped on the shipping.

 

[BearDeXPS]

for the weekend warrior... nothing wrong with Craftsman sockets

it's the ratchet that matters

 

[M6erfan]

How has Rakuten Global been for shipping? I'm looking at a few KTC wrenches but I don't want to get raped on the shipping.

Depends Tenex. Which wrenches you looking at? Usually they go by weight

 

[dutchgray]

How has Rakuten Global been for shipping? I'm looking at a few KTC wrenches but I don't want to get raped on the shipping.

In my experience, shipping is expensive, with Rakuten Global, you order, the retailer works out the cost and then you confirm. I think you can cancel if its way too much but I have never done that. When you ship something half way round the world quickly its going to cost.