I’ve got a couple of these things. Never bought a set, just a couple as I’ve found uses for them. I don’t use them a whole lot.
Most of them are either made in Taiwan, or the ratcheting ends are. I’m not convinced there’s a whole lot of difference between any of them. The weakest areas are the ratcheting ends. They are never going to be as strong as a box end.
Shown below are a Gedore 10mm and a Snap On 13mm. Neither are supposed to be made in Taiwan, but the Snap On omits the usual ‘USA’, and the Gedore the ‘Germany’, which makes me wonder.
Of the three, the Snap On is probably the best. I know some folks have commented on the lack of offset, but in an application where I need one of these wrenches, such as exhaust bolts, it’s not a problem. I wouldn’t currently pay the premium that Snap On currently charge for these in the U.K. I don’t think these are one of their better products, although I know the design has been changed. I did also get a set of the midget ones on a deal. I had to return one as the ratchet kept slipping, and two of the remainder have the ratchet mechanism reversed, so you never know which way round the tool you pick up will work. Not great quality.
Folks have also commented about the Hazet being made in Taiwan. I don’t know if the whole wrench originates there, or if they forge the wrench in Germany and add a Taiwanese ratcheting box. If it was the latter, that would be more acceptable to me, but I suspect German law would prohibit them from putting ‘Made in Germany’ on it.
First pic shows the Snap On and Gedore together for comparison.
How often do folks use the open end? Personally, I think I prefer the old style ratcheting box end wrench shown in the second pic. I’ve heard it said that the heads on these are ‘too thick’ or ‘too wide’ but as you can see, they’re similar to, or even better than, the Gedore ratcheting combo. This tool is also way better quality than the comparable ratcheting combo.
Another option would be the Wera Joker. If you’re not familiar with these, they combine a ratcheting box end with basically a line / flare nut wrench on the other. I Used one for the first time this weekend and they work well.
If I really wanted a ratcheting combo I think I’d try an SK X frame. They do seem to be made in the U.S. and look decent, but I think I’d just get one to try out first! I know you said you wanted reversible, but for me the overall quality would be more important!
Edit - I’ve just noticed that Gedore have changed the design of their wrenches. They look much more like their No 7 combo wrench now, and also say ‘Made in Germany’, so probably are!
