Reed Prince
Well-known member
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Tools of Japan
- Thread starter Frankstools
- Start date
Andres26tnt
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 11, 2018
- Messages
- 994
No idea, I just know that SO intentionally made the tip a universal fit. I can attest that they do bite into JIS screws.
It's really hard to find information about SK11 tools. The ones I have were made in Taiwan, but I believe they are distributed in Japan by the same company that makes Tone brand tools. Maybe one of those "domestic line" / "imported line" relationships?
Andres26tnt
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 11, 2018
- Messages
- 994
yeah all the info I found was conflicting.
superautobacs
Well-known member
Fujiwara Sangyo was founded over 120 years ago in Japan. SK11 is just one of their house brands.
The SK11 tool lineup is round up by imports (European, American, Chinese, Taiwanese), Japanese domestic rebrands and non-rebranded Japanese tools. It's a mixed bag of stuff.
The SK11 tool lineup is round up by imports (European, American, Chinese, Taiwanese), Japanese domestic rebrands and non-rebranded Japanese tools. It's a mixed bag of stuff.
Strouty
Well-known member
Some Vessel goodness!
So I got some interesting stuff from Amazon.jp before they turn on the geoblocking and the govt. tax us 10% on imports of any value. This was the Vessel pile; an ultra-long flatblade, clip remover, chisel driver (no idea what I'll use that for but seemed like something I should have!
, a couple of ball type and some woodies.
I really like Vessel screwdrivers, fantastic grip, good steel and still priced very reasonably.
View media item 83903
I already had a basic Megadora kit, and wanted to try out the 'woodies', so I got some 150mm long and ultra stubbies. My 900 Megadoras in these sizes are 100mm long, so it gives a slightly different tool to what I already have.
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These stubbies are significantly shorter than other ones I have too, really compact.
View media item 83905
Also wanted to try out the ball grip style that seems popular in Japan, these were available in 200mm shaft length so once again that does not strictly replicate one of my existing drivers. So I now have megadoras in standard length (100mm for the +2 and -6 size), woodies in 150mm for the same, and ball grip in 200mm.
GJ alert! I noticed the ball grip ones are actually made in Thailand though! Can't really fault the quality, and they were dirt cheap, but I hope they do not offshore all their production. All other Vessels were marked Made in Japan.
View media item 83906
I also got a 400mm long -6 flat blade. Check out the difference in the handle between it and a previously purchased megadora. The black is quite washed out in colour and does not have the textured finish. Counterfeit, or just how they make the longer series ones? I like the knurled spinner half way along the shank.
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Vessel clip remover beside my previous Toledo one bought locally.
View media item 83909
Big difference in the tip end, the Vessel should be able to engage the clip a lot easier due to the much finer wedge shape.
View media item 83908
So I got some interesting stuff from Amazon.jp before they turn on the geoblocking and the govt. tax us 10% on imports of any value. This was the Vessel pile; an ultra-long flatblade, clip remover, chisel driver (no idea what I'll use that for but seemed like something I should have!
, a couple of ball type and some woodies.I really like Vessel screwdrivers, fantastic grip, good steel and still priced very reasonably.
View media item 83903
I already had a basic Megadora kit, and wanted to try out the 'woodies', so I got some 150mm long and ultra stubbies. My 900 Megadoras in these sizes are 100mm long, so it gives a slightly different tool to what I already have.
View media item 83904
These stubbies are significantly shorter than other ones I have too, really compact.
View media item 83905
Also wanted to try out the ball grip style that seems popular in Japan, these were available in 200mm shaft length so once again that does not strictly replicate one of my existing drivers. So I now have megadoras in standard length (100mm for the +2 and -6 size), woodies in 150mm for the same, and ball grip in 200mm.
GJ alert! I noticed the ball grip ones are actually made in Thailand though! Can't really fault the quality, and they were dirt cheap, but I hope they do not offshore all their production. All other Vessels were marked Made in Japan.
View media item 83906
I also got a 400mm long -6 flat blade. Check out the difference in the handle between it and a previously purchased megadora. The black is quite washed out in colour and does not have the textured finish. Counterfeit, or just how they make the longer series ones? I like the knurled spinner half way along the shank.
View media item 83907
Vessel clip remover beside my previous Toledo one bought locally.
