German Satin
Well-known member
Anyone have any Britool Hallmark stuff (made in Taiwan)? If so what do you think of it?
Opinions on Britool Hallmark import/current stuff
- Thread starter German Satin
- Start date
Dave455
Well-known member
Sockets and accessories are (or were) average Taiwanese tools (perhaps even a bit below average these days, as some of the Taiwanese stuff can be quite good) at above average prices.
Calling it Britool is, quite frankly, an insult.
You can get the same quality for less money, or better quality for comparable money.
The screwdrivers seem to be (or at least were) French made Bost, with quite reasonable hard handles. They’re o.k. but not old Britool quality.
Edit - just had a look at the current range and the screwdrivers look subtly different from the French made ones. Wouldn’t be surprised if they are far east imports now.
Calling it Britool is, quite frankly, an insult.
You can get the same quality for less money, or better quality for comparable money.
The screwdrivers seem to be (or at least were) French made Bost, with quite reasonable hard handles. They’re o.k. but not old Britool quality.
Edit - just had a look at the current range and the screwdrivers look subtly different from the French made ones. Wouldn’t be surprised if they are far east imports now.
OP
German Satin
Well-known member
thanks dave455 for your input. i would agree that it's generally overpriced for what it is.
Dave455
Well-known member
I think it sells largely on the name, and I suspect that most buyers think they are getting British made tools, or maybe compare it to something like Snap On, so think they are getting a bargain without realising how cheaply they could get comparable tools.
I recently put together a “kit” of tools to keep on one of my vehicles. It’s amazing how little you need to spend if you shop around. I was buying European and Japanese made tools, even some U.S, for little more (and in some cases less) than the Taiwanese!
some of it okay for a sale/coupon price. stubby wrench set I have is pretty decent and a long ratcheting box end wrench set is decent and got with a coupon .
Just a case of picking what they do good when found at a good price.
Like most of these brands you can't trust whole range be good so research is a must , laser premier and toptul much same and in lot of instances exactly same tools branded and packaged slightly different ...
Just a case of picking what they do good when found at a good price.
Like most of these brands you can't trust whole range be good so research is a must , laser premier and toptul much same and in lot of instances exactly same tools branded and packaged slightly different ...
I just took a look through the primetool selection and thought the prices seemed quite reasonable. https://www.primetools.co.uk/?s=Hallmark+
I picked up a set of impact sockets and extensions in the black Friday sales. First impressions are good, decent selection, bit chunky, will see how they last.
My big concern is warranty and availability, can I get a socket replaced if I break one? Typically I buy Halfords, Sealey or Draper Expert for this reason, theyre all strong as hell, stand up to years of abuse and have a lifetime warranty
I picked up a set of impact sockets and extensions in the black Friday sales. First impressions are good, decent selection, bit chunky, will see how they last.
My big concern is warranty and availability, can I get a socket replaced if I break one? Typically I buy Halfords, Sealey or Draper Expert for this reason, theyre all strong as hell, stand up to years of abuse and have a lifetime warranty
OP
German Satin
Well-known member
people have unknowingly bought the new Hallmark stuff thinking its British made. easy mistake to make especially with the chrome ware which 'looks' very similar. i think i'm right in saying that Britool England ceased manufacturing in 2007. That said there seems to be quite alot of their Hallmark stuff still knocking about. all the stock must have been aquired by various retailers once the factory closed. nice you can still get some of the original stuff.
Dave455
Well-known member
The original British made Britool “Hallmark” tools were very high quality, but relatively short lived. The story I generally hear was that it was a premium range designed to be sold from their own trucks.
I own a lot of Britool, but have seen hardly any of these genuine “Hallmark” tools. None of the Hallmark stuff that you see around is “old stock”, it’s all new imported (unless you are very lucky).
Britool were bought out by Facom. I think it was Facom who decided to divest themselves of the truck sales part, so this business was sold, together with the rights to use the Britool Hallmark name. I don’t think there were many old stock tools sold with that deal. I’ve never seen them if there were!I think the purchasers started importing their own tools from the start.
Facom continued selling Britool branded tools for some time, but most of what I saw were basically Facom items with an inferior finish and Britool branding. I suspect that U.K. manufacturing ceased around that time.
The imported Britool Hallmark tools were sold in parallel, but none of the tools were British made as far as I know.
When Stanley bought out Facom they ditched even the rebranded Facom items, and lowered quality even more, branding these tools “Britool Expert” for the U.K. market (a crude attempt to wring the absolute last out of the name) and just “Expert” in the rest of the world.
Britool Hallmark continued to import their Taiwanese toot unaffected. This may be part of the reason Stanley finally ditched what had just become a brand.
