Canada Only Deals!

[JradM]

Seems like a very good price on this SOG Flash AT 2 knife - it's on clearance for $66.97 at Sport Chek and the discount code FF22SEP takes another 10% off. There's a Triangle reward offer for $8 Canadian Tire Money if you spend >$100 too.



I'm not fond of assisted-opening knives or partially-serrated blades (though both have their uses), nevertheless it looks like a good deal. D2 tool steel blade with a high flat grind (good edge retention and slicey geometry) - which is very nice at this price point. D2 is semi-stainless, but this knife is also coated which should help with rust protection.

It also uses the SOG "XR lock" which is similar to Benchmade's axis lock. It is a crossbar-style lock that is very strong, ambidextrous and keeps your fingers out of the blade path when closing.

I also like the deep-carry pocket clip. It sticks out slightly past the end of the handle and wraps around to mount on the inside - that means the top of the knife should sit below the top of your pocket.

One caveat - assisted-opening knives or even just ones that can be "flicked" open (even if that first requires you to push a button, slightly open the blade, etc), are probably not legal in Canada. Problematically, there aren't many "good" folding knives that are not captured by this prohibition - e.g. that even includes a Milwaukee fastback. Check this out if you're curious:

 

[lilredex]

PAL has roll pin punches for $5.55. [$15 at Walmart U.S.]

Check out the other surplus deals at PAL.

https://www.princessauto.com/en/9-pc-roll-pin-punch-set/product/PA0009073966

Robot or human?

www.walmart.com

 

[scooby074]

HD is selling the M12 3/8 stubby impacts as a special buy with 2 bonus batteries and charger for $249. Compare to $329 USD, One of the real rare awesome deals we get compared to US prices. Not a lot of them available from HD. I ended up with the last one in Nova Scotia!

1/2" also available https://www.homedepot.ca/product/mi...th-4-0ah-2-0ah-batteries/1001232349?rrec=true

 

[matthew]

I seem to have a bit of a thing for screwdrivers… and for Princess Auto…

Years ago I have purchased some Facom insulated drivers from the surplus section at Princess. They’ve been favourites. And while I’m not sure I can really justify this purchase to myself, but there’s not a ton of stock so I’m not sure about waiting for clearance, and $15 isn’t bad, and it comes with a nice rack, and I don’t have any Pozidriv’s yet for all those Ikea screws, and they’re made in France…

Link

Also, if you’re fans of using GRK screws you may find it handy to pick up a Western Forge / Craftsman Torx driver on clearance for $2.51.

 

[Two Speed]

Lincoln CK3192-1 Midnight black auto darkening welding helmet for $119.99 at Peavymart.

https://www.peaveymart.com/tools-welding/welding/helmets-lenses/midnight-black-welding-helmet/275203?sourceCategoryCode=1014

I'd say they're trying to roll out old stock now that the viking helmet is the new kid on the block, but the same family of helmets with the graphics are still at full price (~199.99).

 

[Off_kilter]

Do you think this is a good helmet? I really like autodark helmets but want to buy something I'll be happy with long-term.

Fyi I have a migpak 180 just doing hobbyist stuff.

 

[Two Speed]

No idea, hope so since I bought one. =-) I toyed around with the idea of something from the princess but figured that the name brand behind the helmet has to give some sort of credence to their performance and quality (yeah, wishful thinking maybe this day and age considering it all comes out of china), and with it being on sale I figured I'd rather take a chance with a lincoln. I'd never buy it at 200 bucks for the amount of use I'd put it through, but at 119, yeah, I'm willing to spend that, I only got one set of eyes. I actually spent more time debating wether to stay with fixed shade or go auto. I've only ever used fixed shade, so no problem with the lid flip. =-)

Peavey has some good prices on basic welding helmets if you compare it to ctc and amazon.
A non-replacable battery Forney for $39.99.
A fixed shade Hobart big window for $41.99--I'm surprised fixed shade classic helmets are still "pricey".
Princess has an autodarkening right now for $29.99 right now. Probably an introductory price, they seem to do that with new products, come in real good price and then when you want a 2nd one, the price has jumped way up.
Pay attention to lens size, I noticed a variety of viewing sizes when looking at helmets.

