Tools of Japan
- Thread starter Frankstools
- Start date
bargainhuntingking
Well-known member
1/4" flex head ratchet showed up from amazon.jp
Love the ratchet; have the same one myself!
What typa store is Joyful Honda?
Tsurumonkey
Member
Yeah definitely not actual rubber so I’d assume silicone also. Thanks for the leads on the rulers and scissors. I’ll check those out. They look like different beasts but if you were picking one set of scissors for the toolbox would you lean canary or engineer.
silver2000
Well-known member
Reed you are 100% correct, the cold snap must have gotten to me! Amazing eyes you have, thank you for getting me back on track. It's been such a great tool in my yard I can't say enough about it. I personally like the plastic handle for the durability and not worrying about it getting to wet also. Thank you for the great feedback.
madwi
Well-known member
A couple new things arrived.
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Tsurumonkey
Member
Ah holy cow you did it. Those screwdrivers are art.
madwi
Well-known member
I love these screwdrivers. Planning on ordering another set for my father's Christmas present.
madwi
Well-known member
Can I adopt you before Christmas?
Sure, why not.
Do I get to crash at your pad when I am in Japan? 
bargainhuntingking
Well-known member
It's a mega store the size of a mall but it's own store. Imagine Walmart on steroids. For example, it’s home/garden/construction section is the size of a Home Depot, it has it's own food court with a dozen restaurants, full sized supermarket, etc. Mostly cheap/less expensive items but basically anything you need for any human activity. It also contained other stores such a Daiso (the 100 yen store of "dollar store"). I enjoyed the tool section. Here are some pics (including many non-Japanese items too):
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bargainhuntingking
Well-known member
I think I showed tremendous restraint and dropped only $220 on a few sundry items.
These were made in Japan:
This stuff in the following photo is mostly Taiwanese with a few Chinese items (the curved pliers in the bottom had nice ergonomics). Had to stay true to my unashamed love of Harbor Freight frugality:
Here are a few close ups of the Japanese items. I bought four Trustco tool boxes of different sizes, a pair of Engineer pliers, a set of Top thin wrenches for caster nuts etc., a Tone wrench holder, and got a free 600+ page Tone tool catalog.
These were made in Japan:
This stuff in the following photo is mostly Taiwanese with a few Chinese items (the curved pliers in the bottom had nice ergonomics). Had to stay true to my unashamed love of Harbor Freight frugality:
Here are a few close ups of the Japanese items. I bought four Trustco tool boxes of different sizes, a pair of Engineer pliers, a set of Top thin wrenches for caster nuts etc., a Tone wrench holder, and got a free 600+ page Tone tool catalog.
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bargainhuntingking
Well-known member
These items were from Daiso, the 100 yen or “Dollar Store”. Items were $0.89 at current exchanges rates. I think these are actually Chinese made so apologies for the sacrilege on posting them on this thread, but I did buy them in Japan. The curved toothed blades are excellent for hand clearing thickets of blackberry vines:
But these new items pale in relation to the generous gifts of old tools given to me by my wife’s relatives. Her elderly father was a woodworker hobbiest and told me he’s too old to work on his projects anymore, so he took me out to his shed and plied me with old antique chisels, KTC socket sets, a few Vessel, Top, and Tone tools, and some beat up classic Japanese tool boxes. Even more special was a tour of her uncle’s woodworking shop, complete with industrial table saws, presses etc. He gave me a beat up cantilevered Marvel toolbox. I love the patina and Japanese characters on these old boxes. I’ll post a photo set of touring his shop a bit.
Meanwhile, here’s the haul that I managed to stuff in the family luggage and bring back all the while keeping each bag under the 27kg limit. The Japan Airlines check-in clerk was awfully patient as I tore into our 8 bags and shuffled my rusty bounty between my wife's and kids' luggage:
I bought two of the small blue Trusco toolboxes for my 5 year olds (and 2 larger ones for me). A nice keepsake of their time in Japan as well as a practical durable box for their favorite toys, and perhaps their tools one day.
