Tools of Japan

[Reed Prince]

I’ve got a pretty good handle on, and have acquired some, socketry and screwdrivers from Japan — but I don’t yet have any of their better pliers. Trouble is, there are so many from which to choose!

From reading through this thread, it would seem that the top pliers makers in Japan are (in no particular order):
Keiba
3 Peaks
Fujiya
Merry

If you think there are any others who are in the upper tier, please feel free to comment.

Now, what I’d like to know is: what single item should I get from each of these makers if I want an example of their best work?

A quick reply as I get ready to start my day, with a few things from a nearby tool cabinet. Don't have time to check my info, so other people here might be able to give more accurate details.

From left to right.
Victor makes nice pliers and cutters. I believe their High-Grade series is their premium product.
Keiba's High Grade or Gunmetal series is their top of the line, unless you include their Alutool series, which are way more expensive.
KTC makes really nice slip joint pliers, as previously mentioned.
I like these little Hozan cutters, but don't know much about the rest of their product line.

edit: I have the IPS long reach pliers mentioned in the post before mine. Not in the same league as my Knipex long reach, so I would consider them a mid-range product. But they, like many Japanese mid-tier tools, give you a pretty unbeatable bang for your buck.

 

[tanukiboy]

Tsunoda/TTC/King also makes some very nice pliers and diagonal cutters.

 

[wafrederick]

Koken does get some money from Snap On.The wobble plus extensions and fuel line sockets,Snap On pays Koken to use these designs since Koken was first for these and has a patent on them

 

[Negen]

Source ?

Koken does get some money from Snap On.The wobble plus extensions and fuel line sockets,Snap On pays Koken to use these designs since Koken was first for these and has a patent on them

Sent from my ONEPLUS A6013 using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[m6z]

Is there a good vendor to order Tone stuff from or are most of you guys ordering from Amazon Japan?

Anything unique or interesting I should order from Amazon.jp? Sub $20? I'm disappointed I didn't see those Toyota branded hammers. I don't need any Vessel drivers.

 

[m6z]

KTC vs Tone? In regards to wrenches.

 

[Dave455]

KTC vs Tone? In regards to wrenches.

KTC - No doubt.

KTC are very decent, and made in Japan for the most part. (Double check if you are buying ratcheting ones as these are often not).

Tone I consider mid range, a lot of their stuff is Taiwanese, but they don’t seem to be too up front about that!

From Amazon.jp I’d be getting pliers from Tsunoda, Keiba or Victor, and maybe screwdrivers from Vessel, especially the ball hex drivers and Torx drivers with the decent acetate handles that are not exported widely!

 

[wafrederick]

Source ?

Sent from my ONEPLUS A6013 using The Garage Journal mobile app

Youtube subscriber MrSubaru1987 whom is into Koken tools.He mentioned this in a live stream on CP The Tool Addict's channel.Got the information from Koken himself talking to them

 

[M6erfan]

KTC - No doubt.

KTC are very decent, and made in Japan for the most part. (Double check if you are buying ratcheting ones as these are often not).

Tone I consider mid range, a lot of their stuff is Taiwanese, but they don’t seem to be too up front about that!

...

Agreed.

I have the KTC MSR1A & MSR2A ratcheting wrenches and they are made in Taiwan (all their non ratcheting wrenches are made in Japan). KTC doesnt play games by putting "Japan" on their imported wrenches, which is honest of them. All that said, their ratcheting wrenches are very well made and finished with metal, not plastic selector levers, nice satin finish, and checkering on the beams for grip. Typical high level KTC quality.

 

[m6z]

Are these Lobtex adjustable wrenches made in Japan?

https://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/product/B000TGJQ3M/

Edit:

Any issues with Amazon Japan shipping partial orders? Some of the stuff I'm after is out of stock.

 

[Reed Prince]

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[Jack84]

Ko-Ken 1/2f to 3/4m adapter.


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[65k10]

Are these Lobtex adjustable wrenches made in Japan?

https://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/product/B000TGJQ3M/

I bought a UM46 back in July. It says "Made in Japan" on the package as well as being laser etched on the head of the wrench. It also has "Lobster Japan" forged into one side on the handle.

 

[BlitzcrankJapan]

Are these Lobtex adjustable wrenches made in Japan?

https://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/product/B000TGJQ3M/

http://www.lobtex.co.jp/english/products/tabid/153/pdid/E-UM/catid/82/Default.aspx
"・All of LOBTEX adjustable angle wrenches including the hybrid adjustable wrench are made in Japan, and can be reliably and safely used."

 

[Reed Prince]

I have a couple of TOP adjustables and bought a Lobtex recently. I had presumed that they would be of the same quality, but the TOP has smoother action and tighter tolerances. The Lobtex is a really nice tool, but it's sort of like comparing a Camry to a Lexus.

