Proto vs. Blackhawk 1/4" sockets

[MuddyTaco]

I have been looking (online) at 1/4" shallow Metric & SAE sockets from both brands, and was wondering, is there really any difference between the two? Ten piece sets can be found pretty close to one another - price wise. But, I really don't have the money to buy sets from both brands at the moment. Are the Blackhawk USA sockets really just as good as Proto's 1/4" drive sockets?

Also, tool websites, Ebay listings, etc., only show these sockets from the sides. Sure, looking at the shiny chrome sides is nice and all. But, what they don't do is let you get a really good look down into the sockets themselves. Do any of you own 1/4" shallow sockets from both brands? And if you do, would any of you mind taking some photos looking down into them (say in sizes 13MM or 1/2"), showing what they look like inside? And then posting here on this thread?

Thanks for the help.

 

[lardy1]

I have Blackhawk 3/8 SAE 12 point deep sockets. If there's something about them that might help you, I'd be glad to post pictures (if my ****** cell signal allows it).

 

[B_Bimmer]

It used to be the sizes were MUCH easier to read on proto. They were deeper and bigger. I am not certain about current production.

 

[californiaHank]

I have a set of US made Blackhawk 1/4" deep 6 points.
They're reasonably good - comparable to the old US Craftsman sockets.
But, Proto sockets are in a different category - better chrome, better markings, etc.
That's not surprising - the Proto ones cost a _lot_ more.

 

[victor252]

I have Blackhawk 3/8 SAE 12 point deep sockets. If there's something about them that might help you, I'd be glad to post pictures (if my ****** cell signal allows it).

I have Proto metric and Blackhawk USA in SAE. My ratchet/socket set numbers are:
Proto:J52222XL
BH: 3820-S

The interior of the twelve points are identical and the exterior polish is the same but PROTO does have the larger stampings.

I notice that the Blackhawk sockets are necked down for some sizes while the Protos are straight walled for all sizes.

The deep Protos are longer than the deep Blackhawks. These are 19MM and 3/4 sockets.

For a few dollars more, the easier to read Protos are nice, but if you prefer necked down, then Blackhawk USA may be the way to go. Keep in mind these may be older generations than what you're looking at.

 

[lardy1]

Keep in mind these may be older generations than what you're looking at.

That's one of the things with Blackhawk. The name has been owned by multiple companies. I have a few different Blackhawk wrench and socket sets. I'm not sure they are even manufactured by the same parent company. Nice domestic tools, though. Not premier but very usable.

 

[dnschmidt]

Chevy vs. Cadillac type of question: Fact is either will turn a bolt for a very long time but the Proto will make you feel like you're ****'s an inch longer which just about sums it up.

 

[Paco Pena]

Either will work fine. You will loose it before you wear either socket out. I have lots of old BlackHawk tools. No complaints.

Paco

 

[measuredtwice]

I've owned fairly recent production Proto and Blackhawk made by Proto. You won't be able to tell the difference from a photo looking down into the sockets. I'm not sure if there is a difference in the chrome or finishing--they look close. There's definitely a difference in the way they are marked. The markings on the Blackhawk are shallow, small, and buried in the other text. The markings on the Proto are deep, large, and easy to read.

You can sometimes get deals on the Blackhawk sockets because not as many people are looking for them. I recently paid 33 cents per socket for several rails full. Brand new in box. I didn't keep them though (I find deals all the time and have more than I need). I did keep sockets from Proto.

Both are good sockets.

 

[Iowafox]

If you where asking me I would get Proto all day long. i have a soft spot for them and eventually all my most used sockets will be Proto.
Now Blackhawk is nice and they are made by Proto but there kind of like the Snapon vs Williams you get a better deal on the Blackhawk because there finish isn't as nice and pretty and the lettering as already said isn't as deep or as nice looking. If you can spring for the Proto you won't be disappointed.

 

[lardy1]

FWIW, Armstrong 1/4 drive sets are pretty reasonable on eBay. Sorry if it's not pertinent.

 

[cherrybomb]

I have a few Blackhawk sockets in 8 point for potential use on pipe plugs.They look very good quality,the etching maybe a bit light.A bit cheaper than Proto.I had a few 1/4 drive SAE Proto bought back in 1971,that have a special spot in my heart.Thats when I started realizing quality tools are worth it.About 10 years ago,I upgraded all my 3/8 drives to Proto,from mostly Craftsmen.They were all yet excellent. I use my Proto hard,but don't abuse.They are a great socket and I highly recommend them.A certain feeling using good tools.Hands down,both good choices,but for me,the Proto.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

Proto and Blackhawk are like SnapOn and Williams. If you don't care about fine details (like markings), then they are 100% functionally as good. I have a bunch of both brands. As mentioned, killer deals can be had on USA made Blackhawk.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

Both are good I have both and use both professionally honestly I recommend either one of them. Never have broken either brand and both are USA made so that’s a plus too.


