Tools of Japan

[noid]

Alright guys I need some help deciding on a new 1/2” ratchet. I’m torn between the beautiful knurling on the koken 4750n 30 tooth ratchet and the incredibly smooth backdrag of the zeal ratchets. Anyone have any comparison advice ?

Backdrag can be adjusted at home.

Neither ratchet is a high tooth count, including the zeal, so from a compact perspective there are better ratchets for that purpose.

If you love the knurling, get the 4750n, then adjust the backdrag by trimming/swapping the pawl springs.

 

[tanukiboy]

Alright guys I need some help deciding on a new 1/2” ratchet. I’m torn between the beautiful knurling on the koken 4750n 30 tooth ratchet and the incredibly smooth backdrag of the zeal ratchets. Anyone have any comparison advice ?

Hi Tsurumonkey.

First off, thanks for the interesting photo-essay you posted a while back.

I have the Koken 3753NB (which I guess is the 3/8" version of the 4750NB) and the 2753NB (1/4" version) as well as the Zeal 3725Z (3/8") and Zeal 2725Z (1/4").

The backdrag on the NB ratchets is just as low as (or maybe even lower than) on the Zeal ratchets, just a bit more "clacky" due to the lower tooth count. (Actually, I just checked and I'd give the low-backdrag crown to the NB for 3/8" and to the Zeal for 1/4" -- go figure.)

The main reason I prefer the NB series is that they have a quick-release button, unlike the Zeal and N series. Also the knurling is absolutely perfect IMO. I don't really care for the rubber/silicone handles on the Zeal ratchets. They feel fine now, but I wonder whether they might get weird and sticky after a couple of years.

Hope you find this information helpful. Be sure to post about your new purchase!

tanukiboy

 

[mercucho]

Alright guys I need some help deciding on a new 1/2” ratchet. I’m torn between the beautiful knurling on the koken 4750n 30 tooth ratchet and the incredibly smooth backdrag of the zeal ratchets. Anyone have any comparison advice ?

Of the ratchets you mentioned I prefer the 4750NB (I have one). The reasons are several: the fluted handle is fabulous and will remain intact forever and, on the other hand, the quick release button is very practical.

I like it, besides the solid and heavy touch and the 30 teeth are perfect to keep that backdrag.

 

[CR888]

Koken are proudly not in the 'who has the most teeth' race. They seem to do their own thing & not follow others or copy them. You can trust Koken they know what their doing and offer products that don't promote buyers remorse.

 

[noid]

Is this considered a tool?

 

[M6erfan]

Alright guys I need some help deciding on a new 1/2” ratchet. I’m torn between the beautiful knurling on the koken 4750n 30 tooth ratchet and the incredibly smooth backdrag of the zeal ratchets. Anyone have any comparison advice ?

I love my Ko-ken "N" knurled ratchets. Also, the backdrag on their standard ratchets are even nicer/lower than the Zeal.

I seriously doubt you'll need to adjust the backdrag once you actually have them in hand. They are soooo buttery smooth.

 

[Fedwrench]

Is this considered a tool?

No, it's swag regardless of how many times you ask in different threads. Now here's a towel with tools on it. See the difference?

 

[noid]

No, it's swag regardless of how many times you ask in different threads. Now here's a towel with tools on it. See the difference?

Did you get yours from Frank? I always love getting koken merch when I order koken stuff from him.

Never get anything when I order stuff from amazon JP.

 

[Fedwrench]

Did you get yours from Frank? I always love getting koken merch when I order koken stuff from him.

Never get anything when I order stuff from amazon JP.

Nope, I got the ZEAL towel from the Koken booth at SEMA last week.

 

[D-Vice]

Nope, I got the ZEAL towel from the Koken booth at SEMA last week.

Got 2 of the zeal towels, and a koken pen last year when I put a large order into a shop in japan.
Pen still works great, one zeal towel still new in packaging, and one towel gets used as a soft surface on the box to not scratch dash parts like airbags.

And the damn snap on guy won't even give me a pocket screw driver.

 

[noid]

If you guys like stickers, the Koken merch stickers are awesome.

Very metallic, such wow.

 

[tanukiboy]

IPS SH-165S soft jaw pliers.

View media item 88099
It seems that IPS is a Japanese company that specializes in pliers of all kinds. (Their actual company name is Igarashi Pliers Co., Ltd.) I got these soft jaw needle nose pliers from Amazon Japan the other day for about $15.

Link: https://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/product/B002LE74G6/

The quality appears to be quite good, with accurate alignment and almost no play or slop. They are stamped MADE IN JAPAN, and so was the package of replacement plastic jaws I also ordered, which was a pleasant surprise.

