Is the Den of Tools a shill?
- Thread starter CoThG
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jayemm
Well-known member
I have no idea. Reminds me of a guy with 10 thumbs and no clue about tools.
finn
Well-known member
Shill.
He’s been getting lazy lately, covering / shilling mostly HF and Amazon, and reading HD and Lowe’s ads.
I don’t think he’s touched a tool other than freebie samples Chinese tool companies have comped him in years.
He’s been getting lazy lately, covering / shilling mostly HF and Amazon, and reading HD and Lowe’s ads.
I don’t think he’s touched a tool other than freebie samples Chinese tool companies have comped him in years.
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RoninB4
Well-known member
-Don't know, never watched the vids. I seldom take advice from people trying to sell me things. A couple of free tools to someone with a website is cheaper than national media advertising. With reviews, magazine or internet, I always wonder "Who bought lunch that day?"
Maybe
I might watch any of these types on occasion, see what they have to offer then use my own brain, to decide anything about what they are or are not “shilling”.
It’s really not that hard. IMO
If it is indeed a “commercial” its no different than the 1 billion other ones I have been subjected to.
I might watch any of these types on occasion, see what they have to offer then use my own brain, to decide anything about what they are or are not “shilling”.
It’s really not that hard. IMO
If it is indeed a “commercial” its no different than the 1 billion other ones I have been subjected to.
d.mcfarland
Well-known member
Paid by Harbor Freight and it's obvious.
Can't stand watching his videos.
Can't stand watching his videos.
Could be that he’s not technically a shill in that he’s paid by HF to be biased. But the videos I watched weren’t reviews as much as agenda led commentaries. And I think his channel is popular so he may not need HF support. I’d say something similar about Project Farm. He’s got a bias (we all do) that effects his tests, his interpretation of his data.
To be honest, I watch a lot of tool reviews like everyone else. I’m looking to upgrade some of my carpentry tools. The format where someone buys a bunch of tools and comes up with some hokey tests are pretty worthless. To me, tools are complicated. Once purchased, I decide if I like them or not.
Example: what i don’t like about my Milwaukee tracksaw was never discussed in any review I watched or read. To my eyes as a user, it’s pretty obvious (lack of aftermarket blade compatibility).
My suggestion: skip den of tools and PF
To be honest, I watch a lot of tool reviews like everyone else. I’m looking to upgrade some of my carpentry tools. The format where someone buys a bunch of tools and comes up with some hokey tests are pretty worthless. To me, tools are complicated. Once purchased, I decide if I like them or not.
Example: what i don’t like about my Milwaukee tracksaw was never discussed in any review I watched or read. To my eyes as a user, it’s pretty obvious (lack of aftermarket blade compatibility).
My suggestion: skip den of tools and PF
From what I’ve seen of the guy he talks about nothing but sales from Lowe’s, Home Depot, Amazon and Harbor Freight. Never seen him actually review or use a tool.
Some of the stuff he shows from Amazon is some super cheap no name junk in my opinion.
Theres a channel I’ve seen called Ballinator who has a strange voice but from what I’ve seen doesn’t do all “tool reviews“ but does some history videos about a company which I kinda like. Unfortunately all the companies seem to no longer exist.
Some of the stuff he shows from Amazon is some super cheap no name junk in my opinion.
Theres a channel I’ve seen called Ballinator who has a strange voice but from what I’ve seen doesn’t do all “tool reviews“ but does some history videos about a company which I kinda like. Unfortunately all the companies seem to no longer exist.
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Steel_Rain
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- Apr 23, 2024
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- 1,404
Agreed. I like his channel, but he drinks old Milwaukee, a beer that makes me want to hate his guts.
I just clicked on his channel - first time on a long time. He's talking about a new welder line from HF, the "Berger" brand of what looks like the nice, but less expensive line of welders that abound, everywhere in cyberspace.
@325k subscribers, like it or not, he's a "player" in the internet tool world. Why wouldn't HF who is also now a major player in the tool world, not want to get in with him.
It's literally how Internet content commerce works.
Well, we are 1/4 the way through the 21st century.
@325k subscribers, like it or not, he's a "player" in the internet tool world. Why wouldn't HF who is also now a major player in the tool world, not want to get in with him.
It's literally how Internet content commerce works.
Well, we are 1/4 the way through the 21st century.
