Tools of Japan
- Thread starter Frankstools
- Start date
I've used mine a few times in the short time I've had them, very happy with the purchase. I've had a chance to compare with the ones I've had at work for 15+ years, only ever used once in a blue moon but essential when required. I thought the work set were Taiwan but they're actually marked made in china. But they are - if I may describe it in such a way - decent quality china... not bad at all.
The IPS are a much nicer finished product though and the design is simply better, more depth of section in the direction that matters means less flex for a long lever. Fantastic jaw alignment. The 2 position jaw means you can reach things you can't with my other chinese (and also the Knipex equivalent) pliers.
Win.
Reed Prince
Well-known member
YeaWow, that's a surprisingly reasonable price for a direct Japanese import. I paid 1800 yen for mine at Amazon Japan, which works out to $16.85 at today's exchange rate. And Amazon Japan's listed retail "reference price" is 2754 yen ($24.78). Good deal!
well I just checked it again and the price just went back up to around $23 bucks now
still free shipping!
Amazon prices seem to sometimes temporarily spike after the purchase of an item.
On an unrelated note, I came across this while looking for something to pad an Amazon.co.jp order. I imagine it could be quite useful if threaded rod tightening is something you often do.
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Plenty: Stahlwille the best sockets IMHO, Hazet and Gedore are German made.
Nepros (KTC) the best out of Japan etc.
Im of the belief most of their forged tools are. Doesn't stop them from marking everything made in CZ though.
I don't know about that, I believe them when they say it's made in CZ...A lot of Wiha's stuff is in Asia, their bits for example also their ratchet(neither of which are bad by any means). Wiha pliers and bits are made in Vietnam, the ratchet is made in Taiwan. Some of Wiha's bit holders are made in Germany.
Going back to Wera, I believe their regular ratchets and wrenches are made in CZ...for now, I wouldn't be surprised with them going to Taiwan eventually.
Felo is really the only one of the German brands that make everything (as far as I know) in Germany. Obviously there are some rebrands(Pliers, wire strippers and disassembly tools) but I think all of those are even made in Germany.
I wish we'd get better distribution from Japan in the US, otherwise I wouldn't have the amount of European tools I do. I love the Japanese innovations, they're always coming up with ingenious tools...and the steel is top notch.
Witte drivers and bits are made in Germany.
http://witte-werkzeuge.de/1/screwdrivers/maxx/
http://witte-werkzeuge.de/1/bits/diamond-bits/
http://witte-werkzeuge.de/1/screwdrivers/maxx/
http://witte-werkzeuge.de/1/bits/diamond-bits/
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For small instrument nippers and needle nose pliers... Keiba or Engineer??
I see the Engineer products often have a spring return, which I like in an instrument plier/cutter. They also have that funky alien style, which may be a good or bad thing.
Keiba are obviously a bit more old-school, which I really respect. None of their small tools seem to have the gunmetal bearing, so that is not a point of difference. Both companies ranges are a little confusing, particularly Keiba, for example are their 'Pro-Hobby" range a downmarket version as suggested by the 'hobby' name? From what I can see in photos those tools seem to be the nicest?
What do folks think? Best steel, machining, fit, alignment, etc? Probably hard to go much wrong with either... but my impression is that Keiba is slightly higher quality?
I see the Engineer products often have a spring return, which I like in an instrument plier/cutter. They also have that funky alien style, which may be a good or bad thing.
Keiba are obviously a bit more old-school, which I really respect. None of their small tools seem to have the gunmetal bearing, so that is not a point of difference. Both companies ranges are a little confusing, particularly Keiba, for example are their 'Pro-Hobby" range a downmarket version as suggested by the 'hobby' name? From what I can see in photos those tools seem to be the nicest?
What do folks think? Best steel, machining, fit, alignment, etc? Probably hard to go much wrong with either... but my impression is that Keiba is slightly higher quality?
I own several pliers from both the Keiba "High-Grade" series and the "Pro-Hobby" series.
Even though the Pro-Hobby models don't have the bronze bearing of the High-Grade models, I don't think they are "downmarket" by any means. The Pro-Hobby handles are actually much nicer and incorporate a very well made spring return mechanism. The prices for the Pro-Hobby series are about the same as (or higher than) the prices for the High-Grade series.
I think the "hobby" just means that these are smaller and more delicate pliers intended for hobbyists who do precision work such as jewelry making or model building.
PS. I should mention that all three of my Pro-Hobby pliers have smooth jaws (no teeth, but kind of a matte nonslip surface finish). I haven't checked, but this may be true for the entire line.