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[Iowafox]

Both are good I have both and use both professionally honestly I recommend either one of them. Never have broken either brand and both are USA made so that’s a plus too.


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I think your 100% right! Both are great USA made and honestly heritage worthy to be passed down to your kids someday. There made well and both are better then having cheap sockets!
I need to upgrade all mine to Proto someday soon! I have Husky sockets currently and yes there good but I want to slowly upgrade to Proto personally I love there sockets more so then my few snapon sockets.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

I think your 100% right! Both are great USA made and honestly heritage worthy to be passed down to your kids someday. There made well and both are better then having cheap sockets!

I need to upgrade all mine to Proto someday soon! I have Husky sockets currently and yes there good but I want to slowly upgrade to Proto personally I love there sockets more so then my few snapon sockets.

Lol [emoji23] which generation Husky do you have? I bought a 30mm socket and split it in half and had to get it warrantied. And yes I love both they are great I actually started getting them at the pawn shop cause I thought Blackhawk was out of business lol then I found out they were still around so I pick them up anyway.


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[GeoBruin]

I have all Proto in 1/4 drive and later bought Blackhawk in 3/8 and 1/2 because I decided I didn't want to spend what Proto costs for the larger drive sizes.

They are, in my opinion, every bit as good with the exception of the size of the markings. Not only are they small but they are smashed right along with the brand name and made in USA markings etc which makes them even harder to see at times.

Also, Blackhawk is a little harder to find new if you want to later expand your collection. That said, if you can find what you want, you save money and get great sockets.

 

[bigjeff94]

I have all Proto in 1/4 drive and later bought Blackhawk in 3/8 and 1/2 because I decided I didn't want to spend what Proto costs for the larger drive sizes.

They are, in my opinion, every bit as good with the exception of the size of the markings. Not only are they small but they are smashed right along with the brand name and made in USA markings etc which makes them even harder to see at times.

Also, Blackhawk is a little harder to find new if you want to later expand your collection. That said, if you can find what you want, you save money and get great sockets.

Agreed. Blackhawk is a great value. Love their combo wrenches and chrome sockets. My biggest complaint is size markings and availability can be tough. Fill in with Proto impacts and you're all set.

 

[Iowafox]

Lol [emoji23] which generation Husky do you have? I bought a 30mm socket and split it in half and had to get it warrantied.


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I have the current generation I think or what ever one they had 2 years ago. I was waiting for the Husky 200 piece socket set to get lower then $80. Gave up hope randomly went to Home Depot in early September walked past a small stack of 2 boxes of the 200 piece sockets only for $60 out the door each. I only got 1 box of them as a birthday gift to my self. I've been very pleased with them over all besides one time when battling a rusted 13mm brake caliper bolt that it wouldn't hold. Swapped it for my Snapon 13mm and it popped it off right away.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

I have the current generation I think or what ever one they had 2 years ago. I was waiting for the Husky 200 piece socket set to get lower then $80. Gave up hope randomly went to Home Depot in early September walked past a small stack of 2 boxes of the 200 piece sockets only for $60 out the door each. I only got 1 box of them as a birthday gift to my self. I've been very pleased with them over all besides one time when battling a rusted 13mm brake caliper bolt that it wouldn't hold. Swapped it for my Snapon 13mm and it popped it off right away.

Cool lol. I split my 30mm trying to take an axle nut off but they replaced it no question asked at all. I have some of the old Husky USA and it’s really nice stuff.


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[mikebaker1129]

Cool lol. I split my 30mm trying to take an axle nut off but they replaced it no question asked at all. I have some of the old Husky USA and it’s really nice stuff.


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Some of the Older Home Depot era Husky/Challenger & Blackhawk sockets are exactly the same,sans the names.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

Some of the Older Home Depot era Husky/Challenger & Blackhawk sockets are exactly the same,sans the names.

Yeah they were probably made by the same people.


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[mikebaker1129]

Yes, Stanley.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

Proto vs. Blackhawk 1/4" sockets

Yes, Stanley.