TheToolEnthusiast
Well-known member
He used to seem less “sponsored”. Now he is the definition of a shill.
It's probably a joke. He'll move on to PBR next but that's kinda a hipster beer at this point.
Agreed. I like his channel, but he drinks old Milwaukee, a beer that makes me want to hate his guts.
Makes sense, would not be surprised of that's mostly where everybody buys from, now days.
I've watched some.of his videos, mainly the history ones cause they interested me. But yeah he's odd tone of voice got to me & I can't watch him anymore. He surely doesn't talk like that in person... does he?
CHI_Tool&Die
Well-known member
You can usually tell if a guy is a shill or not depending on the number of negative or critical product reviews they have. Outside of Craftsman and Snap-on, he seems to have a ton of glowing reviews on everything else and he gets a lot of free stuff from those companies. So, IMHO he’s a shill. But he seems to be the dude that HF leaks stuff to prior to public release so he’s got that going for him if you’re into HF product launches.
Also what’s up with his absolute hatred of SBD (mainly Craftsman) and Snap-on? Dude launched into a completely unhinged rant on that Snap-on/Icon wrench comparison. And for someone that supposedly supports MiUSA, he certainly hates on the two largest US tool manufacturers in favor of foreign imports. Strange fellow.
Also what’s up with his absolute hatred of SBD (mainly Craftsman) and Snap-on? Dude launched into a completely unhinged rant on that Snap-on/Icon wrench comparison. And for someone that supposedly supports MiUSA, he certainly hates on the two largest US tool manufacturers in favor of foreign imports. Strange fellow.
neophyte
Well-known member
This subject has been mentioned and covered in the past on GJ, although it might have been a side topic in a thread on a different subject, and the thread might have gotten locked or purged.
The guy has also done videos specifically mentioning the claims and how he runs his youtube channel.
I don’t feel like spending the time trying to find the videos or threads on either subject.
From what I recall.
Den of Tools specifically hates Snap-On, and may have a distrust or worse for other tool truck franchise companies, because he knew at least one or more people who lost their life savings trying to tun a franchise, and he felt the franchise corporation screwed the person over.
There was a GJ member who had similar issues, although with a different tool truck franchise.
That is apparently one of the reasons Den of Tools focuses on lower cost tools, and Harbor Freight, since the lower cost and non-franchise business model help prevent the issues of tool debt or franchise costs.
As far as “shilling” tool brands. I believe he has said in one of his videos, that he will agree to review or bump tools to the front of the list for review for a fee, and that he is also willing to accept free tools, but that he will not alter his reviews based on the fees, other than reviewing the tools sooner, or bothering to actually review the tools.
This seems to be similar to how major “craft/hobby” magazines probably came up with criteria for the inclusion of tools or reviews back in the day, so he’s probably no worse than Fine Woodworking or whatever other magazine.
I don’t way h all his videos, usually just ones on specific tools I might be considering, although he might be a goid method of keeping up with new releases, even if you don’t trust his reviews.
The guy has also done videos specifically mentioning the claims and how he runs his youtube channel.
I don’t feel like spending the time trying to find the videos or threads on either subject.
From what I recall.
Den of Tools specifically hates Snap-On, and may have a distrust or worse for other tool truck franchise companies, because he knew at least one or more people who lost their life savings trying to tun a franchise, and he felt the franchise corporation screwed the person over.
There was a GJ member who had similar issues, although with a different tool truck franchise.
That is apparently one of the reasons Den of Tools focuses on lower cost tools, and Harbor Freight, since the lower cost and non-franchise business model help prevent the issues of tool debt or franchise costs.
As far as “shilling” tool brands. I believe he has said in one of his videos, that he will agree to review or bump tools to the front of the list for review for a fee, and that he is also willing to accept free tools, but that he will not alter his reviews based on the fees, other than reviewing the tools sooner, or bothering to actually review the tools.
This seems to be similar to how major “craft/hobby” magazines probably came up with criteria for the inclusion of tools or reviews back in the day, so he’s probably no worse than Fine Woodworking or whatever other magazine.
I don’t way h all his videos, usually just ones on specific tools I might be considering, although he might be a goid method of keeping up with new releases, even if you don’t trust his reviews.
Not hard to believe, he has made this part of his angle.
Detesting Snap On, make other competing (and sponsored) products more interesting.
