I've used your discount code to buy a couple of sockets I was needing to complete one of my sets. Thanks!
Tools of Japan
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Steel_Rain
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Keiba FCC-119:
Steel_Rain
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Keiba MC-616 & MNC-A05:
Steel_Rain
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Keiba KMC-057 & KMC-037:
I'd like to buy a set of these to give to my electrician friend who is a Klein snob to try. He's very hard on tools.Keiba FCC-119:
Steel_Rain
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I'm also a Klein snob, but recognize the quality of Japanese made items. Compared to one of my USA made Klein's:
The savings in Amazon JP really require a significant build-up to pay off. If you only get 1 or 2 items, the shipping and tariffs will eat up your savings, and you went through the extra steps for no reason.
However, I currently have 28 items from AmazonJP in my blackship japan mailbox. Some of which I cannot even find for sale in the USA aside from ordering on eBay from Japanese sellers with pricey shipping.
However, I currently have 28 items from AmazonJP in my blackship japan mailbox. Some of which I cannot even find for sale in the USA aside from ordering on eBay from Japanese sellers with pricey shipping.
Hannahranga
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Finally used the wood composite screw drivers vessel makes in an oily scenario and was fairly impressed (tho the handles are a tad big for my personal preference) Noticed that they also make some ratchets with the same style handles, has any tried them? Was looking at a VESSEL HRH3-W
Steel_Rain
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I don’t have the 3/8” version, just the 1/4” drive set. It’s been great. Certain the ratchet is made in Taiwan but compo handle is made in Japan:
Hannahranga
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That stubby 1/4" handle is adorable. How's the ratchet feel wise?
Steel_Rain
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It's good, I used it for about a week at the end of last year for a generator refurb project and I'm happy with it. I wish Vessel would make more of the wood "compo" stuff in different sizes and applications.
Oh, and sorry for the terrible picture, I was running out the door when I saw your post. My work mat is covered in grease from a gear train rebuild right now.
Steel_Rain
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Agreed that works better for most people who are only buying Koken products. I buy many other tools other then Koken products from AJP though, so Koken is along for the ride and the cost savings makes sense in my application.
THIS. Many of the items I've purchased won't ship to the USA if you have a US based address. Since I have a Blackship address in Japan, I can get mostly anything, even items "restricted for sale in Japan only" imported without much drama. Yes, there is extra cost associated with Blackship, but getting items out of Japan, especially certain new tools, can be tricky otherwise.
Upstater57
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Hi guys,
A little Koken set I thought you would like to see. Sorry the pics are upside down. In my collection, I have snap on, mac, wera, stahlwille, SK, craftsman, proto, plomb, and many others. There are many of these brands that are equal to, but none are better than these tools.
A little Koken set I thought you would like to see. Sorry the pics are upside down. In my collection, I have snap on, mac, wera, stahlwille, SK, craftsman, proto, plomb, and many others. There are many of these brands that are equal to, but none are better than these tools.
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The problem with that is you end up buying stuff you don’t need just to make it more “worth” it.
Can you share what 28 items you’ve got waiting there? I need ideas lol
Steel_Rain
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That should be the motto of GJ.
Im going to talk too much because I am sitting here twiddling my thumbs supervising a machine for the next 90 min.
It has been a while since I did a shipment from Japan. Through 2024 & 2025 I got the stuff that I just had to have. I had a huge "saved for later" remaining, but nothing that really excited me. Then I stumbled into the scenario where I need something forwarded to me from Japan anyhow, so I am buying stuff I don't need just to make it more "worth" it.
Some of it is curiosities, some of it I wanted dupes, and some of it is going towards topping off a new workstation. I am into separating workspaces into dedicated roles. Divided areas make me require a lot of duplicate/similar items. 2 weeks ago I decided to start a 3D printing hobby, so I am building a workstation for assembling the junk I print and for maintaining the equipment. I already had a lot of what I needed sitting in my unemployed tools collection, but some of this stuff is going to finish off the kit.
