Tools of Japan
- Thread starter Frankstools
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JDSV
Well-known member
The Astro store in Nagoya also sells PB Swiss, which is nice. Since I swing by Japan at least once a year I sometimes stop by Astro, but like gbh, Hodaka is my go to store. The Nagoya store carries almost everything from KTC and TONE. Another tool reseller similar to Astro, Straight Tools, sells Koken.
I found this display at Handman, but picked up some KTC, Tsunoda, and Lobster instead
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Me and a friend were discussing the second-hand market in Japan recently. Based on our experiences with the people and culture, they dont really like second-hand items and prefer to buy new, yet there are retailers that carry only second-hand items. Have you found in your experience that there are good opportunities for second-hand tools in Japan at good prices? This is definitely the case with car parts, especially aftermarket (I'm much more of a car person than tool person)?
I found this display at Handman, but picked up some KTC, Tsunoda, and Lobster instead
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Those are some funky looking wrenches. I can't find a thing when I Google "Steeplejack Spider tools". Any more details?
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Reed Prince
Well-known member
When I started searching, the first thing I found was this, on eBay.
So next I looked for SK11 Spider, and it seems Amazon Japan sells a number of items. https://www.amazon.co.jp/SK11SPIDERシリーズ工具_アクセサリ特集/b?ie=UTF8&node=3907644051
And it looks like the parent company is Fujiwara Sangyo Co., Ltd.
http://www.fujiwarasangyo.co.jp/spider/
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Yes, I think you're right, Japanese do usually tend to buy new.
Second hand stores here tend to be overpriced. It's not surprising to see uesd items at prices close to new cost at the second hand stores around here. For secondhand items of any kind the best place is Yahoo auctions Japan, I've picked up some bargains there.
For car parts, you're absolutely right. I clipped and damaged a fender and headlight years ago. My wife received a quote of 200,000 yen to repair. Almost no one here does any kind of repair work because they don't have room or facilities. I bought the parts on Yahoo for 10,000 delivered and spent two hours in my car space changing parts, neighbours thought I was an alien
The Fukuoka Factory Gear is in the mall. Only way I could get my wife to go
Here’s my haul.
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Here’s my haul.
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She gave me....30 minutes. I needed at leeeeeast an hour. Oh well. Astro products later today.
I’m kicking myself for not picking up the Koken 1/4”. I doubt it would get much use but it was cute and came in a set for like ~$100.
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Qualitytools
Well-known member
Yes me too! It would be so bad for my wallet but I would Love to see a place like that
This is “Straight Tool Company” in Kumamoto.
Flag. This seems to be their second most prevalent brand in the store outside of “straight tools” branded stuff.
This is the Ko-Ken section.
These seem to be rebranded Sun Flag drivers.
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Flag. This seems to be their second most prevalent brand in the store outside of “straight tools” branded stuff.
This is the Ko-Ken section.
These seem to be rebranded Sun Flag drivers.
Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app
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Funny coincidence, bakemono, I just got some nice Straight stuff from Amazon Japan yesterday. Not tools, but cool toolbox accessories.
First, cut-to-length wrench stands. Really well designed IMO. These hold wrenches securely (I tested with up to a 21 mm KTC combination wrench), but the teeth are spaced close enough to fit a lot of wrenches in a small drawer (17 wrenches in a drawer only 30 cm deep). Cut them to any length you want, peel off the protective sheet from the self-adhesive bottom, and stick them onto any flat surface. Really cheap too, at only ¥432 for a 600-mm pair.
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Next, a pliers stand. This is also really handy for small toolboxes. Another clever design IMO (although I personally think it works better the opposite way than shown in the photo). Nice solid plastic-coated steel. Cost less than ¥1500.
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Cool stuff. According to their website, this series is designed for moving around construction sites quickly and easily "like a spider". The tools all seem to be lightweight and have holes for attaching safety lines. The series also includes lots of harnesses, tool pouches, and safety gear.
A while back in this thread Superautobacs mentioned that Koken made ratchets for Wiha. A 1/4" drive ratchet with Koken low-drag internals and a good German screwdriver handle is exactly what I'm looking for. Does anybody know the model of this ratchet, or who stocks it?
sevt_chevelle
Well-known member
Any Japanese tools geared towards collision repair, trying to find some without any luck?
superautobacs
Well-known member
Was it in this thread? I can't remember. I do know I mentioned it in this thread I started: https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=212739
I look and looked for photos on google.images but couldn't find it, but I knew I had seen it somewhere! Searching for the proof, I looked through my digital catalogues. I didn't see it in Wiha's 2006 catalogue, but there it was in their 2008 catalogue. Good luck finding them!
These are screenshots from their pdf:
- Supplies Wiha with ¼” drive socketry (impact rated) as well as some non-impact items (Ko-ken ratchets with Wiha Soft Finish handles, sliding T-handle, universal joint, and a bit holder for ¼” bits).
I look and looked for photos on google.images but couldn't find it, but I knew I had seen it somewhere! Searching for the proof, I looked through my digital catalogues. I didn't see it in Wiha's 2006 catalogue, but there it was in their 2008 catalogue. Good luck finding them!
These are screenshots from their pdf:
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superautobacs
Well-known member
Thanks for the photos Tanukiboy and Bakemono!
JDSV
Well-known member
I'll be honest, I never really looked for second-hand tools in Japan. I plan on heading back in November so I'll have to see what I can find in the Nagoya area. But for me, quality of the Japanese tools are very good, and the prices are very appealing. I try to buy tools when I go to Japan every time (I always leave room in my suitcase for tool procurement
) I'll try to remember to come back to this post after I return to see what the second-hand tool market looks like.
