Koken Reviews and Photos!

Alfajuj · Oct 25, 2012

I really think Koken are underrated. I've got a set of 3/8 drive metric deep and shallow 12 points. The tolerances are excellent. I've used it for years and there's little noticable wear. The finish has held up, too. No flaking. I can find no fault with their sockets and accessories.
They're not mirror polished, but so what?
All a manufacturer needs to do for mirror polishing is put things in a tumbler with ceramic beads for a long enough time. It's not impressive. A lot of made in China **** has a perfect mirror finish. Yawn...

Koken is a socket specialist and has a lot of really cool accessories and inventive designs. They have a lot of patents. Their catalog is very complete. They even make whitworth!
They make the absolute best sliding T handle ever. I love it. The bar is oval so it won't turn and theres a detent in the middle position so you can use it as a spinner.
I wouldn't hesitate to buy anything from Koken.
I'm looking to buy their set of 3/8 universal sockets in a case next.

ericg · Nov 23, 2012

I just purchased the low profile u joints from Frank's Tools in 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2". From all of my research, no other company makes any u joints this small. The quaiity of the tools is on par with Snap On. They are great for getting in to really tight spots. Frank's Tools has great prices and real fast delivery.
The part numbers are:
1/4" 2771
3/8" 3771
1/2" 4771

jk47 · Nov 26, 2012

Here's something for all the Koken fans...

marcone · Nov 26, 2012

Was considering Koken for my last tool purchase aswell (1/2 breaker bar, 1/4 extension, some deep sockets) but in the end went for a german manufacturer due to the fact that the yen is very strong curency right now and it takes quite a while for goods to get to Europe due to Japan sorcing and shippng time.
Maybe in the future

MellyVan · Nov 26, 2012

Where are you able to buy in Japan?

96snma · Nov 26, 2012

I was looking to order some and give them a try. Sorry if its been asked before but where do you order online in North America. Also is there a catalog

neonnblack · Nov 26, 2012

350 for a gold plated set, im in, lol.

jk47 · Nov 26, 2012

96snma said:
I was looking to order some and give them a try. Sorry if its been asked before but where do you order online in North America. Also is there a catalog

http://www.koken-tool.co.jp/en/product.html

Frankstools or Levelchrome

superautobacs · Nov 28, 2012

MellyVan said:
Where are you able to buy in Japan?

Where in Japan are you going to?

Here's a couple more to add for retailers: http://www.kokenusa.com/retailers

Gold-plated or titanium set.....hrmm....I think I'll stick with their titanium set.

...but the gold set will compliment well with PB Swiss' gold-plated lineup.

superautobacs · Jan 8, 2013

Ko-ken chrome socket comparison.

The small socket is a 10mm Zeal

mercucho · Jan 15, 2013

I just received directly from Japan this Koken 3201AMW box.

I am pleasantly impressed with the quality and finish of these tools. We'll see if using continue maintaining this apparent quality.

And now a few pictures of these wonders:

Box contents:

superautobacs · Jan 15, 2013

Great stuff and nice pictures. :thumbup:

Based on the date codes on the sockets, they are recent production (2012).

I'm sure they'll get together very well with your Hazet tools. Hazet used to (still is?) purchase Ko-ken's impact driver for their lineup.

mercucho · Jan 16, 2013

I honestly believe that Koken is not inferior to Hazet.

steelespeed · Jan 17, 2013

Very nice. I have a few old Koken sockets and the fit and finish is excellent.

Hawk321 · Mar 2, 2013

As I bought all my snapon stuff I was pretty upset because I had no shop here who sells Ko-Ken...

Today it's different...Ko-Ken is the first Premium brand who sells real sets with more than 2 extensions...

Meanwhile I worked with a couple of Ko-Ken tools...And what should I say...NO difference to snap on.
Best thing is the price!!!

And a produce "made in japan" speaks for itself....means...no slavery like in china.

Dave455 · Apr 14, 2013

Thought I'd restore this thread and add my tuppence worth!

I've got quite a few Ko Ken tools now, and I have to say I'm pretty impressed!

For those unfamiliar with the company, they primarily make socket wrenches and accessories, together with a few specialist automotive tools, but little else. The good news is that I understand everything is made 'in house' at their factory in Japan.

The quality is very high. The tools feel good, the steel quality and heat treatment seems excellent, and the standard of finish is awesome. Most importantly, they are very consistent. Every Ko Ken item I've received has been flawless, and my dealer reckons returns are unknown!

Their real strength is the size of their range. In 3/8 drive alone they offer metric sockets in shallow, semi deep, deep and extra deep, then in 6 or 12 point, plus universals, deep universals, specials such as 'nut grip' or 'surface drive' then you start on inch sizes. By the time you get to Whitworth (yes Whitworth!) you can still choose 6 or 12 point and they are the only manufacturer currently offering deep Whitworth. Ditto for impact sockets, ditto again for all the other drive sizes!