Don't sleep on the Hozan pliers. I am a huge Knipex fan, but for medium to small pliers, I actually like the Hozan stuff better. I can say the finish quality meets or often exceeds Knipex. Though I cannot comment on metallurgy since my Hozan pliers are more geared towards precision stuff and I am not abusing them. I like the Hozan over any other Japanese pliers I have tried so far, but I have not tried 3peaks, because I think 3peaks is who makes the Hozan anyway.
Hozan; N-33, D-58, N25-125, P-33, N-31
Olfa; 10B
NT Cutter; Type-A 30 degree replacement blade pack
Tone; QA-02S
IPS; LGR-145DG
Hazet; 811BML (dont usually get Hazet from Japan, but the price was right)
KTC; D999THRB, D999TFRB, MR1A1719F, B3M-14, B3M-13
Koken; 2025Z.50T30 (refilling an empty position in a socket rail where this socket was taken off for a dedicated role)
Koken; 2010MZ.505 (^ same reason)
Koken; 3322AZ-75 (been trying to get this for a year and twice received a mislabeled Koken 16mm spark plug socket)
Koken; 2455AS-3/8 (going to a product assembly station to tight the same 1 nut on the same product every day)
Merry; ZA185 (nobody has more aggressive knurling than Merry pliers)
Lobtex; UWP175DNA, UM24SS-0
Top; HY-26S
PB Swiss; 1000.0-80, 1000.2-100, 1900.1-80 (each to finish a small PBS kit I was putting together)
Engineer; PZ-22
Vessel; GS5P-34
Now I am deciding which tiny ratchets to add since everyone else is getting a new tiny Icon ratchet this week, I feel I deserve another tiny ratchet for myself. Maybe KTC BR2S
EDIT: Just added/ordered to blackship:
KTC BR2S
IPS NWH-190D
Koken 3725ZSB
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Steel_Rain
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You buy!!! You buy!!!
Compared to the new Icon G2 1/4” stubby and the Icon meme tool bit ratchet:
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OK I will order it lmao. My only hangup was that its coming from a different warehouse than other stuff in cart, so there's another few bucks in receiving at Blackship But since its only $22 anyway, I wont let it get in the way.
How is it anyway? I was considering also getting the BR2FS-H.
But since its only $22 anyway, I wont let it get in the way.How is it anyway? I was considering also getting the BR2FS-H.
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I might order this special at IPS:
They have a "white day" special running the 13th through the 29th. 5000 yen ($31) and you get a combo plier, a water pump plier, and a mystery plier. It says they are also custom color/versions of the items for the special.
I already have an account setup here from when they released the mini slip joint needle nose and nobody else had them available yet. So this is just a few clicks away for me.
They have a "white day" special running the 13th through the 29th. 5000 yen ($31) and you get a combo plier, a water pump plier, and a mystery plier. It says they are also custom color/versions of the items for the special.
I already have an account setup here from when they released the mini slip joint needle nose and nobody else had them available yet. So this is just a few clicks away for me.
Lots of little items here and there but they sure add up. Thanks for sharing!Im going to talk too much because I am sitting here twiddling my thumbs supervising a machine for the next 90 min.
It has been a while since I did a shipment from Japan. Through 2024 & 2025 I got the stuff that I just had to have. I had a huge "saved for later" remaining, but nothing that really excited me. Then I stumbled into the scenario where I need something forwarded to me from Japan anyhow, so I am buying stuff I don't need just to make it more "worth" it.
Some of it is curiosities, some of it I wanted dupes, and some of it is going towards topping off a new workstation. I am into separating workspaces into dedicated roles. Divided areas make me require a lot of duplicate/similar items. 2 weeks ago I decided to start a 3D printing hobby, so I am building a workstation for assembling the junk I print and for maintaining the equipment. I already had a lot of what I needed sitting in my unemployed tools collection, but some of this stuff is going to finish off the kit.