PPS. The tips are as precisely machined and aligned as surgical instruments, and the joints are silky smooth and have absolutely zero play. As a further sign of quality, the resistance of the spring return is exactly the same on all three pliers.
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I've got the HG 150mm pliers. They are good and an interesting design.
For ultra precision pliers I'd spend a bit more and get something like Schmitz
http://www.schmitz-zangen.de/produkte_uebersicht.php?lang=engl
For ultra precision pliers I'd spend a bit more and get something like Schmitz
http://www.schmitz-zangen.de/produkte_uebersicht.php?lang=engl
Attachments
Dave455
Well-known member
Loads!
Snap On - all sockets and accessories are made in the U.S.A.
S.K. Tools
Wright
Proto
Stahlwille
Hazet
Gedore
Elora
Heyco
KoKen
KTC
and even King ****!
If you want to buy Taiwanese, fine, some of their tools are tremendous value (some not)!
But you shouldn’t buy ‘em because you think everything is Taiwanese anyway, that’s not the case!
And if all you have ever used is Taiwanese, you may get a pleasant surprise!
mmason7764
Well-known member
Agreed,
Please note that the opposite is also true. If you assume Taiwan and don't check you may end up with PRC. Current Craftsman is an example. IMHO the Taiwanese are way ahead of the mainland chinese in metallurgy.
A couple of brand names to add to the above list are Martin and Williams. These will be made by one of the companies listed above.
Mark
Reed Prince
Well-known member
I found this YouTube review of Engineer NP-05 micro nippers and PS-03 long nose pliers, and neither of them appear to me to be high-end, precision tools.
Like a number of us here, I have the Keiba FCC-306, and based on their quality I would buy other pliers from that company without hesitation.
As was previously suggested, European precision tools are also a good choice if the price is right. I love my Lindstrom needlenose and Erem cutters.
Thanks guys, I had another look at the various options and went with a couple of Keiba Pro Hobby like the ones shown by tanukiboy above.
All of the Keiba pliers with the bronze (or whatever) pivot bush were quite a bit larger than I was looking for, and I already have Knipex combination/long nose/side cutters covering that range.
What I got was some smaller ones, well I think so, as far as one can tell from online catalogs. We'll see when they arrive, my quite old Bahco small nippers are fairly blunt by now and squash as much as cut, and my small needle nose pliers (Xcelite USA) have had a hard life and the tips are a bit bent and not closing.
Given my recent enthusiasm for Japanese tools I thought I'd try out some Keiba as they seem so well regarded. The only bummer is that it makes most sense to buy a few things at a time to make the shipping worthwhile, and therefore;
a)If they do not meet your expectations you end up with numerous wrong tools
and
b)Buying so many at a time one will simply run out of things one needs before too long!
All of the Keiba pliers with the bronze (or whatever) pivot bush were quite a bit larger than I was looking for, and I already have Knipex combination/long nose/side cutters covering that range.
What I got was some smaller ones, well I think so, as far as one can tell from online catalogs. We'll see when they arrive, my quite old Bahco small nippers are fairly blunt by now and squash as much as cut, and my small needle nose pliers (Xcelite USA) have had a hard life and the tips are a bit bent and not closing.
Given my recent enthusiasm for Japanese tools I thought I'd try out some Keiba as they seem so well regarded. The only bummer is that it makes most sense to buy a few things at a time to make the shipping worthwhile, and therefore;
a)If they do not meet your expectations you end up with numerous wrong tools
and
b)Buying so many at a time one will simply run out of things one needs before too long!
PS:
Thanks for the pointer to the Schmitz pliers, they look very nice! I thought I would try the Keibas though. Schmitz have a great online shop and moderate shipping if you buy a few. Worth a try some time I suppose.
I have a set of Lindstrom 8141 at work and really like them, very nice pliers but once again quite expensive. Mine are also not made in Sweden but in Spain, not that I can complain one little bit about the quality - even after a year or two of use they are perfect.
What I like about this thread is it highlights that you can often get near-German quality for a lot less money when buying Japanese tools. Their metallurgy, quality and attention to detail is usually at a very high level for the cost of the products.
Thanks for the pointer to the Schmitz pliers, they look very nice! I thought I would try the Keibas though. Schmitz have a great online shop and moderate shipping if you buy a few. Worth a try some time I suppose.
I have a set of Lindstrom 8141 at work and really like them, very nice pliers but once again quite expensive. Mine are also not made in Sweden but in Spain, not that I can complain one little bit about the quality - even after a year or two of use they are perfect.