I never imagined Stanley would of made a good tool lol [emoji23] but maybe then they had higher quality standards those days.


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[Iowafox]

Cool lol. I split my 30mm trying to take an axle nut off but they replaced it no question asked at all. I have some of the old Husky USA and it’s really nice stuff.


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See I have a small collection of axle nut sockets now or at least sockets that I will probably only use for them lol. I make it a point to get Tekton deep impact sockets for them. My 2006 Chevy Malibu I replaced the wheel hub assemblies all the way around on it and the front 2 had to have a 35 mm socket. I read somewhere it was a 34 mm ordered it wrong size, went and got a 35 mm and it fit lol. I also have a few other larger sockets. Then about a year ago a coworker gave me a box of old USA made sockets. One was a 12 pt shallow 1/2 drive 35 mm chrome Napa USA socket. That now sits in my car just incase I ever need to replace the wheel hub assembly again and I am not home lol.
the husky sockets aren't the best at all I got them because I needed to up my socket game from just a small Stanley set. I now have a good selection of sockets which is nice nothing special besides my Napa USA 3/8 dr SAE and Metric set that I put together. The Husky sockets went in the Stanley blow mold case and is now my main mobile tool kit for small repairs. The sockets are cheap enough to leave in my car and not worry about all the time.
I have been known to be to prepared for anything lol. As I am the only one who has tools with all the time and on road trips I am always saving the day with flats and other small auto repairs.

 

[Iowafox]

Re: Proto vs. Blackhawk 1/4" sockets

I never imagined Stanley would of made a good tool lol [emoji23] but maybe then they had higher quality standards those days.


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I work for Stanley and the only good thing they do now is own MAC tools, Proto, Facom & some of the Dewalt stuff that's about the best thing they make now. The only good Stanley branded stuff now is there Tape measures all but those despised leverlock tapes!!!! And my paychecks lol.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

See I have a small collection of axle nut sockets now or at least sockets that I will probably only use for them lol. I make it a point to get Tekton deep impact sockets for them. My 2006 Chevy Malibu I replaced the wheel hub assemblies all the way around on it and the front 2 had to have a 35 mm socket. I read somewhere it was a 34 mm ordered it wrong size, went and got a 35 mm and it fit lol. I also have a few other larger sockets. Then about a year ago a coworker gave me a box of old USA made sockets. One was a 12 pt shallow 1/2 drive 35 mm chrome Napa USA socket. That now sits in my car just incase I ever need to replace the wheel hub assembly again and I am not home lol.

the husky sockets aren't the best at all I got them because I needed to up my socket game from just a small Stanley set. I now have a good selection of sockets which is nice nothing special besides my Napa USA 3/8 dr SAE and Metric set that I put together. The Husky sockets went in the Stanley blow mold case and is now my main mobile tool kit for small repairs. The sockets are cheap enough to leave in my car and not worry about all the time.

I have been known to be to prepared for anything lol. As I am the only one who has tools with all the time and on road trips I am always saving the day with flats and other small auto repairs.

Those Napa USA are good I have some of those from the pawn shops I can’t ever find any info on them like who made them for them or anything. Yeah at work we can’t use impacts on axle nuts so I just have chrome sockets except for the axle nut sockets I have at home are impact but I knew taking that particular axle nut off either the socket was going to split or the breaker bar was going to permanently bend and I was right lol. I do have a couple Stanley sockets in my collection mostly as fill ins for example I got a set of 1/2 metric from 8-24 and it didn’t include a 9mm 1/2 not that I would ever need it though I have used 9mm in 3/8 and 1/4 drive I found a Stanley brand one at Walmart for $1 on sale so I picked it up to fill in my set.


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[BlakeTheCarGuy]

Re: Proto vs. Blackhawk 1/4" sockets

I work for Stanley and the only good thing they do now is own MAC tools, Proto, Facom & some of the Dewalt stuff that's about the best thing they make now. The only good Stanley branded stuff now is there Tape measures all but those despised leverlock tapes!!!! And my paychecks lol.

Lol [emoji23] sorry didn’t know you worked for them or I wouldn’t have talked bad about them. For quality brand store sockets I go with Kobalt Taiwan made excellent quality also found a couple USA NOS Craftsman at Ollies Bargain Outlet a few days ago both pliers and screwdrivers and sockets and cleaned them out on them date codes are G2D for the sockets the pliers I can’t remember and the screwdrivers are AG. Also Tekton is a good one too and Pittsburgh Pro for chrome and impact sockets but majority of my sockets are SK, Cornwell and Snap-on and Mac I have yet to try Matco sockets and I have a large amount of Kobalt sockets too. If Stanley would bring back their USA professional line I would totally buy them though I have some of those and they are absolutely amazing.