Another pleasant surprise was that these are slip joint pliers, but are also held open by spring tension. There is a little spring inside the pivot, which you can kind of see in the second picture below.

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View media item 88102
View media item 88103

 

[ricleh]

IPS makes some nice pliers.

 

[superautobacs]

Thanks for taking the time to post the photos.
I particularly enjoyed seeing the woodworking tools. Very nice.

Nope, I got the ZEAL towel from the Koken booth at SEMA last week.

What's the scoop with Ko-ken in North America?



















IPS has offered a selection of soft-jaw pliers for some years now, but Tsunoda is another company that has recently started offering them, starting with these:

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Random tool shot

Tools by ChrisCas aka Superautobacs, on Flickr




WISE "Return Handle" and "Repeat Handle"

WISE 'Return Handle' by ChrisCas aka Superautobacs, on Flickr


WISE 'Return Handle' by ChrisCas aka Superautobacs, on Flickr

 

[Fedwrench]

What's the scoop with Ko-ken in North America?

I think in the United States Ko-ken is trying to expand its dealer network. Aside from these pages, i'm not really sure that many people know about Ko-ken. In fact Franks Tools may be their only distributor in the USA
I know when i visited their booth at SEMA last week, they acted like I was the first person that knew about them and actually owned some of their tools to have visited their booth. they even gave me a 1/4 ratchet key chain with a goody bag.

 

[superautobacs]

North America is a tough, matured tool market so it's tough going for a company like Ko-ken or any other mid/upper-tier price level Japanese tool manufacture to really break through.

Thanks for the report!

 

[mr.lemons]

Small purchase. Anex 425.

One of the two included stubby bits compared to a standard size bit.

Great and informative thread btw. Skimmed through it over the last week or so.

 

[GrantCee]

WISE "Return Handle" and "Repeat Handle"

Not familiar with these; what are they for?

 

[superautobacs]

One of the two included stubby bits compared to a standard size bit.

Great and informative thread btw. Skimmed through it over the last week or so.

Their stubby bits have served me well. I got the torx and hex sets. I like how they machined a groove to allow for easier release of the bit.

TFTOW and TOJ threads are my favourite

Not familiar with these; what are they for?

I snapped a photo of them because there was a recent thread on the use of cheater pipes for hex/torx keys: https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=405022

The WISE ones a more than just cheater pipes. They allow for working the short end of the key as a speeder, even allowing you to operate the key in a 30 degree working angle

Here's how they work:
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3_mBKgb6hOU?start=48" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>














Latest JTS episode:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-2iXt5En780" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[M6erfan]

What's the scoop with Ko-ken in North America?

I think in the United States Ko-ken is trying to expand its dealer network. Aside from these pages, i'm not really sure that many people know about Ko-ken. In fact Franks Tools may be their only distributor in the USA
I know when i visited their booth at SEMA last week, they acted like I was the first person that knew about them and actually owned some of their tools to have visited their booth. they even gave me a 1/4 ratchet key chain with a goody bag.

North America is a tough, matured tool market so it's tough going for a company like Ko-ken or any other mid/upper-tier price level Japanese tool manufacture to really break through.

Thanks for the report!

I spoke to Ko-ken USA about 2 years ago regarding their sales channels in the U.S. This was at a time when Frank was in the middle of a move, LevelChrome closed up shop, and another U.S. on-line reseller was dodgy at best. What I was told then (I believe I was talking to the head of North American sales, I cant remember his name or exact title), is that Ko-ken, in the U.S. was focussing more on industrial/corporate sales rather than end user sales.

Frank is back up and running full time as far as I can tell, and AFAIK, he's it here in the U.S. which isn't a bad thing, Frank is a great guy and provides good service. However, with Amazon JP being easier to deal with lately, it seems that it has been a great channel for end users as well.

Good to hear that they were at this years SEMA. Have they been there in past years?

 

[Fedwrench]

Good to here that they were at this years SEMA. Have they been there in past years?

I've seen them at AAPEX before but, i think this was their first foray into SEMA.

 

[superautobacs]

Just a few more additions to share:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/61BPkXTqvhM" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Krang]

Spyderco Delica 4 w/ VG-10 blade, Seki-City



My semi-formal EDC, Spyderco Caly ZDP-189 cutting edge and 420j2 blade lamination (polished), carbon handle, Japan made

 

[tanukiboy]

Yeah, knives are tools too...

View media item 88344
These are my Glestain kitchen knives from Japan.

Top is a 21-cm gyuto (meat knife) from their Pro series, middle is a 17-cm santoku (multipurpose kitchen knife), and bottom is a 12-cm petty knife (small utility knife).