Non-replacable battery forney;

https://www.peaveymart.com/tools-welding/easy-weld-black-matte-adf-helmet/3558486?sourceCategoryCode=1010

Hobart fixed shade, large lens;

https://www.peaveymart.com/tools-welding/welding/helmets-lenses/hobart-fixed-lens-welding-helmet/253442

Princess auto 29.99 special, while supplies last;

https://www.princessauto.com/en/auto-darkening-welding-helmet/product/PA0008950743

 

[JradM]

Buck Kingsman is on sale again at Canadian Tire - $16. That still has to be the best sub $25 knife you can buy in Canada. If you just want something to beat on, it's a pretty good deal.



Weirdly the Canadian Tire web listing says the blade is 3CR13, which is junk blade steel - but that's got to be an error right? I'd check that it still has Buck's very nice (for the money) 420HC before making a purchase.

Frankly the best stuff in the $25 - $40 range is probably also from Buck, just not this model (the Bantam is probably the next step - or a 112 if you can find a sale). $40 and up is where I think the options start to expand and you would notice improvements in the materials and action (in that range I'd be looking at the AUS-8 Ka-Bar Dozier, 8CR13MOV Civivi Vagabond or maybe the 8CR13MOV Byrd Meadowlark.

Anyone else have knives they recommend?

 

[matthew]

Anyone else have knives they recommend?

I’m always tempted when you guys post knife deals. But while there may be better knives out there, I don’t know of a better pocket carry than a Victorinox. I just wish I’d see a great deal on an Explorer, as my Hiker I’ve had since I was 12 is great, but I want a model where the Phillips folds out of the end. (And yes, that is an encouragement for the dealseekers here to find deals on one…).

 

[JradM]

I’m always tempted when you guys post knife deals. But while there may be better knives out there, I don’t know of a better pocket carry than a Victorinox. I just wish I’d see a great deal on an Explorer, as my Hiker I’ve had since I was 12 is great, but I want a model where the Phillips folds out of the end. (And yes, that is an encouragement for the dealseekers here to find deals on one…).

I like a good ole SAK too. Victorinox uses a 420 stainless on their blades, but heat treats it somewhat soft. Still, it's a fine-grained steel that you can sharpen to ridiculous levels - it's just not going to hold an edge like some of the other options.

The only SAK deal I know of at the moment is the Victorinox s17 evolutions on clearance at some Canadian Tire stores - I tried to order one myself but it was cancelled (must have been phantom stock). No other store close to me had any left. Here's the link if you want to try.

No Phillips on that model - but it does have a locking blade, which is neat.

 

[matthew]

I’d actually seen that, and thought about it. Sold out in my area now. Phillips is just so useful I hesitated.

My other SAK is a WorkChamp. I like the locking blade, but it’s a bit big to carry all the time. And there’s times I do like a knife with the small blade. Explorer isn’t quite how I’d design my perfect SAK, but is close. And not unreasonable at $60ish, but would love a deal…

Think I’ll get out the Sharpmaker and retouch the Hiker.

 

[Relax]

What do you guys think of these "Hot Buy" presses at PA? Home mechanic/hobbyist use for automotive bearings and bushings. Do I really need more than 10 tons? Then again, I may need to move up to the 20 ton model for the bed width to accommodate motorcycle wheel bearings and overall height to to axles bearings.

10 ton for $270 - https://www.princessauto.com/en/product/PA0009040148


20 ton for $500 - https://www.princessauto.com/en/20-ton-hydraulic-shop-press/product/PA0009035569

 

[matthew]

I did a rather sketchy bearing pressing recently with a 6 ton bottle jack. Not sure how much bigger would be necessary really for that job.