I own a lot of Britool, but have seen hardly any of these genuine “Hallmark” tools. None of the Hallmark stuff that you see around is “old stock”, it’s all new imported (unless you are very lucky).
Britool were bought out by Facom. I think it was Facom who decided to divest themselves of the truck sales part, so this business was sold, together with the rights to use the Britool Hallmark name. I don’t think there were many old stock tools sold with that deal. I’ve never seen them if there were!I think the purchasers started importing their own tools from the start.
Facom continued selling Britool branded tools for some time, but most of what I saw were basically Facom items with an inferior finish and Britool branding. I suspect that U.K. manufacturing ceased around that time.
The imported Britool Hallmark tools were sold in parallel, but none of the tools were British made as far as I know.
When Stanley bought out Facom they ditched even the rebranded Facom items, and lowered quality even more, branding these tools “Britool Expert” for the U.K. market (a crude attempt to wring the absolute last out of the name) and just “Expert” in the rest of the world.
Britool Hallmark continued to import their Taiwanese toot unaffected. This may be part of the reason Stanley finally ditched what had just become a brand.
In 1980, the company moved to its Walsall Road, Cannock factory where it made a vast range of hand tools. It was decided to introduce a new range of hand tools specifically designed by Britool’s top engineers for the professional automotive aftermarket.
A great deal of thought and planning went into this new range. Given that all precious metals carry a hallmark, the decision was made to commission a hallmark that would be stamped into the chrome of each tool to assure the quality to the customer. This new range of products was sold via a network of franchised tool dealers.
In 1991, Britool was bought by the International group Facom, Europe’s largest hand tool manufacturer. With the backing of Facom’s strong developmental facilities and vast technical expertise, Britool was able to keep its position as the brand of choice for all areas of engineering; from aerospace to industry and also into the automotive sector.
In 2001, Britool Ltd changed its name to Hallmark Tools Limited and a new company was formed called Facom Group. This company was selling its satin finished products to the industrial sector and the Hallmark range continued to be sold into the professional automotive aftermarket.
In April of that year, the original Britool company, now renamed Hallmark Tools, was sold to TradeMarque Tools Ltd who retained ownership of the Hallmark range. The franchise was dissolved and the range has been sold by mobile independent dealers and selected ecommerce sellers ever since.
www.trademarquetools.co.uk
Still fair bit of original britool hallmark on eBay UK such as wrench sets and some drivers, all new old stock .
A great deal of thought and planning went into this new range. Given that all precious metals carry a hallmark, the decision was made to commission a hallmark that would be stamped into the chrome of each tool to assure the quality to the customer. This new range of products was sold via a network of franchised tool dealers.
In 1991, Britool was bought by the International group Facom, Europe’s largest hand tool manufacturer. With the backing of Facom’s strong developmental facilities and vast technical expertise, Britool was able to keep its position as the brand of choice for all areas of engineering; from aerospace to industry and also into the automotive sector.
In 2001, Britool Ltd changed its name to Hallmark Tools Limited and a new company was formed called Facom Group. This company was selling its satin finished products to the industrial sector and the Hallmark range continued to be sold into the professional automotive aftermarket.
In April of that year, the original Britool company, now renamed Hallmark Tools, was sold to TradeMarque Tools Ltd who retained ownership of the Hallmark range. The franchise was dissolved and the range has been sold by mobile independent dealers and selected ecommerce sellers ever since.
Britool History
Hardware & tools service · Automotive repair · Car parts & accessories
www.trademarquetools.co.uk
Still fair bit of original britool hallmark on eBay UK such as wrench sets and some drivers, all new old stock .
I don't care about warranty on basic low cost tools, my priority is liking the tool design and it being great to use, waranty can be a bonus but not a priority on lower value items and items that not likely fail easily as you can easily and more efficiently self warranty ...
My logic is if it has a lifetime warranty (halfords advance, draper expert, sealey premier), it probably will take some abuse. The other issue is wether I can replace sockets individually, having an odd socket in a set bugs me
Yeah single availability can be important factor .
Even with warranty from these brands you likely have differences with a warranty tool not matching old ones a decade plus down the line, and self warranty might allow you source a exact match old stock/used like new tool .
If i like the tool and price right I not concerned on warranty, some of the deal prices on the nicer taiwan sourced tools have been so low at times it a financial mistake not to buy it .
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Dave455
Well-known member
I’m not going to go through this bit by bit, but while technically correct, there is a lot of marketing spin here.In 1980, the company moved to its Walsall Road, Cannock factory where it made a vast range of hand tools. It was decided to introduce a new range of hand tools specifically designed by Britool’s top engineers for the professional automotive aftermarket.