Forgot to include a classic Japanese woodsaw. Apparently these aren’t in use much anymore because not many people know how to sharpen them:
But these new items pale in relation to the generous gifts of old tools given to me by my wife’s relatives. Her elderly father was a woodworker hobbiest and told me he’s too old to work on his projects anymore, so he took me out to his shed and plied me with old antique chisels, KTC socket sets, a few Vessel, Top, and Tone tools, and some beat up classic Japanese tool boxes. Even more special was a tour of her uncle’s woodworking shop, complete with industrial table saws, presses etc. He gave me a beat up cantilevered Marvel toolbox. I love the patina and Japanese characters on these old boxes. I’ll post a photo set of touring his shop a bit.
Meanwhile, here’s the haul that I managed to stuff in the family luggage and bring back all the while keeping each bag under the 27kg limit. The Japan Airlines check-in clerk was awfully patient as I tore into our 8 bags and shuffled my rusty bounty between my wife's and kids' luggage:
I bought two of the small blue Trusco toolboxes for my 5 year olds (and 2 larger ones for me). A nice keepsake of their time in Japan as well as a practical durable box for their favorite toys, and perhaps their tools one day.
Forgot to include a classic Japanese woodsaw. Apparently these aren’t in use much anymore because not many people know how to sharpen them:
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Your post came up on a google search for anex 425. Helpful review thanks
YES! I have finally achieved the fame that has so long eluded me!!!
But, but...hold on a minute. Where are all the groupies???
Thanks for the pics!
Looks amazing... I would have a catastrophic wallet failure in there I'm afraid.
Reed Prince
Well-known member
I was actually disappointed by the number of inventory controls I saw in the pictures.
HazetMatt
Active member
I love those Trusco toolboxes. They’re the best. I’d have one of everything if I didn’t have to pay shipping every time.
How do you like the ratchet?
Strouty
Well-known member
The straight ratchet is OK, I bought one by accident, the flex head version is much nicer. I soaked both of mine in mystery oil and it helped with the back drag a bit. I use mine frequently after breaking things loose, yet they are still too tough to turn with my fingers.
I like it. Its got a hefty build, a nice satin finish (personal preference), and very very little backlash after jumping to a new tooth.
xin
Well-known member
My new speed ratchet.
Mini 3/8 body with a 1/2 drive.
Tone ratchet, koken wobble extension and koken nutgrip socket.
Do you got link to it and how much was it (is it available from Amazon)?
Reed Prince
Well-known member
If I was looking for the optimal flex head + low back drag + 1/2" tool, I would perhaps pair a Ko-ken 3/8" Z-eal with a Facom D.169JS coupler.
I got it off Amazon JP:
https://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/product/B00MIDFQLK/
Looks like you can also get it from a few sellers on amazon.com (probably will be shipped from Japan).
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MIDFQLK/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Back drag is really just a matter of replacing or trimming the pawl spring.
"DavidB" setup a fun experiment to show differences between springs:
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=356557
If your style of wrenching is vigorous (fast), dont go too light, as you may skip teeth inadvertently.
If you want as close to zero backdrag as possible, its best to go to toothless ratchets.
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superautobacs
Well-known member
If one pair, I'd go with the Engineer for it's versatility.
Thanks for posting your interesting story, along with all the photos!!
When you have the chance, I'm interested in reading/seeing more details of the old boxes and contents.
I have that RH4CHS as well. Out of the box, it had way more backdrag than I'd like. When I featured it in one of my videos, I had nipped off a section off the spring to get the feeling right for me.
Tone 1.2 drive in 3.8 body stubby ratchet with 27mm socket by ChrisCas aka Superautobacs, on Flickrbargainhuntingking
Well-known member
Further discussion on the topic of “Where was that tool made?”
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?postcount=9419
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?postcount=9419
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Unfortunately I do not travel to Japan, but I just returned from another trip to Hong Kong (the 3rd time this year). Each time I go, I seek out Japanese hand tools as well as unique or hard to find items. This trip I had some more time to explore, so I wanted to share some locations for others that visit Hong Kong.
For Koken and other higher end brands:
Chup Kee Brothers
329B Reclamation Street in Kowloon (short walk from the Yau Ma Tei subway station)
I've purchased from this shop several times. It's tiny and haphazardly arranged, but they're friendly and seem to have good prices (at least on Koken). There are a few shops close by that have a small assortment of Japanese tools (pliers, etc), but I have only found one shop that sells Koken.
