Blackhawk - current stuff

[W_KY]

On the few times I have been to the Nashville Fleamarket, I have always seen what looks to be like lot of Blackhawk tools. Most of it is new complete wrench sets or ratchet/socket sets. About everything seemed to be what I would call black/industrial type finish...like impact sockets (its prob been 6+ months since I've been so can't remember exactly). From everything I have read so far, Blackhawk is part of the Stanley and most of their older stuff is good. Is all their new stuff marginal or do they still make quality tools? Feel free to correct me on any misinformation I may have.

 

[HandyManny]

Current Blackhawk is Stanley owned. It's currently being maketed as a sub line of Proto, basically marketed as Proto's little brother. A lot of what I've seen recently with newer Blackhawk is Taiwan and China made stuff.

It's still being marketed as an industrial line of tools like Proto is, but it appears to be more an economy line of Proto.

From what I've seen of the new stuff I'd rather avoid it and just buy Proto being that Proto is still a great quality tool, with most of it's basic line being still USA manufactured.

I have some old USA made Blackhawk stuff that was made probabaly in the 50's and 60's and what Blackhawk made then was certainly no economy grade tool. High quality in all aspects. The company who made those old Blackhawk tools no longer exists. New Britain Tools also later owned and made Blackhawk tools as well. I have lot's of New Britain branded stuff, it's great quality. Sadly they no longer exist.

Not all black oxide finished sockets and extentions are impact. It will usually be stamped "HAND USE ONLY" if they are not and I know Proto is pretty good about marking tools as such. A whole lot of my Proto hand tools (sockets, extentions, and combo wrenches) are black oxide finished. It's less espensive, and even though the oxide finish does wear off with regular use and handling, rust or corrosion have never been a problem.

 

[VOMA07]

I use many Blackhawk brand tools at work. Granger is the primary seller of Blackhawk. Most of my Black-hawk is US made. I know that my chrome sockets are US and my pliers and my impact sockets. The ratchets and all the wrenches are Taiwan. I think my punch and chisels are US as well. I have a good amount of Proto tools and I can't distinguish from them and Black-hawk in quality only in label. Even some of my own Mac I think is rebranded Proto and Blackhawk as well. I use Blackhawk on old worn out rusted Postal trucks every day without any problems. I hop e this info helps you out.

 

[HandyManny]

I know that for a while there, not long back, Stanley was trying to wedge it's Blackhawk line into the automotive tech and service market, as well as appealing on a large scale to the home DIYer mechanic market. It was an attempt. It appears that both of those markets already had plenty of long established competition. I guess Stanley thought it a wiser move to just keep the Blackhawk brand as an industrial brand.

The original Blackhawk as a tool manufacurer no longer exists. Neither does Plomb/Proto/Pendleton. I'm just glad to see that Stanley hasn't largely destroyed the Proto line. I do wish I could buy Proto locally, as I once was able to years ago when they sold in some better autoparts supply stores.

 

[crankshaftdan II]

Re: Blackhawk - current stuff vs Old Blackhawk stuff

Rambling thru old threads, thought you might like to see a couple pictures of old blackhawk 1/2" drive ratchet and speeder ratchet that I have in my collection. These were very HD made tools in thier time frame (30's-40's). I do not own any "New" Blackhawk, the old ones that I own still work just fine, just not new and shinney, but very well made and high quality. Just my two cents worth! :):):)