Blackhawk Sockets?

[Conductor562]

I recently bought some 1/2" drive Proto sockets and while I originally planned on replacing all my old sockets with Proto, I ran into a hell of a deal on so 1/4" drive Blackhawk's. I have some Blackhawk stuff and while the quality is fantastic, COO is important to me and Blackhawk is a **** shoot in that department. The 1/4" sockets were USA made and I was impressed with them to the point that I ordered several 3/8" drive replacement and filler socket which were also USA made. Blackhawk is so rarely mentioned on GJ and now I'm asking myself why? Is there something I'm missing?

 

[arnwoodwheels]

Your right Blackhawk is rarely mentioned. I dont think Proto does a very good job promoting Blackhawk and the catalog is terrible.

The Grainger online catalog will list the COO of each Blackhawk tool.
I just replaced all of my Proto sockets and it was hard for me to not replace the Proto with Blackhawk in order to save some money. I decided on Proto but from what I have seen of the Blackhawk sockets they are just as well made as Protos.

 

[Thunderbisciut]

I'm sitting on a lot of Blackhawk tools at the moment, some NOS and some new. They're all very nice. Wrenches and sockets are all USA, ratchets are Taiwan, and I have a bit handle that is from China.

 

[Conductor562]

Yea, I routinely use Grainger to determine COO. I have some Blackhawk bit handles I got for Christmas. They're the cushion grip models, made in France.

 

[Conductor562]

Speaking of, are there any other sites that list COO other than Epstein's?

 

[pfctblu]

I just grabbed a 1/2 in Blackhawk BP-1412 online and the company basically drop shipped from Grainger so I had it next day! Its 72 tooth and was pretty stiff, though when I took it apart, I found it was greased. I cleaned it up and gave it some RLL and it feels better now. Nicely chromed ratchet and for very little money.
Pic shows a Proto 5249P for reference.

 

[Conductor562]

I haven't ventured into Blackhawk ratchets yet. I've got a bunch of Proto ratchets but I may have to give BH a shot.

 

[Thunderbisciut]

^^^ Yup, I swapped my main ratchets over to those. Cheap, nice tooth count, pretty, and a slim head grabbed my attention. I've only used them a couple of times since I got them, but I'm pleased so far.

 

[Conductor562]

My base socket set was Williams era Kobalt and 85% of them are still in great shape. I wanted to replace them all with Proto but for the prices I was finding the Blackhawks for it was to tempting to pass up. I've got a half dozen or so large Blackhawk ratcheting combos that are great quality so I figured what the hell. I got several 1/2" drive sockets for around $2 each. I really wasn't expecting much but these are nice sockets. I love Proto stuff and I give them first look for just about everything. I'm not a Professional Mechanic and my job requires very few tools, but now I'm looking back thinking I should have taken a chance on Blackhawk a long time ago. I don't want their Taiwan tools, but I'm willing to take a chance on any of their USA stuff. The driver handle set my Dad got me for Christmas was made in France, but I don't mind it as much as I do Asian stuff. I guess that's something of a double standard, but it is what it is.

 

[stonesfan68]

The Blackhawk BP-1412 is made in Taiwan, but my cost at Grainger is $24, so I'd sure consider the tool if I were in the market. I'll take Taiwan tools over China.

 

[03protege]

Conductor where did you order your sockets from? I was under the impression all of the BH sockets were Taiwanese.

Do you think the BH sockets are essentially the same as the Proto?

 

[03protege]

The Blackhawk BP-1412 is made in Taiwan, but my cost at Grainger is $24, so I'd sure consider the tool if I were in the market. I'll take Taiwan tools over China.

On zoro tools you can order the 1/4". 3/8". and 1/2" for about $50 after the coupon is applied.

 

[Conductor562]

Conductor where did you order your sockets from? I was under the impression all of the BH sockets were Taiwanese.

Do you think the BH sockets are essentially the same as the Proto?