Princess has had special buys a couple of times in the last year on shop presses - I don’t recall if they were 12 or 20 ton. I think they were $188 or thereabouts. I’d guess next time they come up will be a bit pricier.

Cheap presses may be a little marginal in construction. If it was me, I’d go in the first day of the sale next time they have a special buy, and closely at how they’re built. It may be worth buying the $500 one, I think you’d have a better idea of that from seeing it in person.

(These two look definitely nicer than the one I’d seen before. I may be optimistic in thinking the black and yellow one will return…)

 

[Off_kilter]

I think if you were leaning towards the 10 ton you should buy the maximum one at Canadian tire. It goes on sale for $300 and looks much nicer for actual use.

 

[JradM]

What do you guys think of these "Hot Buy" presses at PA? Home mechanic/hobbyist use for automotive bearings and bushings. Do I really need more than 10 tons? Then again, I may need to move up to the 20 ton model for the bed width to accommodate motorcycle wheel bearings and overall height to to axles bearings.

10 ton for $270 - https://www.princessauto.com/en/product/PA0009040148


20 ton for $500 - https://www.princessauto.com/en/20-ton-hydraulic-shop-press/product/PA0009035569

I'm probably a little less conservative. Presses aren't that complicated. If it is the right price and the type of press I wanted, I'd probably just go for it. Princess Auto has a ridiculously good return policy after all.

I've only used it twice that I can think of. Once was shortly after buying a locking flex-head ratchet. I was using it on something and the locking selector just popped off and launched a spring across my shop. That was pretty standard, but the other time is what gives me warm feelings for PA.

I purchased a gas-powered jackhammer/post driver to drive in T-posts for winter fencing. Near the end of the day, the detents that hold the post-driving attachment onto the hammer drive failed. I presume there's a spring inside that presses against them that must have rattled off. It was a small part and I figured it would be cheap to replace if needed. However, I packed it back into its box, meaning to check at PA for a replacement - and promptly forgot about it. A little over a year later when I wanted to go install more T-posts... that's when I realized it was still busted.

I bought the attachment to PA with me to see if I could buy a replacement, however they didn't list any parts for that machine. Instead the customer service rep told me to bring in the whole machine. Sure enough, even though it was more than a year ago and I'd lost the receipt, they offered to refund or swap the machine for me. I opted to spend a bit more and buy what I hope is an upgraded model.

 

[Relax]

I figured I’d check Kijiji before pulling the trigger and found a like-new King Canada 10 ton pretty cheap, so I picked it up last night. Looks identical to the Maximum and probably the Princess Auto one as well, but I watched a favorable video review of the King and read a few unfavorable reviews of the Maximum - main issues being build quality and replacement parts availability, which is why I was looking for a new one to begin with. I bought a 12-ton bottle-jack style from PA and it came with the ram welded on crooked. They said to bring the whole thing back for replacement since they didn't have individual parts. I was going to try bringing just the ram to swap out of another, but I imagine that would be a pain if I had to do that for something else in the future like the jack. So the whole thing is going back for refund.

 

[Two Speed]

Buck Kingsman is on sale again at Canadian Tire - $16. That still has to be the best sub $25 knife you can buy in Canada. If you just want something to beat on, it's a pretty good deal.



Weirdly the Canadian Tire web listing says the blade is 3CR13, which is junk blade steel - but that's got to be an error right? I'd check that it still has Buck's very nice (for the money) 420HC before making a purchase.

Frankly the best stuff in the $25 - $40 range is probably also from Buck, just not this model (the Bantam is probably the next step - or a 112 if you can find a sale). $40 and up is where I think the options start to expand and you would notice improvements in the materials and action (in that range I'd be looking at the AUS-8 Ka-Bar Dozier, 8CR13MOV Civivi Vagabond or maybe the 8CR13MOV Byrd Meadowlark.

Anyone else have knives they recommend?