A great deal of thought and planning went into this new range. Given that all precious metals carry a hallmark, the decision was made to commission a hallmark that would be stamped into the chrome of each tool to assure the quality to the customer. This new range of products was sold via a network of franchised tool dealers.
In 1991, Britool was bought by the International group Facom, Europe’s largest hand tool manufacturer. With the backing of Facom’s strong developmental facilities and vast technical expertise, Britool was able to keep its position as the brand of choice for all areas of engineering; from aerospace to industry and also into the automotive sector.
In 2001, Britool Ltd changed its name to Hallmark Tools Limited and a new company was formed called Facom Group. This company was selling its satin finished products to the industrial sector and the Hallmark range continued to be sold into the professional automotive aftermarket.
In April of that year, the original Britool company, now renamed Hallmark Tools, was sold to TradeMarque Tools Ltd who retained ownership of the Hallmark range. The franchise was dissolved and the range has been sold by mobile independent dealers and selected ecommerce sellers ever since.
Britool History
Hardware & tools service · Automotive repair · Car parts & accessories
Still fair bit of original britool hallmark on eBay UK such as wrench sets and some drivers, all new old stock .
What these five paragraphs neglect to mention, is that while the original (by which I mean British made) Britool Hallmark tools were high quality items, that’s not what TradeMarque Tools are currently selling, or indeed have ever been selling, as far as I can determine.
I bought some in early 2000’s and it was Taiwanese shite then. Looked like shite, felt like shite, and when I rang TradeMarque tools they admitted it was Taiwanese!
You say there is still a “fair bit” of original Britool Hallmark on ebay U.K. Assuming the word “original” to mean the British made tools, there isn’t!
What you will find are Taiwanese tools. None of it is “new old stock“. It’s “new imported from Taiwan” stock, which is something very different! Though after reading the marketing spin above, you might not realise.
The O.P. had it right in the first paragraph!
Buyer beware!
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I never said trademarque tools are selling british made, doubt they ever did as trademarque tools basically only bought the brand name not any factories or equipment .
I'll post links of original old stock britool, is not much available but still bits of stock surfacing .
Difference is night and day between the taiwan tools sold by trademarque tools and the british made lines.
Some of taiwan britool hallmark tools are a good buy though, ignoring it all is not wise ...
Dave455
Well-known member
Yes, undoubtedly!
If you want to see what the original British made Hallmark tools look like, have a look through the Britool thread in the Vintage Tools section. Some of the contributors own some and have supplied pictures. Much is identically styled to the regular Britool (of the time) but with a better finish. Some are new patterns.
I don’t think there was ever very much of the original British made Hallmark produced, and as far as I can tell there is none available now.
All you will find are the new tools imported from Taiwan.
If you see any original stuff, I’d be delighted to see a link!
some of this same as I acquired and saw back in 90's and very early 2000 when Britool franchise tool trucks still operating, I have a fair bit of it including limited edition marque of skill tool boxes that not particularly good quality but have nostalgic value to myself .
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Dave455
Well-known member
Fair enough!
Although I feel that TradeMarques marketing blub is very deceptive. If you don’t know the story you could easily think you are buying British tools of the original quality.
You are quite right, there would have been nothing being made for them to sell, although I think they might have operated from part of the original site.
I would generally love to see some links. The only British made Hallmark I have seen for sale sold for quite big money, and the few folks I know who own some are not selling!
Links in post #16
More can be found if hunt eBay relentlessly
As far as i'm aware they had no access to original tooling or any facilities, Some of the tools made in Taiwan did use tooling specifically for hallmark specced design (trademarque tools hallmark design) rather than usual pickings from taiwan oem catalogue, taiwan stubby hallmark wrenches good example of this and show some design resemblance to original England made hallmark wrenches .
Original England incomplete sets of stubby and long wrenches can be found new on eBay, you could probably build up an almost complete set if really desired it but they not greatest wrenches ever made unfortunately lol .
Some of the Twain made Hallmark ****. some of it isn't, some pricing has been silly cheap for some pretty well made taiwan tools if you know what you looking for .
More can be found if hunt eBay relentlessly
As far as i'm aware they had no access to original tooling or any facilities, Some of the tools made in Taiwan did use tooling specifically for hallmark specced design (trademarque tools hallmark design) rather than usual pickings from taiwan oem catalogue, taiwan stubby hallmark wrenches good example of this and show some design resemblance to original England made hallmark wrenches .
Original England incomplete sets of stubby and long wrenches can be found new on eBay, you could probably build up an almost complete set if really desired it but they not greatest wrenches ever made unfortunately lol .
Some of the Twain made Hallmark ****. some of it isn't, some pricing has been silly cheap for some pretty well made taiwan tools if you know what you looking for .
