Tools of Japan

[pizza]

lots of koken stuff (especially zeal) won't even ship from amazon to the US right now. amazon itself is out of stock on many items i wanted, and third party sellers almost never ship to USA.

so i tried frank's:

2771Z zeal 1/4" universal joint
3322AZ-75 zeal 3/8" F to 1/4" M step down extension adapter
RS3400MZ/12 zeal 3/8" socket set on rail
3771Z zeal 3/8" universal joint

i asked him if there would be any out of stock issues, and he said he was out of stock on the items i bolded above. so he stocks some stuff at least, but many things on his website are not actually in stock.

he said i'd have to wait a few weeks. not a huge deal i guess, especially since there's nowhere else to even order them atm afaik.

 

[E.T.]

Amazon JP seems to be out of almost everything I’ve had waiting in my cart, lots of Vessel and Koken items. They are still shipping to US at least. Amazon UK and DE won’t ship to the US at all right now.

I’ve seen a few third parties that ship stateside but the cost killed the deal.

AFAIK Frank is still selling some Koken but I think he is keeping less stock than he used to. He did mention a falling out with the distributor some time ago so not sure what changed.

 

[measuredtwice]

I bought recently from Amazon Japan and although it took a few days to ship, it only took one day for delivery after shipment. I ordered the day before the big virus spike in Japan so that may have delayed getting it to the carrier. DHL certainly was fast.

Several of the items that I ordered were listed as only 1 remaining and went to 0 after my order but a few days later they all went back to 1 remaining. So it looks like they are getting more stock. Might be slow during the pandemic.

I read in the news that Japan is paying companies to move production back to Japan. Good news for the future of manufacturing in Japan!

 

[Frankstools]

Gentleman, send me an email if you are looking for an item, it's possible that I have in stock. I am no longer purchasing from the koken distributor in the USA but can source all koken items. I will be launching a new webstore, so I am not adding items to current.

 

[BK13]

Gentleman, send me an email if you are looking for an item, it's possible that I have in stock. I am no longer purchasing from the koken distributor in the USA but can source all koken items. I will be launching a new webstore, so I am not adding items to current.

Good to read this. I was just getting ready to order some stuff when the KoKen fiasco happened. I surely do hope you'll have access to the stuff I want!

 

[BK13]

I know quite a few folks who have stumbled across KoKen looking for Whitworth stuff, but have ended up with a lot more in other sizes.

In Whitworth, they are pretty much unique in offering deep sockets (both 1/4 drive BA and 3/8 drive Whit) AND universal sockets!

On another thread, a poster expressed the view that the U.S. seemed to be almost ‘bi-polar’ with regard to tools. People either bought the very best (Snap On etc) or the very cheapest (Harbor Freight etc) with very little in between. I’d started to notice that too.

Here in the U.K. I see loads that are either ‘middle ground’, or relatively top end but without the prices. Stahlwille, Hazet, Gedore, Elora, King ****, Facom, Beta, etc are all to be found, but it seems to me that the Japanese manufacturers have gained the most ground in recent years, KoKen in particular. Yet they seldom advertise. Seems that caring about your product, keeping quality high, yet charging reasonable prices is a good business formula!

Hi Dave. As a guy who frequently works on an old Jeep, I was a bit perplexed that KoKen has a greater selection of (useful for me, at least) BSW tools than SAE! First world problems, I know, as anything I need that KoKen doesn't make, I could buy from Snap On or Proto. But I was also looking for some pretty obscure items, so it's not really all that surprising.

 

[Dave455]

Hi Dave. As a guy who frequently works on an old Jeep, I was a bit perplexed that KoKen has a greater selection of (useful for me, at least) BSW tools than SAE! First world problems, I know, as anything I need that KoKen doesn't make, I could buy from Snap On or Proto. But I was also looking for some pretty obscure items, so it's not really all that surprising.

Actually, although they have a good selection of BSW, they have an even better selection of SAE. I think that just about everything they offer in metric they offer in SAE, with a few exceptions such as ‘surface drive’.