It might be a price point knife made just for the big box stores. I bought a gerber ripstop ii when it was on clearance (something like 6 bucks) for a yardwork knife. I did not look closely at it in store, I did look on the gerber website--website shows double thumbstud-which for me is a pretty much a must have since I'm left handed. Turns out this thing from CTC has NO thumbstuds at all, but a little Gerber logo where the thumbstuds are supposed to be. Of course, I set this thing aside when I bought it and am beyond any return period on it. But I should email Gerber and ask them if its a potential counterfeit knife to see what they have to say about it.

But its a buck, they may just be doing across the board cost cutting. I had a buck nobleman that was my EDC, double thumb stud, as it should. Lost it. Bought another one from a local gun shop... ONE right handed thumbstud on it. Check buck website, no mention of anything except to say thumbstud and all the pictures of the knife are only showing the one side of it now. Bit of deceptive nonsense as far as I am concerned.

My bottom line now since I never had these issues until about 5 years ago; check the knife makers website to see what the knife should be. Then look at what is offered to see if it still meets the spec of the "good" ones.

That said, I also have a Kingsman from CTC, the only markings on the blade is China on one side, and as in your photo, 311 followed by a symbol (which I think is a date symbol if I remember right. Like the ripstop, I buy em cheap to abuse not collect).

 

[AldeanFan]

I figured I’d check Kijiji before pulling the trigger and found a like-new King Canada 10 ton pretty cheap, so I picked it up last night. Looks identical to the Maximum and probably the Princess Auto one as well, but I watched a favorable video review of the King and read a few unfavorable reviews of the Maximum - main issues being build quality and replacement parts availability, which is why I was looking for a new one to begin with. I recently bought a 20-ton bottle-jack style from PA and it came with the ram welded on crooked. They said to bring the whole thing back for replacement since they didn't have individual parts. I was going to try bringing just the ram to swap out of another, but I imagine that would be a pain if I had to do that for something else in the future like the jack. So the whole thing is going back for refund.

I have the maximum version and I’ve been very happy with it except for the awkward pump mount, I changed that soon after purchase.

 

[JradM]

I almost missed the Lee Valley "seconds" event - it was buried in a promotional email about "staff favorites". Coming up in a couple days.



Just like last time this came up, there may be "special buys" and discounted gift cards for sale too.

The actual "seconds" offerings tend to sell out pretty quick - not to say one or two varieties might still be available at the end of the day, but if you want something specific... best decide quickly (e.g. some stuff will sell out in a half-hour).


P.s. I was in a Canadian Tire a couple days ago and decided to buy one of those Buck "Kingsman" knives I posted about. I can verify - it's not 3cr like the webpage says, but it isn't 420HC either - it's 420J2.

It's hard to say what "420J2" is exactly. 420 is like a steel recipe, but the "HC" in Buck's 420HC stands for "high carbon". Since this model is made in China (whereas most Buck knives are made in the USA), it may just be that Buck spec'd a similar steel from a Chinese manufacturer instead of sending their 420HC across the ocean. More likely, it's just ordinary "420" steel.



I'd say the knife is still a good bargain at ~$16, but it's not as exciting as Buck's 420HC would be at this price point. I'm guessing the Buck Bantam or 112 slim is probably your best bet if you want to try that HC steel.

However, the Kingsman isn't a bad design IMO. It has recessed steel liners inside plastic scales. Plastic scales aren't anyone's idea of premium handle material, but it can be nice on a budget knife because they're molded and the manufacturer can give them some 3D shape without adding cost. Conversely, most "cheap" knives with G10 have flat scales because milling is too expensive.

The Kingsman is a small knife that gives me a three, or maybe just barely a three-and-a-half, finger grip if I hold with my forefinger in the finger groove. However, it's not that uncomfortable to "gorilla grip" with your fingers further forward, in which case I can actually get all four fingers on it (I usually wear a size large glove). The choil is almost big enough for a finger too - if you dulled the back edge it would probably work.