 

[General Geoff]

Just ordered a Koken 3769NWF-230 wobble-fix spinner handle. I looked for awhile and couldn't find any other manufacturer who makes such a thing with the wobble-fix head. I've been spoiled by using a 1/4" drive one from Grey Pneumatic and have encountered many times I wish I had one in 3/8", so, have I shall!

 

[Kasal]

a couple of sets of Vessel screwdrivers, the hex was only € 12.40 about $ 14.53 so I had to have them.

 

[GrantCee]

I decided that my first purchase in the Japanese pliers category should fill a noticeable gap in my toolbox: a decent large-ish diagonal cutter. I have Craftsman (which appear to be Wilde) and Channelock examples, neither of which I've ever been happy with (let alone impressed by.)

After watching some YouTube reviews, I decided to pick up the Fujiya 700N-200 diagonal cutters. They arrived yesterday, and I'm very impressed. Fit and finish are superb and put my US-made cutters to shame.

The reviews were not wrong; these cut with far less effort than either my Craftsman or Channelock cutters. In fact, these are the first cutters with which I've been able to cut through nails one-handed (I have small and not particularly muscular hands; I have to seek out S-sized gloves, for instance.)

They're a lot more expensive than their Channelock competitors, but they're also a much higher quality tool. Over the years I've learned that I never regret paying for quality in the long run, and I expect to be very happy with these as time goes on.

 

[Negen]

Pictures?

I decided that my first purchase in the Japanese pliers category should fill a noticeable gap in my toolbox: a decent large-ish diagonal cutter. I have Craftsman (which appear to be Wilde) and Channelock examples, neither of which I've ever been happy with (let alone impressed by.)

After watching some YouTube reviews, I decided to pick up the Fujiya 700N-200 diagonal cutters. They arrived yesterday, and I'm very impressed. Fit and finish are superb and put my US-made cutters to shame.

The reviews were not wrong; these cut with far less effort than either my Craftsman or Channelock cutters. In fact, these are the first cutters with which I've been able to cut through nails one-handed (I have small and not particularly muscular hands; I have to seek out S-sized gloves, for instance.)

They're a lot more expensive than their Channelock competitors, but they're also a much higher quality tool. Over the years I've learned that I never regret paying for quality in the long run, and I expect to be very happy with these as time goes on.

Sent from my ONEPLUS A6013 using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[GrantCee]

Pictures?

Ask and ye shall receive.

 

[Negen]

Thanks. Kieba are also making nice cutters and pliers. Glad you found something that you like .

The xlt channellocks are nice not sure which you had that you didn't like but not so important.

Ask and ye shall receive.

Sent from my ONEPLUS A6013 using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[m6z]

I'm impressed. It'll make a great inside box and my wife loves it.

I'll post more pictures once I get it loaded up how I want.


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[M6erfan]

I'm impressed.

Nice!

 

[FuzzyTiger]

Ask and ye shall receive.

I just ordered the black and gold version!

 

[mazdeuce]

I'm impressed. It'll make a great inside box and my wife loves it.

I'll post more pictures once I get it loaded up how I want.


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Looking forward to the pictures. I have the smaller boxes for tool storage but haven't been able to pull the trigger on the big box yet.

 

[Reed Prince]

My Imgur photos from the last page of this thread seemed to disappear, but maybe that was a temporary problem. Going to upload another pic and see what happens.

Seems fine now, but I'm never sure I'm not looking at a cached image. If anyone wants to let me know if they can't see the picture, it would be appreciated.

 

[pizza]

My Imgur photos from the last page of this thread seemed to disappear, but maybe that was a temporary problem. Going to upload another pic and see what happens.

Seems fine now, but I'm never sure I'm not looking at a cached image. If anyone wants to let me know if they can't see the picture, it would be appreciated.

hey reed,

i can see the image. but most others can't. lol

please read my writeup of the situation here: https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=465329

imgur has blacklisted GJ. using the method i describe, it's possible to make imgur work in GJ (very useful for seeing existing posts with imgur pics), but it only works for people who follow those steps.

so going forward, don't use imgur for pics in new posts.

also, you're right. you're looking at cached images. i explain that in that post and also link to how to force-refresh to fix this issue so you see what others see.

 

[Reed Prince]

so going forward, don't use imgur for pics in new posts.

Do you have any suggestions on what to use instead? Attached photos appear to be really compressed (no surprise).