Where were you looking?

It’s probably worth going on to the KoKen website (the manufacturers, not the importers) and downloading the full catalogue. Then you can simply order by part number!

Edit - I have a paper catalogue too. If anything causes problems, let me know and I’ll give you the part number!

 

[E.T.]

Gentleman, send me an email if you are looking for an item, it's possible that I have in stock. I am no longer purchasing from the koken distributor in the USA but can source all koken items. I will be launching a new webstore, so I am not adding items to current.

New website!? I can feel my wallet getting lighter already

 

[pizza]

nice! i look forward to browsing your new site, frank

 

[superautobacs]

Agreed, I was referring to Capri and Genius wrenches that look to be machined from bar. Could be forged but look machined to me.

Maybe I'm overthinking it, are Japanese tools no better than Taiwan?

Sent from my SM-T720 using Tapatalk

They would be forged. There's probably a few OEM's in Taiwan that are supplying the XL, zero-offset DBE's to the world. Some have beams that are more radiused than others. Some beams have a wider profile than others. Some boxed ends have broachings with deeper chamfered leading edges than others. In other words, not all Taiwanese OEM's are equal.
They are pretty much emulating Snap-on's overall profile, and KTC's Nepros brand is no exception either.
Are Japanese tools better than Taiwan's offerings? Might be an over generalization, but I think Japanese brands offer better product QC and consistency. Not to mention, these Japanese manufacturers/brands have been around for many, many decades. Same can't be said for Taiwanese manufacturers/brands....brands that may or may not last a decade.

 

[Steve_P]

Superautobacs: I have the Genius XL DBE wrenches and they appear to be machined from bar stock. Do you know for a fact they're forged? I don't care, but....

The Taiwan tools I have are as good or better than the Japan and USA tools I have

 

[Qualitytools]

Gentleman, send me an email if you are looking for an item, it's possible that I have in stock. I am no longer purchasing from the koken distributor in the USA but can source all koken items. I will be launching a new webstore, so I am not adding items to current.

Thanks for letting us know Frank, will look forward to it.

 

[BK13]

Actually, although they have a good selection of BSW, they have an even better selection of SAE. I think that just about everything they offer in metric they offer in SAE, with a few exceptions such as ‘surface drive’.

Where were you looking?

It’s probably worth going on to the KoKen website (the manufacturers, not the importers) and downloading the full catalogue. Then you can simply order by part number!

Edit - I have a paper catalogue too. If anything causes problems, let me know and I’ll give you the part number!

I was looking on the KoKen .pdf. It's been a while, but I seem to recall that it was either Nut Grip sockets or universals that was covered in Whitworth but not inch. I'm not in any big hurry, but I appreciate the offer.

 

[M6erfan]

Gentleman, send me an email if you are looking for an item, it's possible that I have in stock. I am no longer purchasing from the koken distributor in the USA but can source all koken items. I will be launching a new webstore, so I am not adding items to current.

Great news Frank! Thanks for chiming in, it's been a while

 

[superautobacs]

Superautobacs: I have the Genius XL DBE wrenches and they appear to be machined from bar stock. Do you know for a fact they're forged? I don't care, but....

The Taiwan tools I have are as good or better than the Japan and USA tools I have

This video shows bar stock being drop forged, making XL DBE wrench blanks.
No idea on the OEM.

With over 2000 hand tool manufacturers in Taiwan, these forged blanks could possibly get sent to buyers (other hand tool manufacturers/brands) where further processing is performed (broaching, brand stamping, vibratory finishing, surface finishing, and packing) and exported to different corners of the world.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/k1-Vp2flcTE" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[mn700vforce]

Just picked these pliers up, really impressed with the quality and feel

 

[zktk01]

I just ordered a set of Merry Pliers from Franks they must have been in stock shipping was very fast. Pics coming soon.

 

[66HertzClone]

Just picked these pliers up, really impressed with the quality and feel

Looks like a yellow handled version of my Vampliers, same company I guess?