The "spydie" hole works to open it one-handed relatively easily, but the detent isn't tuned to let you flick it open. There's enough purchase on the liner lock that closing it one-handed is easy too (though I do find that the liner takes above-average pressure).

It's also kind of nice that it is screwed-together. Wouldn't have surprised me if Buck pinned it. Oh! I almost forgot, it has a DEEP pocket clip too, which gets a thumbs up from me!

Overall, not a bad design. If you want to spend $15-$20 max on a knife, I think it's still recommendable. Since it's cheap, I'm probably going to mod the bejesus out of mine for fun.

If you can spend $20-25, I'd keep an eye out for the Buck Bantam to go on sale (US made, 420HC with a mid-mounted back lock):



~$35 and I'd wait for a sale on the Buck 112 slim:

 

[AldeanFan]

I’d like to see a thread on mods to this knife!
I have one I keep in the shed for cutting twine. It’s a good enough knife at a great price.

 

[matthew]

I’m case anyone else saves us their Canadian Tire money, rather than redeeming it right away -

Tomorrow only CTC will give you 20% CT money back for however much you redeem.

 

[matthew]

Fudge… I’d set myself a reminder, and somehow it didn’t go off… how y’all picked up something interesting with your CT money

 

[daithi]

The promo really wasn't that good... I used my $10 of CT money and earned a whopping $2.** back.

Still didn't stop me from spending over $200 though All Channellock was on sale and I picked up the 184pc Socket/Wrench/Bit set for $99. It's just going to live in my truck forever as a breakdown kit. Might never even see the light of day again.

 

[matthew]

I have $60 accumulated… it was earmarked to save up for some Knipex. $12 on $60 would have been decent. Oh well.

 

[PhantomEB]

I been wanting to add one to the shop but no room right now until the bronco‘s hood goes back on.

I want the pneumatic driven 30T hydraulic press that PA has for 699.

What do you guys think of these "Hot Buy" presses at PA? Home mechanic/hobbyist use for automotive bearings and bushings. Do I really need more than 10 tons? Then again, I may need to move up to the 20 ton model for the bed width to accommodate motorcycle wheel bearings and overall height to to axles bearings.

10 ton for $270 - https://www.princessauto.com/en/product/PA0009040148


20 ton for $500 - https://www.princessauto.com/en/20-ton-hydraulic-shop-press/product/PA0009035569

 

[Eonblue]

https://www.homedepot.ca/product/milwaukee-tool-m12-fuel-12v-lithium-ion-brushless-cordless-1-2-inch-ratchet-tool-only-/1001237219

Milwaukee FUEL 1/2 ratchet for only $114 with a free 3.0aH battery, MSRP on it is $248.

 

[daithi]

Where did you get that price? When I click the link it says $248 + battery.

 

[Eonblue]

https://www.reddit.com/r/Tools/comments/yj4xq9
Found out about it on Reddit. Looks like they corrected it, I made an order just before posting.

 

[JradM]

https://www.reddit.com/r/Tools/comments/yj4xq9
Found out about it on Reddit. Looks like they corrected it, I made an order just before posting.

Nice score! I would have bought that too!

 

[JradM]

The holiday tradition $10 Dewalt drill bit set is back.



I almost always buy a set or three when these go on sale. Cheap way to get a bunch of small bits that I will break eventually.

On closer inspection... are the bit sizes smaller than usual or am I misremembering? I thought the $10 set went up to 1/2". Maybe this is "shrinkage"? Might still be worthwhile to get the small ones, but I swear the sizes have changed.

 

[JradM]

Hopefully no one minds if I post yet another knife deal - seems like I've been doing that a lot lately.

It's "Wild Wednesday" at Cabelas and there's a couple of good deals.

First, the Buck 112 slim in 420HC steel. This is the exact knife I posted about earlier where I said if you had about $35 to spend, the Buck 112 slim, if you waited for a sale, was probably the best deal you could find... and it happened!

$34.99 - today only

The "value" here is that this knife is the second cheapest USA-made model with Buck's 420HC ("high carbon") blade steel. Buck is known as having the best heat treatment process to get the most edge retention out of this steel - it punches above it's weight class.