What I like about this thread is it highlights that you can often get near-German quality for a lot less money when buying Japanese tools. Their metallurgy, quality and attention to detail is usually at a very high level for the cost of the products.
mmason7764
Well-known member
b)Buying so many at a time one will simply run out of things one needs before too long!
Outdated,
As long as you keep hanging out here you needn't loose any more sleep worrying about point B. I keep finding out about things that I never knew existed!
If you are ordering from Rakuten you could add some Vessel Megadora screwdrivers or Koken socketry, depending on the vendor.
Mark
Hi Maico,
What do you find better in Stahlwille over HAzet?
I have both and I think Stahlwille is better for clearance due to being thinner however I like Hazet better for the knurling and the fitment on accessories, etc.
Tolerance I believe are both the same, depending what are you doing really.
Just do not abuse them as we did on a Stahlwille 3/8 19mm socket. We added an extension to undo wheel bolts that were stuck by idiots with monster impact gun at a garage!
It is a ductile fracture though
(socket replaced by dealer nevertheless)View media item 59756
superautobacs
Well-known member
Losvre,
Can you tell me what tools you were using for that to happen?
I don't do much fine work that requires precision cutters, but I would gravitate towards Keiba and 3.Peaks.
But there are a few other plier makers to chose from besides the usual three: Keiba, Engineer, and 3.Peaks.
These companies offer precision cutters, and in no particular order:
Fujiya http://www.fujiya-kk.com/ja/products/
Merry http://www.muromoto.co.jp/index.html
Tsunoda http://www.tsunoda-japan.com/index.html
King/TTC http://www.tsunoda-japan.com/brand_kingttc.html
Victor http://www.hanazonotool.co.jp/index.htm
Can you tell me what tools you were using for that to happen?
I don't do much fine work that requires precision cutters, but I would gravitate towards Keiba and 3.Peaks.
But there are a few other plier makers to chose from besides the usual three: Keiba, Engineer, and 3.Peaks.
These companies offer precision cutters, and in no particular order:
Fujiya http://www.fujiya-kk.com/ja/products/
Merry http://www.muromoto.co.jp/index.html
Tsunoda http://www.tsunoda-japan.com/index.html
King/TTC http://www.tsunoda-japan.com/brand_kingttc.html
Victor http://www.hanazonotool.co.jp/index.htm
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superautobacs
Well-known member
To add to the list of companies that still forge some or all of their socketry/wrench items (in Japan):
Mitoloy http://www.mitotool.com/corpolate_world.html
Tone http://www.tonetool.co.jp/
Sunkey (Sanki) http://www.handtool.or.jp/hand-e/company/sunkey/products.html
Suekage (SEK) http://www.suekage.co.jp/
Netsuren http://www.neturen.co.jp/product/index.html
Lobtex http://www.lobtex.co.jp/Default.aspx
KTC http://ktc.jp/
Kowa Seiki http://www.kowa-seiki.co.jp/
Ko-ken http://www.koken-tool.co.jp/
KDR http://www.kdrgroup.jp/#
KBS http://www.kobayashi-tools.com/
ABC http://www.handtool.or.jp/company/abc.html
HIT http://www.hittools.co.jp/main.html
FPC http://www.flash-tool.co.jp/index.html
Asahi http://www.asahi-tool.co.jp/
Mitoloy http://www.mitotool.com/corpolate_world.html
Tone http://www.tonetool.co.jp/
Sunkey (Sanki) http://www.handtool.or.jp/hand-e/company/sunkey/products.html
Suekage (SEK) http://www.suekage.co.jp/
Netsuren http://www.neturen.co.jp/product/index.html
Lobtex http://www.lobtex.co.jp/Default.aspx
KTC http://ktc.jp/
Kowa Seiki http://www.kowa-seiki.co.jp/
Ko-ken http://www.koken-tool.co.jp/
KDR http://www.kdrgroup.jp/#
KBS http://www.kobayashi-tools.com/
ABC http://www.handtool.or.jp/company/abc.html
HIT http://www.hittools.co.jp/main.html
FPC http://www.flash-tool.co.jp/index.html
Asahi http://www.asahi-tool.co.jp/
Amoung my favorites is the Vaughan Bear Saw. It's a Japanese pull saw sharper than your ex mother in laws tongue. You can shave off a uniform 1/32" off dimensional lumber, cut flush. Pulling a blade has infinitely more control than pushing one. Nearly as fast as a circular saw, tiny little kerf, effortless.