 

[4xdog]

Picked up this four-pack of face masks for notalot in a quickie-mart in Tokyo as a souvenir last summer. The claims on the back of the package state the mask filters 99% of particles between 0.1-1.0 µm and "firmly blocks virus splash". Wish I'd gotten more...

Those who have traveled to Japan will know how common it is in that culture to wear a mask when one has a bug to protect fellow citizens. We're getting there here too, faster than anyone might have thought.

 

[dutchgray]

Got a few Koken bits in
View media item 1033403400MSP/12 3/8" metric extra sockets
3774N 3/8" Ratchet
2749P-1/4HF Bit ratchet

 

[Mohawk Dave]

Ok guys, I'm confused.

I went to order a bunch of stuff from Amazon Japan last night. It said I need a different login.

I googled and searched here and saw I need to make another account for Amazon Japan.

If I do that does my Prime still work?... I don't have to buy Prime again for Amazon Japan, correct?

 

[mn700vforce]

They are made by Engineer, that company makes the pliers for Vampliers

 

[mr.lemons]

Got a few Koken bits in

Very nice. Been look at those 'extra' sockets for a while.

 

[Dave455]

Got a few Koken bits in
View media item 1033403400MSP/12 3/8" metric extra sockets

Yes, very nice!

Didn’t even know that those ‘Extra’ sockets existed, and I was looking at the catalogue this week!

 

[FlaGman]

Your Amazon account will work, the Prime part doesn’t really mean much as you need to make sure the items you select will ship internationally and shipping isn’t free. I have placed a couple orders (none since the C virus started, though) and was pleased with the shipping speed.

 

[BigBoreFan]

I just created separate Amazon accounts. I have separate US, Japan, and German accounts. I only have Prime in the US. Prior to the COVID, shipping from Japan was typically very fast, crazy fast sometines. Germany was hit and miss. Germany could be pretty slow. Shipping was never free from Japan or Germany and many vendors on Amazon Germany and Japan do not ship to the USA.

I loaded up on Knipex from AMAZON.de. My AMAZON Japan purchases have been all over the map, mostly stuff I couldn't find in the US.

 

[dutchgray]

Yes, very nice!

Didn’t even know that those ‘Extra’ sockets existed, and I was looking at the catalogue this week!

I think they were specially made and what there is in stock is it. Got them from www.uktools.com.
Not bought any Koken in a while. Need a set of Whitworth sockets though next.

 

[Negen]

My wife is going to hate you when she find's out what you did to my bank account.

I had to buy the 'extra' in 3/8 and 1/4 deep.

Got a few Koken bits in
View media item 1033403400MSP/12 3/8" metric extra sockets
3774N 3/8" Ratchet
2749P-1/4HF Bit ratchet

Sent from my ONEPLUS A6013 using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[tanukiboy]

Ok guys, I'm confused.

I went to order a bunch of stuff from Amazon Japan last night. It said I need a different login.

I googled and searched here and saw I need to make another account for Amazon Japan.

If I do that does my Prime still work?... I don't have to buy Prime again for Amazon Japan, correct?

Yeah, you need to make a separate account to order from Amazon Japan. Also, your US Prime membership doesn't apply in Japan. (I have exactly the opposite problem because I live in Japan. I have a Prime account at Amazon Japan, but it doesn't apply to my Amazon US account.)

 

[Qualitytools]

Got a few Koken bits in
View media item 1033403400MSP/12 3/8" metric extra sockets
3774N 3/8" Ratchet
2749P-1/4HF Bit ratchet

It appears that the socket set you have have knurling on them, I don't recall my Zeal set having any knurling. I know yours are not Zeal but.......additionally, did it come with the socket tray that's shown? That is also different from the magnetic tray that came with my Zeal set.

