Tools of Japan

[jimmyin3D]

Yeah most of my dealings with Frankstools has been great fast, however I have had a few where I didn’t receive the item for a couple weeks. He later explained to me that sometimes he doesn’t have everything in stock for his store. The best bet is to email him a screenshot of what you plan to order and he usually lets me know within a day if it’s all good. After that I’ve had no problems.

I realize hes doing this by himself but I wish he would just let people know when things aren’t in stock on the website. It would be much smoother that way but that’s just me.

But like I said he’s pretty reliable and fast shipping and packs well. Keep trying him maybe another email address.

 

[jimmyin3D]

Oh and another tip is to head to amazon.JP switch to English settings. Everything I’ve ordered from them has reached me in abt 4 days max. (The first estimates they provide are usually super off but gets updated once they process) just remember to buy from amazon itself and if in stock also when checking out you’ll see if that item ships to your address. It turns out being super cheap and they also carry Loads of stuff for cheap prices.

 

[Reed Prince]

You can also buy directly from Nepros. I've done this a couple of times and the items were cheaper than at Amazon Japan.

 

[Andres26tnt]

Rude picture taking...in Japan...seriously??

I know lol, but alot of shops don't allow pictures specially if their in DenDen town(Osaka's Akihabara) or Akihabara.

 

[Andres26tnt]

Like promised I decided to go to the Japanese Harbor freight. I was pleasantly surprised that they sell Tone, ktc and vessel.

The new ktc screwdrivers are sure ugly, but they feel good on the hand. I bet you can get some serious torque with them.

I did not know vessel made a 72t ratchet, I was digging the handle.

Lastly I finally touched one of those engineer pliers, neji-saurus lol. They felt different for sure.

 

[mercucho]

That’s about what I expected!

Actually, that’s not too bad when you look at what a Beryllium Copper set will cost you, should you need one!

The Titanium is probably better to use too!

Yes, titanium tools are, due to their hardness, anti-spark and antimagnetic properties, the best on the market for those uses and environments where such characteristics are required.

The price, of course, is very high.

Tone also manufactures some titanium tools ...

 

[Dave455]

Tone also manufactures some titanium tools ...

They look decent!

Why is it, that I have absolutely no need for those tools whatsoever, but find myself desiring a set? I don’t need non magnetic tools, and my need for non sparking are (I hope) long gone, and yet...

I suppose I could use them when wearing my titanium wristwatch, or carrying my titanium pocket knife, just so everything matches...!

 

[mercucho]

They look decent!

Why is it, that I have absolutely no need for those tools whatsoever, but find myself desiring a set? I don’t need non magnetic tools, and my need for non sparking are (I hope) long gone, and yet...

I suppose I could use them when wearing my titanium wristwatch, or carrying my titanium pocket knife, just so everything matches...!

Hahahahahaha...

The same happened to me. I do not need any of those characteristics of titanium tools but I have a crazy desire to have them.

Only its price contains me.

 

[maxnine11]

Now for something a little different.
Spotted this on Ebay. Seller from Japan.
Figured it was just what I needed to go with the pearl blue handled Snap On tools that I have.

 

[Reed Prince]

Now for something a little different.
Spotted this on Ebay. Seller from Japan.
Figured it was just what I needed to go with the pearl blue handled Snap On tools that I have.

Not sure if I understand the functionality of the separating feature, as the ones I've seen before had a ring on both ends. But this one does have the added benefit of more portable volume...

 

[maxnine11]

Now you're tempering my desire for bling with practicality !!?? haha


The packaging does show a carabiner going through the 'nut' end of the key chain. You could put another ring there if you chose.

 

[Reed Prince]

I'm in no position to question other people's choices. My Japanese keyring bling is a completely nonfunctional illustration of two pop stars from a soft drink ad.

 

[maxnine11]

Nice!

There's even some keys on it.

haha!
cheers!
max

 

[Ratchet Guy]

where abouts is this HF Japan

Like promised I decided to go to the Japanese Harbor freight. I was pleasantly surprised that they sell Tone, ktc and vessel.

The new ktc screwdrivers are sure ugly, but they feel good on the hand. I bet you can get some serious torque with them.

I did not know vessel made a 72t ratchet, I was digging the handle.

Lastly I finally touched one of those engineer pliers, neji-saurus lol. They felt different for sure.

 

[javyLSU]

While rummaging around in a toolbox I forgot I had I came across this old pair of Stanley linesman’s pliers. Didn’t realize they were made in Japan...