Reed Prince
Well-known member
As was mentioned in a previous reply, Yahoo! Auctions, Japan's alternative to eBay, has many second hand tools and parts.
Bidding on things and getting them shipped overseas can get a bit complicated, and there are services that will help you with this for a price. I am staff at a music forum where people buy from Yahoo often and discuss the pros and cons of various methods, so I could probably get you answers to any auction questions you might have.
Here is a chart that gives you an idea of what to expect.
Might have been in another thread...at least I got the author right!
Thanks for the model numbers. Looks like it's no longer in their catalog, but a few German shops still list it.
Here is a chart that gives you an idea of what to expect.
I did a job in the shed this evening and found for the first time I needed a 34mm socket - I have a few in 32mm and recently bought myself a Koken 4400M-36. Unfortunately since that time our federal government has brought in some really regressive tax laws which aim to collect 10%GST on imports down to $0. What has happened is that online sellers are simply refusing to sell to Australia anymore, since they themselves have to collect the tax.
I knew Amazon had stopped shipping to AU from their other locations, and that their local AU site was a joke. No worries I thought, Rakuten still worked fine... but tonight I checked for price on a Koken 34mm socket and Rakuten (or at least i-tools) no longer ships to AU. So that's both of the sources I had recently used to great effect now closed to me.
Will have to investigate these on-shipping options.... I don't really care too much about paying the 10% GST on what I buy, but I object to having all the global options closed off from me.
Qualitytools
Well-known member
How deep of a drawer does one need to use that plier rack?
The rack itself is 56 mm (2.2 inches) tall -- a fair number of my pliers are taller than that when stood on their side though.
Capt. Spaulding
Well-known member
Do you have any Japanese knives? I used to have a Spyderco from Seki City and it was nice.
Soyderco’s are excellent knives and I have owned hundreds of them. No exageration. They have different models made in a few countries and the Seki City knives are great!
Qualitytools
Well-known member
Thank You!
Here are two cute little tool sets from Engineer. Handy plastic carrying cases. Made in Japan.
Mini nut driver set DK-04 (3.0mm, 3.5mm, 4.0mm, 4.5mm, 5.0mm, 5.5mm, and 6.0mm)
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Mini open ended wrench set TS-01 (3.2mm, 3.5mm, 4.0mm, 5.0mm, 5.5mm, 6.0mm, 6.5mm, 7.0mm, 8.0mm, and 9.0mm)
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Mini nut driver set DK-04 (3.0mm, 3.5mm, 4.0mm, 4.5mm, 5.0mm, 5.5mm, and 6.0mm)
View media item 85281
View media item 85282
Mini open ended wrench set TS-01 (3.2mm, 3.5mm, 4.0mm, 5.0mm, 5.5mm, 6.0mm, 6.5mm, 7.0mm, 8.0mm, and 9.0mm)
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Reed Prince
Well-known member
A recent Factory Gear video featured a Deen quick twist ratchet. Are ratchets like this a worthy toolbox addition, or more of a gimmick?
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5IGIU4PbrOQ" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5IGIU4PbrOQ" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>
dede2897234
Well-known member
Reed Prince,
I own a Stanley (perhaps a copy of the Facom) 3/8" drive twist ratchet. I purchased it at Walmart for $20. When I owned a mid-90's Chevy Cavalier coupe and changed the oil filter as part of an oil change, there was no room for a regular ratchet. I found the twist ratchet invaluable. Since I sold the car, I haven't use the twist ratchet since.
Here is a link to the Stanley 3/8" drive twist (rotator) ratchet on Amazon: LINK.
Dave
I own a Stanley (perhaps a copy of the Facom) 3/8" drive twist ratchet. I purchased it at Walmart for $20. When I owned a mid-90's Chevy Cavalier coupe and changed the oil filter as part of an oil change, there was no room for a regular ratchet. I found the twist ratchet invaluable. Since I sold the car, I haven't use the twist ratchet since.
Here is a link to the Stanley 3/8" drive twist (rotator) ratchet on Amazon: LINK.
Dave
Qualitytools
Well-known member
I also have both the Stanley and the Facom, I use them whenever I can't get the ratchet to swing due to clearence on my BMWs often, I like them a lot!
Bought these Tsunoda chain link pliers (King TTC)for a friend who works on bikes a lot, good for up to 530 chain, made in Japan.
I bought the cable tie cutters for me, they have small rubber “wings” that hold the cut section and prevent it flying off.
Same company, Tsunoda, but are made in Thailand.
They seem to work well.
I bought the cable tie cutters for me, they have small rubber “wings” that hold the cut section and prevent it flying off.
Same company, Tsunoda, but are made in Thailand.
They seem to work well.
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Interesting that Stahlwille North America had this on their site
https://www.stahlwilletools.com/news/ko-ken-nut-grip.html
https://www.stahlwilletools.com/news/ko-ken-nut-grip.html
Interesting that Stahlwille North America had this on their site
https://www.stahlwilletools.com/news/ko-ken-nut-grip.html
I have a single 10mm t handle wobble. Those nut grip sockets are no joke. I will be getting a complete set in the future.
Ko-kenQualitytools
Well-known member
Interesting that Stahlwille North America had this on their site
https://www.stahlwilletools.com/news/ko-ken-nut-grip.html
Thanks for sharing, I already have a Zeal 3/8 set and will be looking to add the nut grip in the near future.
4xdog
Well-known member
Boy, those Ko-ken Nut Grip sockets look nifty. I can think of dozens of times those would have npbeen usedul. Gotta get a set.