Don't sleep on the Hozan pliers. I am a huge Knipex fan, but for medium to small pliers, I actually like the Hozan stuff better. I can say the finish quality meets or often exceeds Knipex. Though I cannot comment on metallurgy since my Hozan pliers are more geared towards precision stuff and I am not abusing them. I like the Hozan over any other Japanese pliers I have tried so far, but I have not tried 3peaks, because I think 3peaks is who makes the Hozan anyway.
Hozan; N-33, D-58, N25-125, P-33, N-31
Olfa; 10B
NT Cutter; Type-A 30 degree replacement blade pack
Tone; QA-02S
IPS; LGR-145DG
Hazet; 811BML (dont usually get Hazet from Japan, but the price was right)
KTC; D999THRB, D999TFRB, MR1A1719F, B3M-14, B3M-13
Koken; 2025Z.50T30 (refilling an empty position in a socket rail where this socket was taken off for a dedicated role)
Koken; 2010MZ.505 (^ same reason)
Koken; 3322AZ-75 (been trying to get this for a year and twice received a mislabeled Koken 16mm spark plug socket)
Koken; 2455AS-3/8 (going to a product assembly station to tight the same 1 nut on the same product every day)
Merry; ZA185 (nobody has more aggressive knurling than Merry pliers)
Lobtex; UWP175DNA, UM24SS-0
Top; HY-26S
PB Swiss; 1000.0-80, 1000.2-100, 1900.1-80 (each to finish a small PBS kit I was putting together)
Engineer; PZ-22
Vessel; GS5P-34
Now I am deciding which tiny ratchets to add since everyone else is getting a new tiny Icon ratchet this week, I feel I deserve another tiny ratchet for myself. Maybe KTC BR2S
EDIT: Just added/ordered to blackship:
KTC BR2S
IPS NWH-190D
Koken 3725ZSB
How did you (and others) choose between KTC’s MR1A and LMR1A doubles box and flex head ratcheting wrenches? Satin vs mirror finish?
The first I saw them was in here posted by Steel_Rain I am pretty sure. It looked perfect. When I found the LMR1A, the mirror finish on them just didnt have the same appeal to me. But they were much cheaper. I eventually found that if you remove the - from the part number when searching, you can get the MR1A shipped from AmazonJP instead of 3rd party, and the price was much more reasonable. I almost ordered other sizes, but I honestly just dont see myself using those tools often. I have a use in mind for the 17x19. The others I might get when I am feeling an itch and cannot find anything else I want.
cody1325
Well-known member
Keiba KMC-057 & KMC-037:
Having a 3D printer has kind of gotten me into being a flush cutter snob. I mostly buy Hakko or whatever the cheap one from Harbor Freight is, but those look to be made much better.
I am also half certain the bigger one would hold up to cutting excess off of zip ties as well.
Steel_Rain
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It’s a great 1/4” stubby. It has lower tooth count, but that does bother me. Fit and finish is top notch, normal KTC fare.
YesIHaveAHammer
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Doing my first one, I had plenty of a backlog of things I'd seen but previously thought would be unobtainable.
Mostly I learnt about tools and brands on this forum and "BZEUG" on YouTube, then explored other items from those brands on their own websites.
Upstater57
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I have limited experience with high quality Japanese tools. I posted my Koken 1/4 set a few days back. What are the absolute best brands of Japanese hand tools? Koken is a given, but other brands compare?
Appreciate the feedback.
Appreciate the feedback.
Upstater57
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Thank you.
I really like mine, nice size and feels good in the hand.
I trimmed the spring down to minimize backdrag to the point that finger pressure on the selector will make it freewheel. Very low backdrag now and easy to index to a fastener in tight spaces. I use it with a Koken 2756z 99% of the time, the diameter is just smaller than the head so it doesn't get in the way unless you need it.
rick carpenter
Well-known member
I made this Japanese style oilpot for my saws, per...
... (obviously lacking the rattan), front and center above them. Size is 3-3/4" x 1-1/8", oil is Mobil 1. Bamboo does not stain satisfactorily.