 

[Skin]

I just created separate Amazon accounts. I have separate US, Japan, and German accounts. I only have Prime in the US. Prior to the COVID, shipping from Japan was typically very fast, crazy fast sometines. Germany was hit and miss. Germany could be pretty slow. Shipping was never free from Japan or Germany and many vendors on Amazon Germany and Japan do not ship to the USA.

I loaded up on Knipex from AMAZON.de. My AMAZON Japan purchases have been all over the map, mostly stuff I couldn't find in the US.

Your german account is actually Amazon EU. It works with Amazon UK, France, Italy etc..

 

[dutchgray]

It appears that the socket set you have have knurling on them, I don't recall my Zeal set having any knurling. I know yours are not Zeal but.......additionally, did it come with the socket tray that's shown? That is also different from the magnetic tray that came with my Zeal set.

Came exactly as shown, on the standard metal rail in the cardboard box.
Yes they do have a knurled band on them. That is part of the Extra in the name.
The Zeal stuff comes with nicer rails than standard sets.

 

[Dave455]

It appears that the socket set you have have knurling on them, I don't recall my Zeal set having any knurling. I know yours are not Zeal but.......additionally, did it come with the socket tray that's shown? That is also different from the magnetic tray that came with my Zeal set.

These ‘Extra’ sockets seem to be a variation of the regular size sockets, but as dutchgray says, the knurling is unique to them. That’s the regular socket rail that they all come with.

The Z Series / Zeal tools are a special line designed to be as compact as feasible for working on modern vehicles, and is different again. They come with the rails I assume you have.

I saw a clip on YouTube by ‘KoKen USA’, and frankly, it was hopeless. The guy presenting it didn’t seem to have a clue about the tools he was discussing. In the U.S. they seem to be pushing the Z Series / Zeal range because it’s different, but seem to be neglecting the regular tools, which in my opinion are KoKen’s strongest line!

 

[noid]

These ‘Extra’ sockets seem to be a variation of the regular size sockets, but as dutchgray says, the knurling is unique to them. That’s the regular socket rail that they all come with.

The Z Series / Zeal tools are a special line designed to be as compact as feasible for working on modern vehicles, and is different again. They come with the rails I assume you have.

I saw a clip on YouTube by ‘KoKen USA’, and frankly, it was hopeless. The guy presenting it didn’t seem to have a clue about the tools he was discussing. In the U.S. they seem to be pushing the Z Series / Zeal range because it’s different, but seem to be neglecting the regular tools, which in my opinion are KoKen’s strongest line!

Zeal is the only line in the market working to tighter than ISO tolerances (not just externally, internally also). In that regard, its their strongest line when it comes to advertising.

 

[superautobacs]

Dutchgray,

nice to see some EXTRA sockets. I don't recall if it was only for the UK market or not.











List of Ko-ken Japan's Youtube videos:

List of Ko-ken USA's Youtube videos:

Both pages and all videos came out roughly around the same time.
Japanese page has more videos though.
Nothing new has been posted in two years.
Before these pages came out Ko-ken had zero social media presence. ...and they remain silent in other social media platforms too. Yeah, they are very conservative.

 

[Jack84]

Got a couple of Ko-Ken items, excellent stuff.


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[mn700vforce]

When I have ordered from Amazon Japan I receive the items faster than regular Amazon shipping in the USA.

 

[E.T.]

Dutchgray,

nice to see some EXTRA sockets. I don't recall if it was only for the UK market or not
Both pages and all videos came out roughly around the same time.
Japanese page has more videos though.
Nothing new has been posted in two years.
Before these pages came out Ko-ken had zero social media presence. ...and they remain silent in other social media platforms too. Yeah, they are very conservative.

I do remember reading they were only offered in the UK. Can’t seem to find them for sale anywhere else

 

[E.T.]

When I have ordered from Amazon Japan I receive the items faster than regular Amazon shipping in the USA.

While true, you are also paying for that shipping. My first order shipping was close to $50

 

[Dave455]

Some Japanese tools in action today!

Using my KoKen 2753PS short 1/4” drive ratchet, together with a KoKen 2BA deep socket, to repair a fuel pump.