Jim
Jim
superautobacs
Well-known member
Yes!
Thanks for asking though.
Thanks for asking though.
Reed Prince
Well-known member
Yesterday I was able to buy the Keiba HEC-D05 pliers for a really nice price, but could not find a similar deal for their bent-nose complement, the HEC-D15.
Just did a quick search that showed prices between $16-21 (at today's $0.95 = ￥100). Perhaps we can work something out.
Think you could bring me back a beautiful Japanese lady about 35? LOL
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
superautobacs
Well-known member
Speaking of precision type pliers from Keiba...
Back in 2013, I bought a two pairs from their "long-reach" series:
the LHE-D76B
and the LHL-D76
Both of these are no longer available on Keiba's website, so whatever is left from this series would be NOS.
I can't really compare them to other brands, and I don't use them frequently enough to judge its durability, but in my eyes they are finished very well and have served me very well for those few times I needed them for automotive work.
Thought you guys might have got a laugh out of that one!
I was buying on Amazon.jp, the shipping price is quite cheap on there and I tried a few more items and a few less and it was always AU$19-22 shipping. I got a set of 7 megadoras last year from Rhinotools in AU, they are VERY nice... nicer than the Felo set I reckon. From Amazon I ended up with 7 items all around au$25ea delivered.
Looking at the Schmitz site, directly ordering 7 items (similar to the 4x Keiba I just ordered and 3 more to pad it out to the same average), the average was just under au$40ea. Considering the apparent extreme nice quality I reckon that is not a bad price at all, but the Keibas are still nearly 40% cheaper and I think will do me just fine.
Since there's been a lot of discussion about the Keiba Pro-Hobby pliers here recently, I thought you might like to see some pictures showing their size and also some close-up pictures of the tips showing their fit and alignment.
First, the size:
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And the tips, slightly open and fully closed:
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First, the size:
View media item 81294
View media item 81296
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And the tips, slightly open and fully closed:
View media item 81302
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Amoung my favorites is the Vaughan Bear Saw. It's a Japanese pull saw sharper than your ex mother in laws tongue. You can shave off a uniform 1/32" off dimensional lumber, cut flush. Pulling a blade has infinitely more control than pushing one. Nearly as fast as a circular saw, tiny little kerf, effortless.
Jim
Yup. Those are good ones. Of the few that I tried (without getting pricey ) the Vaughan worked the best. I really like them. I tried a similar competing brand (can't remember which) and it was terrible. There is a longer more aggressive, and a shorter finer tooth than the one you picture. All use the same handle.
Anyone looking for reasonably priced pull saws that cut very well should have a go with these.
Seth
Got introduced to the Vaughan saws by timberframers. When your safety harnessed in two stories up and that 8x12 tenon just doesn't quite fit. This saw, weighing nothing turns a problem into a piece of custom joinery.
Jim
Jim
Thanks, look forward to receiving mine.
The fit, finish and alignment look fantastic.
Yes!
Thanks for asking though.
I have been advised where to buy a (potentially) real sword... however the "good ones" apparently eclipse my trip budget by a few thousand dollars. Woops.
If I see them I will pick up a pair. Maybe 1 for me as well
I am 25 so it is possible. Customs may find an issue though.
Comparison of Vessel locking multibit driver sets: TX-10 vs. TD-6310HX
Man, how many products do these guys make???
I previously posted in this thread about the Vessel TX-10 locking bit driver handle + 10 bit set. It really impressed me because the locking chuck prevents the bit from coming off unless you pull back on the collar, causing small metal fingers inside the chuck to release the bit. The bits provided with TX-10 are "plus" and "minus" screwdriver bits and torx bits.
View media item 81089
View media item 81329
However, after that, I noticed that Vessel also makes the TD-6310HX locking bit driver handle + 10 bit set, which is about the same price. It uses a totally different locking chuck mechanism to hold the bit. Pulling the chuck forward releases pressure on a small steel ball inside the chuck, allowing the bit to be removed. The bits provided with TD-6310HX are "plus" and "minus" screwdriver bits and hex bits.
View media item 81328
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Although the TX-10 was definitely a big improvement over my other (magnet only) multibit driver handles and ratcheting screwdrivers, the TD-6310HX takes it to the next level. When you lock the bit into the chuck, there is absolutely no play. It feels like the tip is one continuous piece of metal with the shaft, just like a "real" screwdriver. Operation of the collar is also more positive and intuitive. The TD-6310HX has replaced the TX-10 in my toolbox. Love it!