... (obviously lacking the rattan), front and center above them. Size is 3-3/4" x 1-1/8", oil is Mobil 1. Bamboo does not stain satisfactorily.
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rick carpenter
Well-known member
Anex and Vessel for bits, Vessel for screwdrivers. Tsunoda has a lot of good mechanic's hand tools for very reasonable prices. IPS/Igarashi has a lot of good pliers etc.
EDIT: Anex has dual-anvil bits that fit both Western and Japanese chucks. Sometimes they're described/labeled as "W-Groove" or similar. It's curious that they don't have a lot though. Also, Anex handles for the most part are excellent at holding bits via friction.
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I thought you guys would find this interesting, regarding importing this stuff from Japan.
I purged 17 items to have sent to me. Here is the breakdown of this shipment.
$189.29 in AmazonJP items
$73.38 in Blackship costs AND DHL fast shipping
$45.24 in Tariffs
Total $307.91
This means that in an order of this size, there is a cost multiplier of 1.63.
The order size context is a significant factor, because the shipping cost does not scale 1:1 with the order size. So the larger you go, the lower the multiplier will be. But with a shipment of this size, basically whatever price you see on Amazon, you take the price and multiply it by 1.63, and that is about what it will cost by the time its in your hand.
I purged 17 items to have sent to me. Here is the breakdown of this shipment.
$189.29 in AmazonJP items
$73.38 in Blackship costs AND DHL fast shipping
$45.24 in Tariffs
Total $307.91
This means that in an order of this size, there is a cost multiplier of 1.63.
The order size context is a significant factor, because the shipping cost does not scale 1:1 with the order size. So the larger you go, the lower the multiplier will be. But with a shipment of this size, basically whatever price you see on Amazon, you take the price and multiply it by 1.63, and that is about what it will cost by the time its in your hand.
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Really appreciate you sharing this datapoint. I haven't done an order from Japan since Tariffs went into place. Do you know how much your 17 items weighed? And did DHL collect additional brokerage fees upon delivery to you?
Steel_Rain
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Where to start...so many great Japanese brands.
Asahi
Eight
Fujiiya
IPS
Vessel
Keiba
Koken
KTC
Nepros
Tsunoda
Sunflag
Victor
Star-M
Ofna
What type of tools are you looking for? More then just socket sets?
The label said 2.0kg (4.4lb).
Yes DHL does charge brokerage. Of the $45.24 tariff invoice, $17.50 was DHL brokerage.
This invoice from them was not egregious enough for me to audit (and dispute if necessary). The brokerage departments at these shipping companies have a habit of pulling HS codes out of thin air or making up COO on their own... and whenever they do it, go figure, its always worst case scenario. I feel like that probably isn't happening on my BlackShip shipments because BlackShip probably thoroughly enters the details, leaving nothing for the brokers to make up on their own. Afterall, when configuring your shipments, you use their handy tool to assign HS codes and values (you just type keywords and it presents candidate HS codes to choose from, its pretty clever).
That’s not bad for a brokerage fee at all. I don’t know why i expected that to be higher.
But that also isn’t a very heavy shipment- a few larger wrenches and you’re already at 2kg.
It was a pretty light shipment. If you are into the details... I tend to go hard in the spreadsheets. I actually just noticed a little quirk I had wrong earlier and the multiplier is actually 1.67 on the shipment not 1.63.
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YesIHaveAHammer
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Seems like the general idea with Blackship might be that most people pays the $5 for priority.
Just requested my first consolidation and shipment, to Europe:
Just requested my first consolidation and shipment, to Europe:
- 10 small items, just under 2kg
- $125 goods value, including 10% Japan consumption tax
- $3 receiving fees (3)
- $9 consolidation fees (3)
- $5 priority service
- $45 shipping (they had untracked for $33, or seamail 60-90 days for $27)
- Total $187 (multiplier on goods value = 1.5)