The extremely thin blades are sub-zero processed 440A "Acuto" molybdenum vanadium stainless steel at HRC 58-59. They use a Western dual-bevel grind, but with a typical Japanese narrow angle of 15 degrees per side. The huge dimples are amazingly effective at preventing whatever you're slicing from sticking to the blade. The Glestain santoku is my go-to kitchen knife.

 

[noid]

Oh, we're doing knives now too?

Got this last time I was in Japan:

Its a single bevel and cuts through meat like its nothing. I have to keep it oiled or it'll patina.

 

[cleeny]

Damn, I have a PM2, so I can't post pics since it's made in USA!
But nice Spydercos there, Krang. Which one do you like more and why?

 

[Reed Prince]

I'm not a big knife (or kitchen) person but I do have a small Global set and a ceramic Kyocera.

 

[tanukiboy]

Continuing along the "kitchen tools" detour this thread has taken, I just received this Vessel Megadora pickle fork (970CR-120) from Amazon Japan for around $9.

It doesn't work well at all. The tines aren't pointy enough to poke a dill pickle effectively. The weird bend near the tip also makes it really awkward to use. Frankly, it's a major disappointment.

OTOH, I saw some pictures of folks using the exact same pickle fork to remove plastic clips when working on car interiors. I haven't tried using it for that yet. Hope it redeems itself.

View media item 88483
View media item 88484
View media item 88485

 

[mercucho]

Continuing along the "kitchen tools" detour this thread has taken, I just received this Vessel Megadora pickle fork (970CR-120) from Amazon Japan for around $9.

It doesn't work well at all. The tines aren't pointy enough to poke a dill pickle effectively. The weird bend near the tip also makes it really awkward to use. Frankly, it's a major disappointment.

OTOH, I saw some pictures of folks using the exact same pickle fork to remove plastic clips when working on car interiors. I haven't tried using it for that yet. Hope it redeems itself.

Jajajajaja... As a kitchen tool, the Vesel has absolutely failed.

 

[superautobacs]

Tanukiboy,

Pickle fork eh ... you're too funny















Featuring the Factory Gear store located in Toyohashi:

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[M6erfan]

Great vid as always 'bacs. The KTC scrapers are excellent, both their ceramic and carbon steel.

 

[mr.lemons]

Looking to upgrade my Bahco version of these shears. Any reason to choose one of these over the other? Assuming they are from different manufacturers. Would be interested which brand has the better reputation if no one has hands on experience. I don't have experience of either brand beyond reading this thread. Thanks.

 

[Reed Prince]

I imagine the Engineers are a re-brand. The tools look identical. I have the larger, CA-38 version of the Tsunoda (King TTC) and like them a lot.
The CA-22s outperformed Bahcos in a recent test.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BDuQMIG5kgk" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[losvre]

After request of our fellow GJ Negen l am posting a possibly rare version of Panasonic made in Japan!



Sent from my SM-A510F using Tapatalk

 

[Negen]

Looks much nicer over here with all it's other country mates.

Sent from my G8141 using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[straightcut]

I have some well used full sets of 3/8" dr metric six point sockets (8mm-19mm), but am wondering if I should buy a set of Koken sockets as a supplement/replacement for the SK and Wright sets that I have. Normally, I would stick with what I have, however, the Koken Whitworth sockets I have are truly excellent.

Does anyone here have the RS3400M/12 set that you can comment on?

Thanks in advance.

 

[48548]

My dumb answer is how is the warranty? I have never tried to warranty anything from Japan..

looking for a pebble 4766 or any 47xx pebble hinged handle

 

[Negen]

I only have a couple rs3400 and they are top notch up there with Wright and proto. If your looking to have something different look into rs3410m or 3300x. I just bought a 1/2 drive proto 10-32mm set for 119$ but I will be completing my 3/8 drive in koken.

One thing you should own is a complete range of non zeal koken wobble extensions they are the best.

Sent from my G8141 using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Negen]

My dumb answer is how is the warranty? I have never tried to warranty anything from Japan..

looking for a pebble 4766 or any 47xx pebble hinged handle

They will warranty them there is an American source from koken USA. But they wanted me to pay shipping which cost more than the socket that broke. It was a zeal torx bit so not worth shipping back.

Sent from my G8141 using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[48548]

They will warranty them there is an American source from koken USA. But they wanted me to pay shipping which cost more than the socket that broke. It was a zeal torx bit so not worth shipping back.

Sent from my G8141 using The Garage Journal mobile app

Thanks for a reply... i have a lot of koken stuff as well....

looking for a pebble 4766 or any 47xx pebble hinged handle