First sign of the G2 Icon ratchets ….
- Thread starter Hakeem
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Seen the G2’s for first time today. They feel nice !
They went out onto the shelves about a week ago at the store I frequent. I picked up the 1/2" long non-flex head about a week before that.
But I'm waiting on the others until there is an applicable coupon or discount. I'd like to buy the 1/4" and 3/8" locking flex head.
Probably no coupon on them until Xmas ?
Who knows. I doubt there will be a coupon specifically for the G2 ratchets, but there will be something that could be used on them. Most of the general coupons these days don't have brand restrictions.
We'll just have to wait and see what happens with certain things going on, but we have the entire year of holidays coming up. Memorial Day is coming up followed by July 4th.
Tchicken
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They are out here locally - since I'd read all the talk in this thread I went and looked. Our prices aren't as good as another poster's photo above, but I did take one down (locking flex head 1/4") to get a feel. Despite the price tag it looks very low budget, the "lock" for the flex seems to be made of plastic, and not particularly well fitted. I never felt the need for a locking flex (hell I seldom use a flex) but if that G2 is representative of that type of tool I'll pass.
Huh? The lock is metal
You must have taken a pretty hard look at it... 
(it's completely metal, other than the comfort grip if you get one of those)
I ran my 3/8" and 1/4" G2 through the paces a couple weeks ago while doing the suspension on the family Volvo, and they worked great. My only gripe is I'd like to see a 3.8" version with a 9" handle - 14" make it too long to be a primary for me. I'd just used the rebuild kit Matco sent me to fix my balky locking switch, and it only sorta worked, it's still stiffer than the brand-new-at-the-time Icon G2 (which is also a little stiff), but guessing/hoping they'll both break in a bit.
I liked the comfort grips more than I expected - they "disappear" more than the Matco handle (which is kinda bulbous...), and clean up better than the old ones
I used my 2 1/4 g2 a bunch this weekend and they worked great. Really good actually. Keep in mind one has a 1/4 snap on anvil and the other has a 3/8 snap on compact. I really like both a lot. Was working on some bikes and these are perfect for that.
Steel_Rain
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The next wave of Icon G2 Ratchets showed up on the HF website today:
Steel_Rain
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51dueller
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Would this be the first 90 tooth 3/4 drive ratchet? Snapon has their 80 tooth, Facom and some Taiwan made are 72 tooth.
The next wave of Icon G2 Ratchets showed up on the HF website today:
Steel_Rain
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Per the HFT YouTube channel, they have "15 more" coming by "Summer" 2026:
Taiwan still ?
Steel_Rain
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Yes, for these at least. The other 3 models were in the back (along with these) so I didn't check them. It took them awhile to dig them out.
Cool. Oddly enough doesn’t display on my app in the new tools section.
Steel_Rain
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Yea, normally the app is a day or two behind in my experience.
Used your links and was able to see. Still out of stock at my store. Probably good thing. I have too many ratchets, need to resist urge
Bigblue&Goldie
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HF keeps coming out with every ratchet in their G2 line, except for the ones I want:
Extra Long Locking Flex 1/4"
Extra Long Locking Flex 3/8"
Extra Long Locking Flex 1/4"
Extra Long Locking Flex 3/8"
What are you taking from the photos?
Inferior copies of the real thing. Like the old saying... "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery"
Can you actually make out what these look like from all the way up there?
Up where?
Kurt4440
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He is probably telling you to get off your high horse. Repeatedly telling people they are poor because they don't agree with your tool purchasing choices may be construed as arrogant.
Bigblue&Goldie
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I know you have a thing for Snap On ratchets lately, but to a lot of us these days the Icon lineup is appealing. Moving beyond the obvious price differential, the performance differential is hardly anything to write home about (especially the new 100t). What's most appealing to me is the locking flex mechanism (obvious copy of the Matco/Armstrong design) combined with a head that is similar in proportion, backdrag, and tooth count as the Dual 80. I own at least a dozen Dual 80's and a couple of 100t rotary heads, and the ratchets I go to the most are the Armstrong 88 locking flex. I like the Dual 80 mechanism better than the 88, but locking flex is the feature that makes me reach for them over the Snap On. If the Icon has a little more drag than my Dual 80's, it won't matter to me in the slightest. Being able to get a "hybrid" of my 2 favorite ratchets is appealing......especially at a fraction of the price. At the end of the day, I don't own any Icon G1 or G2 ratchets, but if they come out with some that fill the "holes" in my ratchet drawer, I'll be buying them. I'm not a "collector", so my tools are a hodge podge of what I perceive to be the best value for my money (probably 25+ different brands).