Now I'm not saying they are in the same league as Snap On, and only time will tell with regard to durability, but they are very close, and in the U.K. close to half the price too! Most importantly, they seem to be looking to ever improve their quality, rather than just outsource in the mistaken belief that the customer wants a cheaper product.

I also sense that at the top of the firm is a person, who is an enthusiast, rather than a group of "managers" who couldn't manage a whelk stall between 'em! If you want an 'extended T handle' with a rotating grip (last offered by Blackhawk in about 1955 I think!) they make one; a ratcheting speeder (discontinued by Snap On) no problem; a round head ratchet with a swivel handle, choose from three styles of handle!

Finally, they offer the best stud extractor, and the best (i.e. toughest) impact driver I have ever used! I realise that not everybody will be happy buying from Japan, and based on the tools that made it to the U.K. in the 70's neither would I, but times change, and I'd rather buy from a foreign company that understands my needs and seems to value my business, than a British one that just wants to put their name on some old **** but still charge me top dollar!!!

2oolhound · Apr 14, 2013

I see an ebay store selling a set of 7 - 3/8 dr whitworth swivel sockets for $260. That's about $40 per socket and it seems high compared to their other offerings. I don't see them in the catalog but then it's a 2011 catalog on line. Anyone anything more about these sockets? I'm wondering how that price compares to their metric or sae swivel sockets or if you pay a premium for whitworth.

N.I. · Apr 14, 2013

2oolhound said:
I see an ebay store selling a set of 7 - 3/8 dr whitworth swivel sockets for $260. That's about $40 per socket and it seems high compared to their other offerings. I don't see them in the catalog but then it's a 2011 catalog on line. Anyone anything more about these sockets? I'm wondering how that price compares to their metric or sae swivel sockets or if you pay a premium for whitworth.

There are 8 piece sets on uk ebay for £39 + P&P

Edit: Sorry they are not swivel

superautobacs · May 10, 2013

Nice write-up, Dave. They really are a unique company in that their primary specialty has always been socketry items. AFAIK, no other company in the world exists today that is like Ko-ken.

I recently acquired a couple items from Level Chrome (my first purchase experience with them). The clearance pricing was too hard to resist.
Here they are:

They are 1/2" drive:
450mm long for the ratchet
600mm long for the break over

Dave455 · May 11, 2013

superautobacs said:
Nice write-up, Dave. They really are a unique company in that their primary specialty has always been socketry items. AFAIK, no other company in the world exists today that is like Ko-ken.

I recently acquired a couple items from Level Chrome (my first purchase experience with them). The clearance pricing was too hard to resist.
Here they are:

They are 1/2" drive:
450mm long for the ratchet
600mm long for the break over

Nice stuff! (Nice pictures too!)

I like the way Ko Ken offer a good range of breaker bars. I think they are one of the few firms to offer a 3/8 drive breaker bar longer than 12 inch!

Never found any of it at 'clearance pricing' in the U.K I'm sad to say, but the regular pricing is fairly competitive and I don't mind paying it!

submariner · Sep 25, 2013

I want to buy the full range of Koken 3/8" drive hex sockets (from 3 to 14mm). Besides Snap On, I know of no other maker that makes them in 3/8" drive 14 mm size, please correct me if I'm wrong! I also want to buy the full range of Koken 3/8" drive torx sockets.

Other than Rakuten, are there any online store that's based in Japan that ship to Australia? Not interested in USA/EU stores due to high shipping cost.

Alfajuj · Sep 25, 2013

Err,..I think you mean 1/4" drive, don't you?

submariner · Sep 25, 2013

Alfajuj said:
Err,..I think you mean 1/4" drive, don't you?

Are you talking to me? I'm looking for 3/8" drive hex sockets: http://www.kokenusa.com/products/model/139

Can you help me out?

Alfajuj · Sep 25, 2013

Oh, I see. I thought you meant ordinary sockets.

Yes, I have looked and the only source online for buying Ko-ken direct from Japan that I could find was Rakuten.
I don't know how the prices or shipping are. Anytime you buy internationally you often get raped by the shipping and import duties.
Are the prices from the Australian Ko-ken distributor unreasonably high?

superautobacs · Oct 6, 2013

Submariner,

Have you tried Frankstools yet? He's based in Japan and can ship worldwide.

_gear2 · Feb 1, 2014

Alfajuj said:
Are the prices from the Australian Ko-ken distributor unreasonably high?