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I owned and professionally used fair bit of original BRITOOL England all bought in late 90's mainly .
Some of it quite nice but the chrome plating durability *****, always did a bit with britool unfortunately .
Personally I think some of the 70's and early 80's BRITOOL was actually better made and plated .
Some of it quite nice but the chrome plating durability *****, always did a bit with britool unfortunately .
Personally I think some of the 70's and early 80's BRITOOL was actually better made and plated .
Dave455
Well-known member
Interesting!
I had previously seen some Hallmark / Marque of Skill ratchets offered by Prime Tools that were obviously Taiwanese, so had disregarded these items
Most of the items linked appear to be identical to the last of the (allegedly British made) Britool, but with a better finish, so could well be?
The concerns I have, are firstly, that those very last tools (with the “serif” logo) were really not great quality. Certainly not as good as previous tools. I would agree with you 100% on “not the greatest wrenches ever made”!
There has been some discussion here as to whether they were British made at all? It has been suggested that the “England” without the “Made In” is significant. It may be. The few I had were not great.
I have dealt with Prime Tools before though, and they are very good. If they say something is Made in England, I have no doubt they believe this to be true.
Secondly though, much of the (definitely original) Hallmark that I have seen is different to this. I have used some of this, and it’s incredibly high quality. I can’t remember who posted pictures of his, I will have to look through the other thread, but some comparisons are worthwhile.
I’m now wondering if “Hallmark”, like most of the rest of the range, suffered a steady decline in quality over the years?
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Dave455
Well-known member
Yes, by the 90’s you were basically getting Facom, with a poorer finish. I have a 3/8 drive set bought at that time on a deal, and the extensions are identical in form to the Facom of the same era.
No, the finish isn’t great, though the very last of the British was dog rough too. My local tool shop (we still had them then) had some and returned it as unsaleable!
The late 70’s and 80’s vintage was much better. The nylon grips on some of the handles were never great, but sockets were fine, and I still have my original 80’s vintage ring spsnners in regular use.
The 60’s and early 70’s stuff was better still.
I was on the trucks in early to late mid 90's (90 to 96 roughly) and lot of the hallmark was only branded BRITOOL . lot of old timer brits moaned about it lol (most of what I bought was BRITOOL with england and part number seperate to main logo, on wrenches for example england and logo be on opposite side to the BRITOOL logo, at some point the england disappeared and you only had stamped BRITOOL logo and part number on tools)
It was not all rebranded Facom as it still using specific tooling/design of BRITOOL .
Lot of the industrial line tools transitioned to facom especially around time of facom group forming .
BRITOOL HALLMARK line did include tools from france, germany and spain .
I assume later you went into 90's the bigger changes happened .
Exactly how bad it got in early 2000's I do not know as not in the UK then so no idea what actually went on with tool source changes and how badly it declined from 2001 onwards to the bitter end of seeing old Britool franchise tool trucks dumped collecting dust in yards.
I think quality got bad mainly due to staffing issues and machinery quality decline along with facom group forming in 2001
We always said if chrome didn't hold up well it guaranteed made in England lol .
Best BRITOOL stuff I have is metric and A/F sockets I got gifted, no idea on exact era (guessing early 70's) but they proper decent material, broaching precision and durable finish .
Bulk of the Hallmark range after very early 90's probably was quite poor, Koken and Stahlwille was better options, Draper stuff made in germany or japan was better, I have a draper japan socket set that done over 3 decades pro service and chrome doing good and none broken so far .
Britool out of England (mainly walsall) is a right **** for chrome flaking and rust .
It was not all rebranded Facom as it still using specific tooling/design of BRITOOL .
Lot of the industrial line tools transitioned to facom especially around time of facom group forming .
BRITOOL HALLMARK line did include tools from france, germany and spain .
I assume later you went into 90's the bigger changes happened .
Exactly how bad it got in early 2000's I do not know as not in the UK then so no idea what actually went on with tool source changes and how badly it declined from 2001 onwards to the bitter end of seeing old Britool franchise tool trucks dumped collecting dust in yards.
I think quality got bad mainly due to staffing issues and machinery quality decline along with facom group forming in 2001
We always said if chrome didn't hold up well it guaranteed made in England lol .
Best BRITOOL stuff I have is metric and A/F sockets I got gifted, no idea on exact era (guessing early 70's) but they proper decent material, broaching precision and durable finish .
Bulk of the Hallmark range after very early 90's probably was quite poor, Koken and Stahlwille was better options, Draper stuff made in germany or japan was better, I have a draper japan socket set that done over 3 decades pro service and chrome doing good and none broken so far .
Britool out of England (mainly walsall) is a right **** for chrome flaking and rust .
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