 

[Skin]

No more Koken or Nepros from Franks.

 

[M6erfan]

No more Koken or Nepros from Franks.

Dang! That *****

 

[cptn_zippy]

No more Koken or Nepros from Franks.

What’s the story?

J

 

[Reed Prince]

 

[Skin]

What’s the story?

J

As far as i know KTC wants to keep Nepros a premier brand and only sell direct. They'd sell to him but it leaves no profit to be made. Koken USA is jerking him around again with supply problems.

 

[CAF51]

Maybe this explains why my order has been sitting without a shipping number for over a week. I really wanted those blue ratchets too.

 

[toddmorr]

not a big deal, I've placed multiple orders with Amazon JP and got good pricing and quick shipping. No issues at all.

 

[cptn_zippy]

Any luck with those Koken double swivels on amazon.jp? 2772z/3772z...I've had none...

J

 

[noid]

Any luck with those Koken double swivels on amazon.jp? 2772z/3772z...I've had none...

J

https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B079QHGB5V/

Just remember to select the vendor under "# new" as amazon and you should be good to go.

 

[bwringer]

I needed some duckbill pliers, casually searched Amazon, and ran across "Tsunoda". Hmm, that name seemed vaguely familiar from somewhere....

Anyway, I ordered up a pair and I am absolutely blown away at the quality. And they're under $15.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002RDDLH2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Even under magnification, these things are flawless. Just amazing. Beautifully made. Off the charts bargain. Perfectly matched tips, gorgeous sharp serrations in the jaws. I'd say they equal or exceed Knipex but without the ridiculous pricing.

Heck, even the fluorescent yellow vinyl handles are superb; just the right amount of tackiness and softness, but tough and slim. Almost a shame they'll get dirty.

I absolutely detest the gigantic heavily greebled rubbery "comfort" handles found on so many pliers; they just get in the way in use and complicate storage by taking up so much space.

I'll definitely be ordering more Tsunoda pliers.

Huge thumbs up, and many thanks to this thread for all the information about various Japanese brands. I never would have considered Tsunoda if they hadn't been mentioned here.

 

[tanukiboy]

I needed some duckbill pliers, casually searched Amazon, and ran across "Tsunoda". Hmm, that name seemed vaguely familiar from somewhere....

Anyway, I ordered up a pair and I am absolutely blown away at the quality. And they're under $15.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002RDDLH2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Even under magnification, these things are flawless. Just amazing. Beautifully made. Off the charts bargain. Perfectly matched tips, gorgeous sharp serrations in the jaws. I'd say they equal or exceed Knipex but without the ridiculous pricing.

Heck, even the fluorescent yellow vinyl handles are superb; just the right amount of tackiness and softness, but tough and slim. Almost a shame they'll get dirty.

I absolutely detest the gigantic heavily greebled rubbery "comfort" handles found on so many pliers; they just get in the way in use and complicate storage by taking up so much space.

I'll definitely be ordering more Tsunoda pliers.

Huge thumbs up, and many thanks to this thread for all the information about various Japanese brands. I never would have considered Tsunoda if they hadn't been mentioned here.

I don't really need them, but I want a pair because they are so pretty!

 

[Mr. Tool]

Thanks for the tip!

I just ordered a pair!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002RDDLH2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Mr. Tool]

Also just placed an order, from i-Tools Japan thru Rakuten, for a set of (4) four beautiful Koken impact (1/2") wheel nut sockets (17mm Blue, 19mm Red, 21mm Yellow & 22mm White).

After researching the cost, nothing here in the states could compare to the total price I paid for this set.

If I had purchased the set of only (3) (17mm, 19mm & 21mm only) the cost would have been well over $145.00 and if I had purchased them each individually the cost would have exceeded $160.00 (go figure! )

So searched thru Rakuten and the total including shipping for the set of (4) was only $103.55!

 

[jimmyin3D]

Really? Amazon.JP has those Koken lugnuts for like $60(17.19.21)+ $20(22) for everything you have there. Even when you search in English mode on amazon JP sometimes things don’t come up(what’s usually the case is the English translation is off)


If you guys like Tsunoda check out the zip tie cutters. They’re the best gripper/flush cut I’ve ever used. Highly recommended:

Tsunodahttp://www.amazon.com/Tsunoda-KBN-150-Cable-Cutter-6-Inch/dp/B0756YR7XX/ref=asc_df_B0756YR7XX/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=309807921328&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=4269088113649174943&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1013962&hvtargid=pla-440636860969&psc=1&th=1

 

[jimmyin3D]

Any luck with those Koken double swivels on amazon.jp? 2772z/3772z...I've had none...