Buying Ko-Ken locally in Australia is nothing short of a joke - the price mark up is
exorbitant and the local distributor unresponsive. (That being said the NZ distributor is fantastic but wont ship to Aus)

Submariner - Ive found the cheapest way to by Ko-Ken is either from Rakuten or from Level Chrome - just try to do a big order all in one hit (if you go over 5kg and can wait - sea shipping is cheap)

submariner · Feb 2, 2014

Just received my Ko-ken 3/8" drive hex and torx sockets from a Rakuten Japan seller. I bought it because Ko-ken has the most complete 3/8" drive bit sockets (I can't stand missing sizes) which includes the mythical T35.

gunsmith · Feb 7, 2014

@submariner- I have Koken 2013 catalogue and there is no T35 socket bit in it!

superautobacs · Feb 8, 2014

Where does one find an application for a T-35?

Gunsmith,

They have many items that are not listed in their catalogue. I heard that those items are unlisted because there are market specific tools ie. European market.

part # are:

3/8" drive: 3025-50-T35 (only offered in 50mm long)
1/2" drive: 4025-60-T35 (only offered in 60mm long)

submariner · Feb 8, 2014

gunsmith said:
@submariner- I have Koken 2013 catalogue and there is no T35 socket bit in it!

I double checked and it's certainly listed in their 2013 English catalogue (page 54, centre of page) under part number 3025-50-T35. It's easier if you use the Find feature in PDF and search for it.

Download the catalogue from here: http://www.koken-tool.co.jp/catalog/KOKEN_201308ENSP.pdf (70MB)

It's widely available on Rakuten Japan.

General Geoff · Mar 5, 2014

Bump for wobble plus extensions!

Once I have a job to use them for, I'll unwrap and take more detailed photos.

Deskmechanic · Mar 5, 2014

General Geoff said:
Bump for wobble plus extensions!

Once I have a job to use them for, I'll unwrap and take more detailed photos.

I use mine all the time. Don't have a full set of either size but they are very handy. I love the knurling at the drive end.

Rico. · Mar 5, 2014

submariner said:
Just received my Ko-ken 3/8" drive hex and torx sockets from a Rakuten Japan seller. I bought it because Ko-ken has the most complete 3/8" drive bit sockets (I can't stand missing sizes) which includes the mythical T35.

I hate to be that guy, but that set is missing the T47

:sad:

Monte · Mar 6, 2014

Rico. said:
I hate to be that guy, but that set is missing the T47

is it actually a regular size ?

Rico. · Mar 6, 2014

Monte said:
is it actually a regular size ?

Hey Monte, How are you doing..?

The best answer is it's sort of a regular size but some manufacturers make the T47
with more of a Torx Plus profile which I believe is the correct way to make them, and
some don't.... My T47 socket is just a regular torx profile.

T35 and T47 are probably the least used Torx sizes, by a long way, but they do
exist because there are fasteners out there that use them. I think some manufacturers
use them on seatbelt mounts and door striker plates for reasons known only to them.
Most likey to disuade Joe Car Owner from fiddling with them.

Dandoni · Aug 26, 2015

Hey guys,

Lovin the Koken stuff.

Submariner, what was the shipping like from Rakuten to Perth?

You probably already know but Toolmart deals in Koken and there prices aren't too shabby. They don't offer the whole catalogue though and none of the Zeal . Belmont is the only store that has a little bit of stock of the standard stuff they might sell. Its just not that popular here.

Dan

2ndGearRubber · Jan 6, 2016

Does anyone have pictures comparing the size (height mainly) of Koken Zeal 1/4 drive sockets, vs another "known" company?

I'm looking for a comparison in height vs. snap-on, matco, GW, bluepoint, etc.

Kamanhart · Jan 6, 2016

Got the 16mm swivel spark plug socket with the brass retainer clips. The crime is phenomenal and the swivel is perfect, it moves very fluid but is tight enough it doesn't free travel. Main reason I bought it was spark plugs on late model hemis. It turned a 2 hour process with lots f swearing and extension changing to a very enjoyable quick project. The grip on the plugs is the perfect balance of being secured vs lose enough the socket just glides off the plug. All and all if I lost this piece I would order another one tomorrow with out hesitation or a second thought.

Qualitytools · Jan 6, 2016

I purchased a set of 3/8 Zeal and a swivel and I love them. The quality and finish are outstanding and I love how the tolerance is very exact on the Zeals.

dede2897234 · Jan 6, 2016

2ndGearRubber said:
Does anyone have pictures comparing the size (height mainly) of Koken Zeal 1/4 drive sockets, vs another "known" company?

I'm looking for a comparison in height vs. snap-on, matco, GW, bluepoint, etc.

2ndGearRubber,

Check out post# 10 of this GJ thread for height comparison pictures between Ko-ken Zeal and others: Superautobacs comparison pics.

Dave

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