I ordered some from eBay and some from Zoro. I did a little research and Blackhawk socket are indeed still USA made. Every set I pulled up on Grainger listed USA as the COO. They are very similar to my Proto's and I found several references saying they're made in the same factory as MAC sockets. They're very nice and as long as they remain USA made they'll be my first look for sockets. Nice quality, USA made, Lifetime warranty, and cheap prices for an industrial brand. They're worth a look man.

 

[Thunderbisciut]

Yeah, I have about 200 or so Blackhawk sockets, and they're all USA (and for sale). The wrenches I have are USA as well. So far the only Taiwan Blackhawk products I've seen are the ratchets, and they're still very nice.

 

[RM209]

I discovered the modern Blackhawk line when I sent a Proto Challenger wrench to Stanley for replacement under warranty; they substituted a Blackhawk wrench and I was very pleased with the quality, and I like the satin finish, as it's easier to hold when I'm working on greasy parts.

As far as I know, (virtually) all Blackhawk wrenches and sockets are made in the U.S.; got a load when I recently purchased a pile of closeout tools from a local distributor. The only item not made in the US was a pair of radiator hose pliers; feel free to check my ad.

Thanks,
RM209

 

[ToddyB]

It is hard to beat Blackhawk for the money. The only difference I see in my Blackhawk and Proto sockets is how large the engraving is telling socket size; kinda hard to read on the Blackhawks. I have yet to see an imported Blackhawk socket or combination wrench.

 

[Conductor562]

It is hard to beat Blackhawk for the money. The only difference I see in my Blackhawk and Proto sockets is how large the engraving is telling socket size; kinda hard to read on the Blackhawks. I have yet to see an imported Blackhawk socket or combination wrench.

The ratcheting combos are Taiwanese.

Here are the driver handles my Dad got me:

They have a hefty, quality, feel about them and they feel good in your hand. Both can be had for under $20. If I didn't already have screwdrivers coming out my wazzu I'd give the Blackhawk screwdrivers a shot. They're French made which leads me to believe they're probably re-branded Facom's.

 

[ToddyB]

Yes, the ratcheting combos are Taiwanese. Does anyone know who makes them? They are some of the best I have ever seen. Excellent chrome and very smooth mechanism. I llke them much better than my Gearwrench ones. They were also some of the most expensive if you were to get them new from Grainger.

 

[Seb650R]

I like the finish and think that they look and feel just as nice as the Proto Stuff. All of the ones I have are USA made. Unfortunately, my OCD has me selling the ones I have instead of keeping the assorted sockets.

If I found a complete set I wouldn't hesitate to purchase if the price was right.

 

[cmandp]

If you could, Conductor, get some decent pictures of the Blackhawk sockets when you receive them that would be great. I'm interested how them compare to Proto (and Proto are already pretty cheap for the quality!).

Somehow I subconsciously knew the Blackhawk wrenches were USA, but I figured the sockets would be Taiwan. Too bad I'm good with sockets for now.

 

[Conductor562]

If you could, Conductor, get some decent pictures of the Blackhawk sockets when you receive them that would be great. I'm interested how them compare to Proto (and Proto are already pretty cheap for the quality!).

Somehow I subconsciously knew the Blackhawk wrenches were USA, but I figured the sockets would be Taiwan. Too bad I'm good with sockets for now.

I'll try and get some pics up tomorrow

 

[Conductor562]

Here we go. My 1/2" Protos are deepwells and the Blackhawks are shallow, but it still offers a fair comparison. As ToddyB points out, the lettering on the Blackhawks is considerably smaller than that of the Protos, but the fact we're comparing deepwells to shallows may exaggerate the actual difference. The finish on the Blackhawks are just as nice as the Protos and as you will see in pics 3 and 4, the sidewalls are pretty much identical in thickness. Proto advertises it's "Torqueplus" 12 pt. system, but I can find no difference either visually or by measurement. The smaller lettering of the Blackhawks doesn't bother me a bit because I use Hanson socket trays, but I could see where it might agitate some people. Overall I'm very satisfied with Blackhawk sockets and don't really see where you can beat them for the money.

 

[Conductor562]

Please excuse my cheap *** HF caliper