J

****** them up from Franks if you can I think his prices are about the same or cheaper.

 

[jimmyin3D]

As far as i know KTC wants to keep Nepros a premier brand and only sell direct. They'd sell to him but it leaves no profit to be made. Koken USA is jerking him around again with supply problems.

So no more Nepros and Koken On franks? Damn that blows. Hopefully it gets resolved.

 

[Skin]

Not sure there is anything to resolve. The koken problems have been going on for years and Frank was going to stop selling Nepros in 2018 but then the Nepros site went down for months so he kept it up.

It would be nice if he'd get another brand or two to fill in though, like Tone.

 

[Farmall450]

I needed some duckbill pliers, casually searched Amazon, and ran across "Tsunoda". Hmm, that name seemed vaguely familiar from somewhere....

Anyway, I ordered up a pair and I am absolutely blown away at the quality. And they're under $15.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002RDDLH2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Even under magnification, these things are flawless. Just amazing. Beautifully made. Off the charts bargain. Perfectly matched tips, gorgeous sharp serrations in the jaws. I'd say they equal or exceed Knipex but without the ridiculous pricing.

Heck, even the fluorescent yellow vinyl handles are superb; just the right amount of tackiness and softness, but tough and slim. Almost a shame they'll get dirty.

I absolutely detest the gigantic heavily greebled rubbery "comfort" handles found on so many pliers; they just get in the way in use and complicate storage by taking up so much space.

I'll definitely be ordering more Tsunoda pliers.

Huge thumbs up, and many thanks to this thread for all the information about various Japanese brands. I never would have considered Tsunoda if they hadn't been mentioned here.

Wow, those look good. Yellow Channellocks...same money, too.

 

[cptn_zippy]

https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B079QHGB5V/

Just remember to select the vendor under "# new" as amazon and you should be good to go.

Thanks, I'd found them but it said they wouldn't ship, didn't realize that I had to change the vendor.

I'll have to grab them next month. I just bought a bunch of stuff, including the 1/4" Z-EAL set.

J

 

[BK13]

Not sure there is anything to resolve. The koken problems have been going on for years and Frank was going to stop selling Nepros in 2018 but then the Nepros site went down for months so he kept it up.

It would be nice if he'd get another brand or two to fill in though, like Tone.

Yeah, Tone would be cool. Superautobacs did a video featuring some silver finished Tone stubby impact sockets. I'd like to pick some up, but I'm too lazy to hunt them down on Rakuten.

 

[bwringer]

Wow, those look good. Yellow Channellocks...same money, too.

Honestly, the Tsunoda pliers beat the heck out of Channellock pliers, at least in visible indicators of quality and attention to detail.

I have several assorted Channellock pliers and cutters, and I've always found them to be strong and useful, but with very poor finishes, often rough action, and poor matching on the jaws. The serrations in the jaws are often sort of blurry and uneven. They work fine, and they're mostly US-made at a great price, but their stuff ain't pretty at all.

On the Tsunoda pliers, the jaws are even and match exactly, the serrations are sharp and clear and line up perfectly, the action right out the package is smooth, and the surface finishes are excellent.

Either brand will grab and pinch and twist stuff just fine, but one is very obviously made to a price with different priorities. They sort of encapsulate the differences in American and Japanese attitudes.

 

[mercifiknow]

WTH!!!??

I just ordered Koken 1/4 ratchet from Frank and received it a month or so ago and was planning on buying some deep sockets next month. ****....

 

[toddmorr]

tsunoda???? very cool. Looks like they have a wide range of pliers... am going to have to place an order post haste.

I don't own any (yet), but I suspect this is another Japanese brand (like Koken) that delivers truly outstanding quality for value.

re an earlier Tone comment...i sampled a wide cross section of their ratchets in Japan a few months ago. Typically good Japanese finish and attention to detail, felt strong etc but way too much back drag for my taste.

 

[cbracer]

Funny you mention Tsunoda.... I've bought a couple of these flush cuts lately and am very happy with the quality and price:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002RDDM0I/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Handyandy23]

Can anyone advise on the differences between the "regular" Koken ratchets and the Z-eal line? I keep reading on here about how amazing the Koken ratchets are and how they have almost zero back drag, so was going to order one off Amazon.jp to try.

Just want to make sure I end up with a 'good one' to make future decisions based on.