View media item 83909
Big difference in the tip end, the Vessel should be able to engage the clip a lot easier due to the much finer wedge shape.
View media item 83908
Oil Change Assistance
I previously used a strap wrench on my 2.0TFSI Audi motor, and a huge long 36mm double ring (an old VBW German one from I don't recall where) for the BMW M54. Both are much more easily accessed from above by a socket and extension bar.
Why buy a crappy pressed bit of junk from China, when you can have a nice die cast (?) one from Japan for the same money?
View media item 83910
For the COO fanatics (yes I am one now):
View media item 83911
A very nicely finished product, it fits perfectly on the filter:
View media item 83912
I did consider getting the neat little stubby oil-filter specialist 36mm x 3/8" drive socket as shown by Chris, but given I don't have a 'normal' 36mm and this was less than 1/2 the price, I figured it was OK for my once or twice a year oil change.
Once again, this ended up costing my about au$24, a chinese shop-brand 36mm 1/2 drive 12-pt socket is au$23 from Totaltools. I'll have the Koken thanks!
View media item 83913
Typical beautiful Koken quality:
View media item 83914
I previously used a strap wrench on my 2.0TFSI Audi motor, and a huge long 36mm double ring (an old VBW German one from I don't recall where) for the BMW M54. Both are much more easily accessed from above by a socket and extension bar.
Why buy a crappy pressed bit of junk from China, when you can have a nice die cast (?) one from Japan for the same money?
View media item 83910
For the COO fanatics (yes I am one now):
View media item 83911
A very nicely finished product, it fits perfectly on the filter:
View media item 83912
I did consider getting the neat little stubby oil-filter specialist 36mm x 3/8" drive socket as shown by Chris, but given I don't have a 'normal' 36mm and this was less than 1/2 the price, I figured it was OK for my once or twice a year oil change.
Once again, this ended up costing my about au$24, a chinese shop-brand 36mm 1/2 drive 12-pt socket is au$23 from Totaltools. I'll have the Koken thanks!
View media item 83913
Typical beautiful Koken quality:
View media item 83914
I have a 'specialty' lo pro oil housing socket for our M54 and truth be told, there is no need for it on that engine. Plenty of room up top for a regular socket, as a matter of fact I usually use a 6" extension with the lo pro socket to get more ratchet clearance above the engine.
And yes, the Ko-kens are really nice sockets!
Jeff
Well-known member
The Vessel ball grips are the go-to drivers on my shop bench. Excellent quality.
Right you are, the hex is quite sunken down in that position and there's little room to swing a spanner but heaps if you just go vertically up. The standard socket was cheaper and more versatile for other 'normal' applications so that was a win.
Other bits:
Some other bits that caught my eye as I was filling the bottomless shopping cart...
View media item 83915
Spring puller from KTC, I have an unbranded one which sort of works, but is like a screwdriver in design so it's hard to pull a decent strength spring. This little KTC t-bar should do the trick for exhaust joint springs on motorcycles, and assorted other springs I've struggled with using the other tool.
It's a shiny black oxide finish, nothing elaborate but quite nice:
View media item 83916
Also got these from Anex, nice quality once again. The end of the hose pick is really nicely radiused and the scraper might come in handy. Both quite cheap.
View media item 83917
And a set of the Merry connector pliers I saw earlier in this thread. I've struggled with connectors before, so this should be good when the time comes:
View media item 83918
They're quite workman-like in finish, but have a nice action and come well recommended by those who use them far more than I will:
View media item 83919
Tips are quite grippy, and there's plenty of flex in the arms... not normally something you want in pliers but in this case perfect.
View media item 83920
Some other bits that caught my eye as I was filling the bottomless shopping cart...
View media item 83915
Spring puller from KTC, I have an unbranded one which sort of works, but is like a screwdriver in design so it's hard to pull a decent strength spring. This little KTC t-bar should do the trick for exhaust joint springs on motorcycles, and assorted other springs I've struggled with using the other tool.
It's a shiny black oxide finish, nothing elaborate but quite nice:
View media item 83916
Also got these from Anex, nice quality once again. The end of the hose pick is really nicely radiused and the scraper might come in handy. Both quite cheap.
