Explain Hazet Ratchets to me...

[CGarage]

I think most items from Germany carry a premium price tag because of perception,

“Made in Germany” is the most globally respected brand identity as far as far as consumer perception is concerned.

That said, I favor “Made in Switzerland” to Germany, but Switzerland exports far less.

The Japanese do not produce junk and they should be at the top of this ‘brand value index’ as well.

 

[RAS61]

“Made in Germany” is the most globally respected brand identity as far as far as consumer perception is concerned.

That said, I favor “Made in Switzerland” to Germany, but Switzerland exports far less.

The Japanese do not produce junk and they should be at the top of this ‘brand value index’ as well.

I had a few Bosch power tools made in Switzerland that were great, but I think those days are long gone unfortunately

Concerning Japanese products, I'll take a Toyota over a VW and a Lexus over a Mercedes any day (have heard nothing but electrical nightmares about both German manufacturers). And concerning ratchets, I think a Nepros or Koken Z can hold it's own against the best of them, but they just don't have the cache or demand either

 

[CGarage]

I had a few Bosch power tools made in Switzerland that were great, but I think those days are long gone unfortunately

Concerning Japanese products, I'll take a Toyota over a VW and a Lexus over a Mercedes any day (have heard nothing but electrical nightmares about both German manufacturers). And concerning ratchets, I think a Nepros or Koken Z can hold it's own against the best of them, but they just don't have the cache or demand either

I agree with you. The Swiss make lots of stuff outside of tools that are superior. Kitchen utensils, watches (though the Germans beat the Swiss on watches these days), medical instruments, etc.......

The modern cars are so heavily electronics based that America and Europe do not hold a candle to the Japanese, the world leaders in Electronics. I agree with you, Toyota or Lexus if you want it modern and reliable.

As far as Japanese hand tools go, they have had the LEAST exposure in North America. A place that has hardly heard of Facom and Hazet will surely be decades behind as far as recognizing premium Japanese hand tool brands. When most Americans think of Japan, they think of sushi and anime and PlayStation.

And that is sad. Japanese make amazing tools and products that rival the best of Europe.

 

[silkman]

@RAS61
In my opinion as a DIYer, you need a good socket set as a base and by good I mean get the best quality possible for the money you are willing to spend. This doesnt mean get a set with biggest tool count but pay for quality, especially the ratchets that will be used for everything else. I got this Hazet 1/2" and 1/4" at a sale for 171eur, good named sets can be had for less than that on a sale, even a good used one for less than $100. Then build around it.

 

[DAustin]

Always wanted to pick up some Hazet for the collection. Where's the best place to buy in the states?

KC Tool

KC Tool | America's #1 German Tool Distributor - Wera, Knipex, Hazet

We believe that the best tools in the world are designed and manufactured in Germany. Find quality hand tools such as screwdrivers, pliers and insulated tools. Order catalogs and read customer reviews and our tool reviews and comparisons.

www.kctool.com

 

[Dave455]

I think most items from Germany carry a premium price tag because of perception, but in the end it's just simple supply and demand economics. Same for Snap-On, great tools (and service for pros), but overpriced in my book, but people gladly pay the prices. I buy Williams wrenches to get the quality and save some money, but I'm just a hobbyist that doesn't need the truck, and some will probably say they're still not as good as the SO version. In the end the free market ultimately determines the price of admission

I wouldn’t totally agree with the statement that German items have a high price tag because of perception.

For a start, and taking Hazet ratchets as an example, they are not that highly priced everywhere, and certainly not “premium”. Here are some recentish prices of Hazet and Snap On 1/2” ratchets where I am.

As can be seen, the Hazet is less than 1/3 the cost of the Snap On.

I appreciate that’s not the same everywhere (i.e. the U.S.) but the price asked is partly the cost of manufacturing in a first world country, partly the cost of shipping, and partly an allowance for currency fluctuations.

One way round this might be to buy directly from Germany, especially when currency fluctuations work in your favour.

 

[JeepYJ]

You can order from different Amazon sites and ship to the US on most items, example Amazon.de
I ordered some Stahlwille wrenches from there and had them in about 2 weeks. Also sometimes the US Amazon has good prices on Hazet and Stahlwille tools, better than the European sites.

 

[RAS61]

(As for) Snap-On, great tools (and service for pros), but overpriced in my book, but people gladly pay the prices.

I recently needed a flare nut wrench for a fuel line on a classic car. This is a specific situation, so no real need for a whole set. I initially focused on a used SO for one wrench since they're supposed to be the best, but the price of one used wrench on Ebay was troubling; for about $16-$20 for one wrench you got a beat up SO, but for less I got a mint SK that fits that nut like a glove. Hard for me to believe that a lot of the SO allure and corresponding price isn't just perception and market demand

 

[bsaint]

I love my Hazet wrenches. The satin feels good in the hands and seems to be more grippy when greasy

 

[CHI_Tool&Die]

*Thread Revival*

So I’ve been using my new Hazet 90 tooth 1/2 ratchet at work and I got to say it’s really sweet. I originally was iffy on the handle but the material is actually just soft enough that it remains comfortable if I’m holding it for awhile. I like that the handle isn’t squishy either so the oils and coolants can be wiped away without any issue. And the kind of ellipse shape of the handle fits my palm beautifully. There is zero play and it has remained so and I don’t have issues taking sockets off like some of my other ratchets. It’s holding up remarkably well, much better than any of my other German ratchets. My only complaint is that the lubricant is always leaking through any openings. I have no idea what that’s about but so far the ratchet still turns as good as the day I received it. I think for a $100, the ratchet is a steal.

 

[silkman]

*Thread Revival*

So I’ve been using my new Hazet 90 tooth 1/2 ratchet at work and I got to say it’s really sweet. I originally was iffy on the handle but the material is actually just soft enough that it remains comfortable if I’m holding it for awhile. I like that the handle isn’t squishy either so the oils and coolants can be wiped away without any issue. And the kind of ellipse shape of the handle fits my palm beautifully. There is zero play and it has remained so and I don’t have issues taking sockets off like some of my other ratchets. It’s holding up remarkably well, much better than any of my other German ratchets. My only complaint is that the lubricant is always leaking through any openings. I have no idea what that’s about but so far the ratchet still turns as good as the day I received it. I think for a $100, the ratchet is a steal.

Its a great ratchet. After work, you can just wipe it with a microfiber towel and all the oils and grime go away and its good as new. Re your complaint, all hazet tools are heavily oiled/greased from the factory. They use a special thin synthetic grease.

 

[Dave455]

*Thread Revival*

So I’ve been using my new Hazet 90 tooth 1/2 ratchet at work and I got to say it’s really sweet. I originally was iffy on the handle but the material is actually just soft enough that it remains comfortable if I’m holding it for awhile. I like that the handle isn’t squishy either so the oils and coolants can be wiped away without any issue. And the kind of ellipse shape of the handle fits my palm beautifully. There is zero play and it has remained so and I don’t have issues taking sockets off like some of my other ratchets. It’s holding up remarkably well, much better than any of my other German ratchets. My only complaint is that the lubricant is always leaking through any openings. I have no idea what that’s about but so far the ratchet still turns as good as the day I received it. I think for a $100, the ratchet is a steal.

Hazet have often made an effort on their “ergonomics”.

These hammers, for example, also have a rounded oblong shaped handle, rather than a plain round one. A more difficult shape to make in wood, but very nice to use.