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[FSrepair&fabrication]

My experience with both is that the proto are just a bit nicer. Couldn’t tell the difference functionally, just the finish, however the proto and Blackhawk stuff I own is probably 20 years old so there may be differences now that I’m not aware of.

 

[MuddyTaco]

Thanks for all of the replies, Everyone.

Quick update: I ended up picking up a new 10 pc. set of Proto 1/4" Drive 6PT sockets on Ebay. They were $35 shipped, but with a $25 discount code (that Ebay sent me last night), they only cost me $10 shipped - or $1 per socket.

Anyhoo, back our regularly scheduled program - whatever you guys are talking about above. Feel free to continue...

 

[measuredtwice]

Thanks for all of the replies, Everyone.

Quick update: I ended up picking up a new 10 pc. set of Proto 1/4" Drive 6PT sockets on Ebay. They were $35 shipped, but with a $25 discount code (that Ebay sent me last night), they ended up only costing $10 shipped - or $1 per socket.

Anyhoo, back our regularly scheduled program - whatever you guys are talking about above. Feel free to continue...

Tell us more about this $25 discount code!!

 

[MuddyTaco]

Yeah, that code just popped up on my Ebay App, with a pinkish purple graphic full of balloons and confetti. It said, "A special $25 Coupon just for our first customers.. Thank you for being being with us from the beginning... Yadda yadda yadda.."

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

Thanks for all of the replies, Everyone.

Quick update: I ended up picking up a new 10 pc. set of Proto 1/4" Drive 6PT sockets on Ebay. They were $35 shipped, but with a $25 discount code (that Ebay sent me last night), they only cost me $10 shipped - or $1 per socket.

Anyhoo, back our regularly scheduled program - whatever you guys are talking about above. Feel free to continue...

You will love the Proto ones I use both as a professional mechanic and they are just amazing I have not had any problems with them.


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[MuddyTaco]

Oh, about that Ebay code:

Only invited, registered eBay users who see the Coupon in My Ebay Messages are eligible. Sorry, no forwarding - Coupon is not transferable.

Just thought that I should post that for anyone wanting the code..

 

[measuredtwice]

Thanks! I got it too. Code is "HAPPY25"

 

[Iowafox]

Re: Proto vs. Blackhawk 1/4" sockets

Lol [emoji23] sorry didn’t know you worked for them or I wouldn’t have talked bad about them. For quality brand store sockets I go with Kobalt Taiwan made excellent quality also found a couple USA NOS Craftsman at Ollies Bargain Outlet a few days ago both pliers and screwdrivers and sockets and cleaned them out on them date codes are G2D for the sockets the pliers I can’t remember and the screwdrivers are AG. Also Tekton is a good one too and Pittsburgh Pro for chrome and impact sockets but majority of my sockets are SK, Cornwell and Snap-on and Mac I have yet to try Matco sockets and I have a large amount of Kobalt sockets too. If Stanley would bring back their USA professional line I would totally buy them though I have some of those and they are absolutely amazing.


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Hey I talk bad about them because it is the facts lol. I don't care if anyone talks bad about them
Hell half the time if we have a Stanley socket or wrench we say hand me the Stabme socket or wrench as they are weaker and break in the factory and Craftsman is well Crapsman as everyone knows lol.

 

[MuddyTaco]

Thanks! I got it too. Code is "HAPPY25"

Sweet! Yep, that's the one that I got too..

 

[Iowafox]

Thanks! I got it too. Code is "HAPPY25"

I might have to try this! Thanks for sharing!!!

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

Re: Proto vs. Blackhawk 1/4" sockets

Hey I talk bad about them because it is the facts lol. I don't care if anyone talks bad about them

Hell half the time if we have a Stanley socket or wrench we say hand me the Stabme socket or wrench as they are weaker and break in the factory and Craftsman is well Crapsman as everyone knows lol.

LOL. I picked up a Stanley USA Workmaster socket today at the pawn shop do you have any experience with those? It looks like it’s decent quality it’s a 9/16 1/2 drive 12 point


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[MuddyTaco]

I might have to try this! Thanks for sharing!!!

It's not a General Use Code.

You have to see the code (in a message that they send you) in your "My Messages" Folder in order for it to work.. Sorry.