View media item 83917
And a set of the Merry connector pliers I saw earlier in this thread. I've struggled with connectors before, so this should be good when the time comes:
View media item 83918
They're quite workman-like in finish, but have a nice action and come well recommended by those who use them far more than I will:
View media item 83919
Tips are quite grippy, and there's plenty of flex in the arms... not normally something you want in pliers but in this case perfect.
View media item 83920
1foxracing
Well-known member
I realize you're in Australia but for anyone in the USA looking for this tool Harbor Freight sells this exact tool for $3.00 sold as a brake spring tool. I think I have about 4 of them and I use them for motorcycle exhaust springs as well.
That's a great deal, I paid 1010yen, about au$12 plus some freight in a large order, say au$13-14, presently about us$10.
The finish in real life is better than in the official photos, where it looks like it's been salvaged from the Titanic!
This tool is sold as part of their brake servicing range, where there are a number of other items useful for more than just brakes:
https://ktc.j-server.com/LUCKTC/ns/...DE=0&XPARAM=q,&XCHARSET=utf-8&XPORG=,&XJSID=0
Harbor Freight sell the Kyoto Tool Company AB-7 brake spring puller for $3 ?!
Damn, how does that happen? they're 1290 yen here in Nagoya.
hautpot
Well-known member
i cant wait to get my merry pliers
1foxracing
Well-known member
Koken Fail!
I got the last split shipment of my recent amazon splurge today. Koken hex driver t-bars in 4-5-6mm and a 3/8" drive T-bar (spinner type), plus a Hozan inspection mirror as shown off by superautobacs.
The hex drive t-bars are very spindly, not really what I expected. Not enough inertia to really spin anything in, nor enough strength to loosen or tighten anything significant. Nice, but for light duty only, which is OK but a bit unexpected.
Worst though is the lovely 3/8" t-spinner is faulty, the cross bar is not at 90 degrees to the shaft! I really did not expect that from Koken. It's still perfectly useable but certainly not what it should be. I'll have to see what the story is with rectification from Amazon.... ?? Anyone had any experience with that?
I got the last split shipment of my recent amazon splurge today. Koken hex driver t-bars in 4-5-6mm and a 3/8" drive T-bar (spinner type), plus a Hozan inspection mirror as shown off by superautobacs.
The hex drive t-bars are very spindly, not really what I expected. Not enough inertia to really spin anything in, nor enough strength to loosen or tighten anything significant. Nice, but for light duty only, which is OK but a bit unexpected.
Worst though is the lovely 3/8" t-spinner is faulty, the cross bar is not at 90 degrees to the shaft! I really did not expect that from Koken. It's still perfectly useable but certainly not what it should be. I'll have to see what the story is with rectification from Amazon.... ?? Anyone had any experience with that?
ed007
Member
iv had little luck using japanese tools metal seems weak and cheap for my experience
MayerMR
Well-known member
It seems like you may be confusing Chinese for Japanese? The Japanese are well-known for their quality steel.
sweet victory
Well-known member
Really? I always associated Japanese steel to be inferior to European steel, and that's why they adopted their unique folding technique to produce Katanas. Obviously ratchets and katanas are little different, and a lot can change in a 1000 years, but my mind still makes that association for whatever reason. Maybe I am just ignorant.
sweet victory
Well-known member
That is the nicest thing anyone on this forum has said about a crusty looking-non usa made tool.
I really would like a pair myself for obvious reasons.
Really? I always associated Japanese steel to be inferior to European steel, and that's why they adopted their unique folding technique to produce Katanas. Obviously ratchets and katanas are little different, and a lot can change in a 1000 years, but my mind still makes that association for whatever reason. Maybe I am just ignorant.
LOL!
Indeed, things have changed in the last 1,000 years. Some of the best tools I own come from Japan. Full disclosure though, I bought them within the last century...
MayerMR
Well-known member
Really? I always associated Japanese steel to be inferior to European steel, and that's why they adopted their unique folding technique to produce Katanas. Obviously ratchets and katanas are little different, and a lot can change in a 1000 years, but my mind still makes that association for whatever reason. Maybe I am just ignorant.