Man, how many products do these guys make???
I previously posted in this thread about the Vessel TX-10 locking bit driver handle + 10 bit set. It really impressed me because the locking chuck prevents the bit from coming off unless you pull back on the collar, causing small metal fingers inside the chuck to release the bit. The bits provided with TX-10 are "plus" and "minus" screwdriver bits and torx bits.
View media item 81089
View media item 81329
However, after that, I noticed that Vessel also makes the TD-6310HX locking bit driver handle + 10 bit set, which is about the same price. It uses a totally different locking chuck mechanism to hold the bit. Pulling the chuck forward releases pressure on a small steel ball inside the chuck, allowing the bit to be removed. The bits provided with TD-6310HX are "plus" and "minus" screwdriver bits and hex bits.
View media item 81328
View media item 81330
Although the TX-10 was definitely a big improvement over my other (magnet only) multibit driver handles and ratcheting screwdrivers, the TD-6310HX takes it to the next level. When you lock the bit into the chuck, there is absolutely no play. It feels like the tip is one continuous piece of metal with the shaft, just like a "real" screwdriver. Operation of the collar is also more positive and intuitive. The TD-6310HX has replaced the TX-10 in my toolbox. Love it!
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Hi Superautobacs,
The socket was used on my friend's volvo to undo the wheel bolts that were tighten by a garage!
Added an extension 30-40cm and my friend of 100kg! stepped on it;
Obviously I should have not used a 3/8 on a 12.9 grade bolts that was tightened like this.
I would not hesitate to recommend the Stahwille to anyone however averyone needs to know the benefits and limitation of each tool they are using.
We finally did it with a 1/2 impact socket.
superautobacs
Well-known member
A photo op occasion:
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/ccassan/38806147330/in/dateposted-public/" title="Upholstery"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4756/38806147330_a719f302cf_b.jpg" width="768" height="1024" alt="Upholstery"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
... for doing some leather upholstery work:
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/ccassan/39905389324/in/dateposted-public/" title="Upholstery."><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4673/39905389324_4d4066d38b_b.jpg" width="768" height="1024" alt="Upholstery."></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
a generic, bent-head hog-ring pliers (which I've since replaced with a Knipex one):
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/ccassan/39905391754/in/dateposted-public/" title="Upholstery, Generic Hog-ring Pliers"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4762/39905391754_05b1975818_b.jpg" width="768" height="1024" alt="Upholstery, Generic Hog-ring Pliers"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Tools in action photo for this unique Vessel trim clip remover:
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/ccassan/29690433825/in/photolist-SdExkw-TgnedW-MeDehK-MeDeFk-LhpTgr-LhpTec-MeDezt-MeDeBx-GVw9eY-Gqo5tV-GVw9gG-Gqo5o4-6BGDVt-5ZcEzJ-5ZcArw-5ZcCgL-5Wf9JM-5Wfa5a" title="Anex, Vessel - Door Harness Removal"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8661/29690433825_30b15b2248_b.jpg" width="1024" height="576" alt="Anex, Vessel - Door Harness Removal"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/ccassan/29065421633/in/photolist-SdExkw-TgnedW-MeDehK-MeDeFk-LhpTgr-LhpTec-MeDezt-MeDeBx-GVw9eY-Gqo5tV-GVw9gG-Gqo5o4-6BGDVt-5ZcEzJ-5ZcArw-5ZcCgL-5Wf9JM-5Wfa5a/" title="Anex, Vessel - Door Harness Removal."><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8555/29065421633_0db352d8b1_b.jpg" width="576" height="1024" alt="Anex, Vessel - Door Harness Removal."></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/ccassan/29690433945/in/photolist-SdExkw-TgnedW-MeDehK-MeDeFk-LhpTgr-LhpTec-MeDezt-MeDeBx-GVw9eY-Gqo5tV-GVw9gG-Gqo5o4-6BGDVt-5ZcEzJ-5ZcArw-5ZcCgL-5Wf9JM-5Wfa5a/" title="Anex, Vessel - Door Harness Removal.."><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8485/29690433945_30b5be0571_b.jpg" width="576" height="1024" alt="Anex, Vessel - Door Harness Removal.."></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/ccassan/39905393204/in/dateposted-public/" title="Anex, Vessel - Door Harness Removal......"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4702/39905393204_e6e8e6caa7_b.jpg" width="768" height="1024" alt="Anex, Vessel - Door Harness Removal......"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>