Cruzan80
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It is just because they don't make an Icon hard handle in Orange yet ...
shoggoth80
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Seattle at least has the 1/4" stubby. Had to ask for it. Not even out on the shelf yet. It'll just have to make peace with the Snappy 3/8 stubby
My G2 sample size is up to two. I would like to add the long 3/8 and 1/2 if I can catch them on sale. I've said it more than once... Nothing Icon has been disappointing yet.
I'm curious how much the new 3/4 will take. The 3/8 performed well on TTC.
My G2 sample size is up to two. I would like to add the long 3/8 and 1/2 if I can catch them on sale. I've said it more than once... Nothing Icon has been disappointing yet.
I'm curious how much the new 3/4 will take. The 3/8 performed well on TTC.
Steel_Rain
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More pics and size comparisons:
You guys sound like the Anderson fanbois on Arfcom whining that their Poverty Pony is "just as good as" a Colt.He is probably telling you to get off your high horse. Repeatedly telling people they are poor because they don't agree with your tool purchasing choices may be construed as arrogant.
That's just silly.
I don't have the just-released ones (not as much use for 1/4"), but I have and use 3/8" SO, Icon (G1 and G2), Matco, USA SK and Ko-ken ratchets. The only one that stands clearly above the others when you're actually using them is the Ko-ken for it's crazy-smooth and essentially backdrag-free mechanism. Below that is the SO and Icon G1 - these get the most use from me and they are as close to the same as I can imagine. I have several examples from both and if my eyes are closed I wouldn't be able to tell you which is which if the handles weren't slightly different (though I could probably pick out my newest SO as it's a bit buzzy compared to its older bros). I could definitely do that with the Ko-ken (easy), Matco and SK. Those last two are good, but have similar flaws, but pretty sure I could tell from feel. But whatever else the Icon ratchet is, it's not inferior in use, and I bet you wouldn't be able to tell either.
I have a 14" Icon G2 flex-head (3/8") that I don't have enough use with to put in this mix. It's different for sure, but I can't say where it will wind up yet. I'd really like to have something closer to 8" or 9" 3/8" in the G2. I really want to love my Matco88, but even the locking flex head warranty replacement isn't as butter-smooth as the very-similar Icon G2 mechanism, the ratcheting mechanism itself is only fine compared to the feel of the SO and Icon (Dual-80 and 90-tooth).
KnurledNut
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I'd be all over that stubby in a bit ratchet version.
CHI_Tool&Die
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This illustrates that ratchet preference is the most personal tool connection. I hated the way my Koken ratchets felt both in feel and in operation. Likewise I personally think Icon G1 and G2 **** and cannot understand the love they get. Same for Snap-on. Yes they are very well built ratchets but I don’t like them. Give me a Matco Eighty8 or the Proto/Facom round head ratchets. Those are, in my eyes, the best. But to most dudes here, that’s not the case and that is cool beans. Everyone has their own tastes.
I guess my point was, you’ve got criteria no one outside of this thread is talking about. You’re saying it like your preference is a subjective personal preference, but from reading your many posts I don’t believe that. I suspect there’s something about the ratchets you prefer that all of us should be considering.
I'm 100% fine with all of that. Everyone should buy and use what they like, and I respect that. Even if someone said "I love the Sunex ratchets" (which are objectively-bad self-reversing backdrag nightmare garbage IMHO, but they have a very comfy handle), I'd disagree but be fine with what works for them. It's when people look at a photo online and make qualitative declarations (either way) that bugs me.
Steel_Rain
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Next wave of ICON G2 ratchets on the HFT site:
www.harborfreight.com
New Tools - Harbor Freight Tools
Explore our collection of new power tools, hand tools, air tools, tool storage, automotive equipment, generators, lawn and garden supplies, safety equipment, and more at Harbor Freight Tools.
Those are good looking ratchets, if I didn't already have several Snap-On ratchets I would give one a shot just for the hell of it. I'm not really much of a ratchet snob like some others, will still grab a SK roundhead sometimes. Also have a couple Carlyle that I really like.
Steel_Rain
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Damn. They dropped another four new ones this morning:
www.harborfreight.com
New Tools - Harbor Freight Tools
Explore our collection of new power tools, hand tools, air tools, tool storage, automotive equipment, generators, lawn and garden supplies, safety equipment, and more at Harbor Freight Tools.