Well, I think you are right with regards to the reason that the folded steel, etc. several hundreds of years ago. I'm not metallurgist, but I vaguely remember reading that they discovered that almost by accident and it had the happy consequence of basically hardening the steel. They didn't know about removing the carbon and all the techniques that we know today, as far as I know.
That said, I believe their reputation for producing quality steel was due to their use of modern methods, which I can only assume was gleaned from the west in some manner or another.
The Chinese, on the other hand, still produce a lot of crappy grade stuff today. Though to be fair, a lot of the things they are producing these days are of higher quality. I've been real surprised by the Pittsburgh Pro line of tools from Harbor Freight recently. I actually reach for them more often than my Plomb/other ratchets. They've only recently been banished to 2nd place in my favorability due to the recent purchase of the delightful Tekton ratchet...which is Taiwanese-sourced, I believe.
Reed Prince
Well-known member
I'm a bit more cautious and tend to avoid things manufactured during the post-WWII US occupation of Japan.
MayerMR
Well-known member
I'm a bit more cautious and tend to avoid things manufactured during the post-WWII US occupation of Japan.
Haha, Reed, you should really rethink that. After WWII Japan really industrialized with modern machinery. That's why all of their products were so well made with tight tolerances. I restore vintage Japanese and Italian motorcycles. Take apart any post-war Japanese motorcycle engine and it's nice and well-made to tolerance. Take apart Italian engines and SHIMS! SHIMS EVERYWHERE!
I'm a bit more cautious and tend to avoid things manufactured during the post-WWII US occupation of Japan.
Why? The U.S re-factoried & re-tooled them with the latest technology of the time. Then it wasn't long before they were teaching the world a thing or two about producing quality products...
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anndel
Well-known member
Post WWII the Japanese reversed engineered most of the US made stuff and did it very well.
There are only two countries in the globe that can press the highest grades of steel & they are Japan & Germany. Its been like that for some time although how that translates or effects hands tools is a different issue. But knives of the best nature will be made either in Japan or Germany. The machinery to produce such steel costs many many millions, not sure why the US ain't in the game at that level but that's how it is.
Reed Prince
Well-known member
My comment wasn't meant to be taken too seriously, hence the emoji I put at the end, but industrial production was down to about a quarter of pre-war levels when the occupation began, and manufacturers were resorting to reusing American GI's food cans as raw materials. The "Japanese economic miracle" didn't really happen until the early 1950s.
Jaysreal
Well-known member
Honestly do you have 1st/2nd hand knowledge of this? Charts and or figures comparing the top quality steel from producers such as U.S. Steel, Nucor, AK Steel, Steel Dynamics, ArcelorMittal and Kobe Steel will do. or is this just an opinion?
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
I believe Sweden is in that mix as well
Don't feed the trolls folks...
Anyhow, here's the photos of my slight manufacturing fault Koken. It is enough to be quite visible, ie I noticed it straight away. It's not intended to be not quite 90 degrees for some reason I can't fathom is it?
View media item 83964
View media item 83963
Finish and operation is otherwise lovely, but that 88 degree cross bar messes up my OCD something chronic.
Anyhow, here's the photos of my slight manufacturing fault Koken. It is enough to be quite visible, ie I noticed it straight away. It's not intended to be not quite 90 degrees for some reason I can't fathom is it?
View media item 83964
View media item 83963
Finish and operation is otherwise lovely, but that 88 degree cross bar messes up my OCD something chronic.
Negen
Well-known member
Nucor had to get a license from the Japanese to do a joint venture in steel production of Japanese style steel for construction beems. Nucor-Yamato is the name stamped on the steel beem which is about the best you can buy in USA. But as for tool grade steels American companies probably substitute quality for profits. Wilde is the only tool company I see in USA that has pride in what they make. Koken sockets make me feel a bit spoiled in that it is rare to see something in any price range that is as good or better. I have not had a chance to see wright sockets in person but proto or snap on are the only that I have seen that can hold a candle to koken or ktc. Even my sears wrench from Japan seems to hold up over the years. America did produce good things at OK prices before the knurled sk seem to be the best I have seen ever. But the days are long gone so kids be nice to grandad and raid the garage before grandma has a garage sale.
As for the guy with the off koken speeder contact all you can to try to warranty or return exchange. Something should be able to get done if they make you pay shipping pm me I will get you a shipping label.
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