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I know I’ve been critical about some HF tools but Allan Schmidt deserves all the credit in the world for putting that business together himself, employing a lot of people, and selling affordable products that people enjoy using.

Good question. There’s no right answer to the original question because there’s no core component of being a DIYer. Is this for mechanic work? Carpentry? Masonry? Narrow down the task and we can come up with a list of core tools for the job. Assuming this is general carpentry, a DIYer’s power...

I had the same experience with the Irwin. If you’re using the pliers for severe duty, I’d get Knipex otherwise the HF are fine and nearly identical.

Very good points. I’m sure the Knipex designers knew about the Eifel design. The Eifel was a very popular parallel jaw pliers. I still use the Eifel often because the inline jaw design makes it easier to turn difficult fasteners rather than the Knipex’s offset design.

Eifel developed the pliers wrench.

You misread. I made the accusation of overthinking because the post I was responding to said anti-Knipex which implies some type of personal agenda. I could care less what tools someone likes or doesn’t like.

Way too much time overthinking things?

Some people do, but it’s a little rarer than the discussion would have you think. Some people like knowing that they can get money back for their tools. Really depends on the person. In the proper context, tools are an investment insofar as they help you get your job more efficiently. Not so...

These are all very good points. There’s nothing wrong with budget tools, just like there’s nothing wrong with premium tools. Whatever works for someone’s budget and application is the best tool for the job.

Really depends on the particular application and type of use they get. But here’s a general idea, for a few different categories: Striking tools: Estwing. The waffle hammers will wear out and you can wreck one using it to bust up concrete, but aside from that, their tools are practically...

That’s the point a number of us have been trying to share with you. We all have different experiences with tools. I’ve bought my share of HF tools. Some have been pretty good and others just can’t stand up to more extreme environments as well. And that’s ok. Believe you me, if I could get away...

We get it, Zendriver likes Harbor Freight. Good for him. Nobody is telling him not to buy it. What Zendriver doesn’t seem to get is that this is a tool forum for people who like all sorts of tools. Some tools are made to a higher price/point than others like HF budget tools. They’re not status...

Most distributors are online.

You clearly understand the point. Tools are used to make money. Whatever tools are the best at making money most efficiently are by definition the best tools for the job. Sometimes it’s a “cheap” tool. Sometimes it isn’t.

What a few of these posters are missing is that this is a Garage Journal message board which encompasses people who are interested in garages, tools, cars, etc. It's not an accountant forum. The same people jump to the defense of Harbor Freight so quickly it makes me think HF is astroturfing...

No kidding! Who would have guessed that a tool forum discussion people's opinions and experiences with various products would be mostly opinions? I never would have guessed. I've owned all of these major brands over the years, including the Icon. I've had an Icon replaced twice. For my work, it...

No, you can’t. Most things that can be done with power tools can be done with hand tools. It’s amazing what can be accomplished with simple hand tools. I’ve always saw a value, maybe even pride, in getting by with the fewest tools, the simplest methods. Not kidding, I still prefer using really...

A lot of weekend warriors really exaggerate the situation here. There’s nothing wrong with buying cheap tools if that’s what a person wants to spend. Nothing wrong with buying higher end tools either. What they don’t seem to get is that the higher end tool is often worth it for day in and day...

LOL. Good for Snap-On. Good American company that employs people all over the globe. They own Bahco tools, too.

Here, I’ll put it back on topic: Snap-On makes some of the finest hand tools in the world. Harbor Freight makes lower to mid grade budget priced tools that are serviceable in many applications for DIYers or beginning mechanics that don’t have a lot of money to spend on tools. They are not...