I picked these up from Chup Kee
Toyo toolbox (80 HKD / $10 USD)
Koken 1/4" flex ratchet (260 HKD / $33 USD)
Koken 1/2" sliding t-bar (I think it was 95 HKD / $12 USD)
From Google searches, I found others recommending Apliu Street in Kowloon (take the Sham Sui Po subway station and you exit into the heart of this street. There's a street market as well, but the good stuff is in the shops and not street booths). WOW...this is what I've been looking for all along. Probably about 15-20 different shops selling hand tools. Some shops only sold cheap Chinese made tools, and others didn't have a lot of Japanese tools. There were a handful of shops that had a nice assortment. No Koken, but lots of other Japanese tool brands (3 peak, Shell, Lobster, Vessel, Anex, Engineer, ARS, NT Cutter, etc) as well as some other high end brands like PB Swiss, NWS pliers, etc. The prices varied slightly between shops (~ 10%), but prices seemed very reasonable considering the quality.
For reference, this is one of the nicer shops (and I believe the one that also sells PB Swiss and NWS):
Fung Shing Technology
251 Apliu Street in Kowloon
For Koken and other higher end brands:
Chup Kee Brothers
329B Reclamation Street in Kowloon (short walk from the Yau Ma Tei subway station)
I've purchased from this shop several times. It's tiny and haphazardly arranged, but they're friendly and seem to have good prices (at least on Koken). There are a few shops close by that have a small assortment of Japanese tools (pliers, etc), but I have only found one shop that sells Koken.
I picked these up from Chup Kee
Toyo toolbox (80 HKD / $10 USD)
Koken 1/4" flex ratchet (260 HKD / $33 USD)
Koken 1/2" sliding t-bar (I think it was 95 HKD / $12 USD)
From Google searches, I found others recommending Apliu Street in Kowloon (take the Sham Sui Po subway station and you exit into the heart of this street. There's a street market as well, but the good stuff is in the shops and not street booths). WOW...this is what I've been looking for all along. Probably about 15-20 different shops selling hand tools. Some shops only sold cheap Chinese made tools, and others didn't have a lot of Japanese tools. There were a handful of shops that had a nice assortment. No Koken, but lots of other Japanese tool brands (3 peak, Shell, Lobster, Vessel, Anex, Engineer, ARS, NT Cutter, etc) as well as some other high end brands like PB Swiss, NWS pliers, etc. The prices varied slightly between shops (~ 10%), but prices seemed very reasonable considering the quality.
For reference, this is one of the nicer shops (and I believe the one that also sells PB Swiss and NWS):
Fung Shing Technology
251 Apliu Street in Kowloon
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Check the PB Swiss serial number here:
https://www.pbswisstools.com/en/support/safety-and-warranty/unlimited-guarantee/
Its a good way to check that the store is selling genuine stuff.
bargainhuntingking
Well-known member
superautobacs said:
Here is a quick preview. I’ll post more detailed pics in a bit.
A Marvel MN-3500 cantilever tool box and a Sakai Heavy Industries tool box with a stamp that reads SIG or SKG or SKC?
A wooden crate and metal KTC socket wrench and KTC offset wrench boxes
A peek inside:
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bwringer
Well-known member
I like how the toolbox says "TOOL BOX" on the top in big letters.
Y'know, just in case you forget what it is or something...
Seriously, I would probably have a very heavy suitcase for the flight home. Probably best I don't go to Japan or Hong Kong.
Negen
Well-known member
Next time try to plan your trip to give you a day extra. If you fly united airlines they almost always stop in Japan. One day visa cost me 25$ two years ago.
Sent from my G8141 using The Garage Journal mobile app
I like how the toolbox says "TOOL BOX" on the top in big letters.
Y'know, just in case you forget what it is or something...
Since I passed 50 last year, this is seeming like a good idea...
Reed Prince
Well-known member
If you're exceptionally forgetful you might like this one, which I posted back in March.
I’m not there.... yet...
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
madwi
Well-known member
A few more little things for the toolbox. 3/8 drive ratchet.
Tsurumonkey
Member
Alright guys I need some help deciding on a new 1/2” ratchet. I’m torn between the beautiful knurling on the koken 4750n 30 tooth ratchet and the incredibly smooth backdrag of the zeal ratchets. Anyone have any comparison advice ?
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