He's not paid by HF (YT does require you to disclose that kind of thing), but does receive free stuff from them (and others) and states when he does. He's called out several companies when they've sent him free stuff that turned out to be ****, and he's pointedly lukewarm about a fair bit of HF stuff.
I can't recall seeing him push anything that is legit bad.
We should probably define the word "shill"
I can't recall seeing him push anything that is legit bad.
We should probably define the word "shill"
MovingAlong
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 17, 2013
- Messages
- 1,255
Are you repairing autos for money? I'm interested in how you do that.
Are you building houses for money? I'm interested in how you do that.
Are you just making videos to be a YouTuber? Not interested ...
Twisted Sid
Well-known member
Who gives a ****?
If you dont like his videos, dont watch them
If you dont like his videos, dont watch them
rooster59
Well-known member
Yes
PelicanPines
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Look... A squirrel... Move on from the door to door sales pitchforks
I had to look up the definition to make sure I was tracking:
an accomplice of a hawker, gambler, or swindler who acts as an enthusiastic customer to entice or encourage others.
If you had asked me, I would have said someone who expresses a particular view for money. But a shill is really worse than that. It's someone who seeks the illusion of being unbiased, but is really biased.
The internet is awash in this kind of ****. I'm with @MovingAlong. My patience/respect for social media influencers is below zero.
an accomplice of a hawker, gambler, or swindler who acts as an enthusiastic customer to entice or encourage others.
If you had asked me, I would have said someone who expresses a particular view for money. But a shill is really worse than that. It's someone who seeks the illusion of being unbiased, but is really biased.
The internet is awash in this kind of ****. I'm with @MovingAlong. My patience/respect for social media influencers is below zero.
d.mcfarland
Well-known member
I believe that Project Farm is VERY fair in that the tests are what they are and the results are what they are.
I agree with you that those tests don't always translate to real world use, but, I would say that they are relatively close and that's probably one of the closest tests videos you'll find other than Torque Test Channel because they only test one thing.
Impact wrenches
(recently) Jump Starters
Drills
Angle grinder
Ratcheting Wrenches
Ratchets
Adjustable wrenches
Locking Pliers
Saws
Leaf blowers
Cordless pistol blowers
Impact drivers
Allen bits
Air Hammers
Die Grinders
Cut off tools
Cordless screwdrivers
Combo wrenches
Flarenut wrenches
Universals
Extensions
Cordless ratchets
Socket adapters
Flashlights
Headlamps
Headlights
Lasers
Tasers
Horns
Oil Filter Wrenches
Wheel bearing press kits
Batteries
Loctite
Pliers
Impact Driver Adapters
Torque wrenches
Carabiners
(yes, I eventually just scrolled down the video list)
dnschmidt
Well-known member
The answer to the original question is YES.
Aaron_W
Well-known member
He tends to get info on new stuff and does seem to have an in with HF so I've mostly seen his videos when looking for info on HF tools.
I think it would be fair to call him a HF Fan Boy, but to me a shill only gives positive commentary. I've seen him trash some HF tools and he is pretty luke warm about others that he feels are not necessarily bad, but not a good value.
He was fairly harsh in his evaluation of one of the new Bauer cordless ratchets that they sent him last year.
I think it would be fair to call him a HF Fan Boy, but to me a shill only gives positive commentary. I've seen him trash some HF tools and he is pretty luke warm about others that he feels are not necessarily bad, but not a good value.
He was fairly harsh in his evaluation of one of the new Bauer cordless ratchets that they sent him last year.
Aaron_W
Well-known member
He seems kind of like The Company Guy only he focuses on tools and tool brands instead of retail and fast food businesses. The voice is peculiar, not sure if it is his real voice, computer generated or run through some sort of voice changer.
It sort of reminds me of those interviews with crime witnesses where they black out the features and mangle their voice to hide their true identity.
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
One of the great things about You Tube is choice. No one forces you to watch anything 
Andres26tnt
Well-known member
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- May 11, 2018
- Messages
- 994
He's a shill, also he gets paid via "HF product leaks". You know its weird you can get access to very good quality spy photos and tool brochures every new release.
I don't watch his channel anymore, he gets annoying. Also hate his rants on craftsman and Snap-on, so dramatic to even cry on a video.
I don't watch his channel anymore, he gets annoying. Also hate his rants on craftsman and Snap-on, so dramatic to even cry on a video.