 

[pizza]

Do you have any suggestions on what to use instead? Attached photos appear to be really compressed (no surprise).

not really.

the reality is there's no such thing as a free lunch. the only way to guarantee stuff is kept online is to pay for it.

imgur will die eventually. every free host will die or be gimped eventually. GJ will also die eventually. which will go first? idk, but at least pics hosted on GJ will probably persist as long as GJ exists. and if the pics are only used on GJ, i guess that's all you need.

but like you said, the quality isn't as good as imgur. and neither is the convenience (imo).

resource rot (links, images, etc) is by far one of the biggest obstacles to sharing knowledge online.

GJ appears to be pretty heavily monetized. i don't see many missed opportunities lol...
you could ask the admin for improvements in image hosting quality and convenience, but i don't know if that's a realistic ask.

 

[jptbay]

Do you have any suggestions on what to use instead? Attached photos appear to be really compressed (no surprise).

I use https://imgbb.com

 

[FuzzyTiger]

Clearly some tool company needs to sponsor image hosting on garage journal and then add a watermark on every image "Hosting provided by Tools Inc". Could be brilliant if not kind of hilarious marketing. Couldn't even talk about the competition on the biggest place to talk about such things without being reminded that Tools Inc exists... Of course they better have the products to back it up or they'll be a constant joke.

 

[mr.lemons]

My Imgur photos from the last page of this thread seemed to disappear, but maybe that was a temporary problem. Going to upload another pic and see what happens.

Vessel G-grip handles look a bit crazy. I've wanted to try one for a while, but don't really understand how they work. Do you use and like them?

Description from Vessel = 'The weight of the steel ball keeps the end cap in an optimum position for a grip.'

^ Does this mean they only work when held horizontally?

btw, I cannot see your pics. I have to quote you to see the link and then copy/paste.

These are G-grip for anyone not familiar.

 

[Reed Prince]

Vessel G-grip handles look a bit crazy. I've wanted to try one for a while, but don't really understand how they work. Do you use and like them?

I bought all four, but only use the 2 smallest sizes. The weighted end cap seems like a silly gimmick to me. If you push down on the cap with any force, it starts to rub against the body of the handle. My old Wiha Dynamic drivers, in comparison, have a cap that rotates smoothly even when you apply substantial pressure.

I like the 0 and 00 ones more than other Vessel options for this size screw, but would happily use ones with Wiha or (preferably) PB Swiss style handles. I've never come across any JIS precision screwdrivers that compare to either of those brands.

 

[FuzzyTiger]

****. AvE has done it again. Another video on Nepros stuff... So much for ever being able to order their stuff again

 

[jonshonda]

****. AvE has done it again. Another video on Nepros stuff... So much for ever being able to order their stuff again

Or maybe it becomes popular enough that a vendor setup up a good supply chain in the USA, and we can all get them more easily.

 

[FuzzyTiger]

Maybe. That would be nice but I don't think it's likely. The website is pretty convenient as is and Nepros is really only meant to be a boutique/niche product line. Unless the full KTC line started selling like crazy, it wouldn't make sense.

 

[Reed Prince]

Or maybe it becomes popular enough that a vendor setup up a good supply chain in the USA, and we can all get them more easily.

KTC has recently sent Nepros ratchets to other YouTube tool reviewers, so maybe they are in the process of increasing their presence in the US market.

 

[superautobacs]

Youtube subscriber MrSubaru1987 whom is into Koken tools.He mentioned this in a live stream on CP The Tool Addict's channel.Got the information from Koken himself talking to them

Used to be the case...until Ko-ken's patent period expired. That's why there's been so many wobble-fix aka. wobble-plus type extensions released into the market over the last decade.

Maybe. That would be nice but I don't think it's likely. The website is pretty convenient as is and Nepros is really only meant to be a boutique/niche product line. Unless the full KTC line started selling like crazy, it wouldn't make sense.

I disagree! ...unless you're talking about the limited edition stuff like the leather/wood/urushi clad tools.

KTC has recently sent Nepros ratchets to other YouTube tool reviewers, so maybe they are in the process of increasing their presence in the US market.

I wonder with all this new exposure, Nepros will adjust their pricing so that it's in line with Japanese pricing!

 

[pizza]

who knows what will happen. all i know is that in the short term, this exposure has negative consequences: you can't even buy the tools.

i wish AvE didn't make those videos. oh well. at least i have a lot of the nepros stuff i want already.

 

[superautobacs]

who knows what will happen. all i know is that in the short term, this exposure has negative consequences: you can't even buy the tools.

i wish AvE didn't make those videos. oh well. at least i have a lot of the nepros stuff i want already.

I'm assuming the shortage only relates to the ratchets?
I don't know what AvE's viewership is like, but I have a feeling that the demand might be a frivolous novelty thing....it makes for a cool stocking stuffer for the coming Christmas season.
Only time will tell.