While the Bantam is a little cheaper on sale and also USA-made with a 420HC blade, it is not finished as nicely. The 112 slim has a 3" blade, a deep carry pocket clip and is quite light at around 2.5oz.



There's also a healthy discount on the Victorinox Rangergrip Gardener - $49.99 (regular $119.99). Seems like a fantastic price, though I'm not sure I want to carry an SAK this big. Given the tool loadout, probably a good outdoors or hunting choice.

 

[JradM]

This looks pretty good - $90 automotive under hood light and speaker at Costco ($30 off).



Sure a lot cheaper than Dewalt anyway. I assume the batteries are built-in though, but still - you can buy two and still have money left over.

 

[LWB]

Any members interested in a USA made S-K set of wrenches near Hamilton. I hope it's okay to past a facebook ad here. I'd jump on these myself but am trying to avoid becoming a hoarder!

Kijiji - Buy, Sell & Save with Canada's #1 Local Classifieds

Visit Kijiji Classifieds to buy, sell, or trade almost anything! New and used items, cars, real estate, jobs, services, vacation rentals and more virtually anywhere.

www.kijiji.ca

 

[Relax]

This looks pretty good - $90 automotive under hood light and speaker at Costco ($30 off).



Sure a lot cheaper than Dewalt anyway. I assume the batteries are built-in though, but still - you can buy two and still have money left over.

Tempting... Anyone see these in-store, where they'd typically be even cheaper?

 

[Relax]

Princess Auto has some industrial bench grinder pedestals on clearance for $135 down from $250. These are the heavier duty ones, weighing 70 lbs and a capacity of 600 lbs:

https://www.princessauto.com/en/industrial-bench-grinder-stand/product/PA0008712325

Ironically, the mounting holes of my 6" Titan bench grinder (also from PA) that I bought it for don't exactly line up with the various slots, but close enough. I'll need to find some shorter bolts to actually tighten it down and see how it turns out, but worst case scenario, I only need it for light duty, and might just leave it free standing on the rubber feet. I also mounted an old bench-mounted drill press to it since I don't have a work bench I can mount it to:

 

[matthew]

On that grinder stand - At first glance $135 might not seem that cheap, but 70lbs of steel is worth close to that much these days. So anytime you can buy something at close to the cost of the raw material, that’s quite a deal.

 

[JradM]

Tempting... Anyone see these in-store, where they'd typically be even cheaper?

I was in a Costco yesterday. It was MORE expensive, believe it or not. I don't remember now what the price was - more than $100, ~$109 sounds right. Once I realized it was higher, I didn't pay attention.

This was in Alberta, so YMMV.

 

[Relax]

I was in a Costco yesterday. It was MORE expensive, believe it or not. I don't remember now what the price was - more than $100, ~$109 sounds right. Once I realized it was higher, I didn't pay attention.

This was in Alberta, so YMMV.

Good to know. On the flip side, I was at Mississauga Central today and they have just the two lights from that kit without the hood bar for $40. I think I'll go ahead and get the whole kit for the extra $50, because the lights by themselves are useless with my aluminum hood.





A little off-topic, but while I was there I also spotted these 3-burner BBQ's on clearance for less than half price at $199.97. Online, they're currently $450. They're by the far wall between the toilet paper and bottled water:

https://www.costco.ca/nexgrill-3-burner-propane-gas-grill-with-cover.product.100720344.html

 

[LWB]

1/4" digital torque wrench anyone? Princess has Pro points on. I grabbed mine tonight and already have the 3/8 and 1/2 for some time.

https://www.princessauto.com/en/1-4-in-dr-digital-torque-wrench/product/PA0008381477

 

[JradM]

Some Victorinox deals for "Wild Wednesday" at Cabelas! I like these models too.

1. Side Chef - $30, reg $60

This is the large format SAK with a locking blade. The lock is a liner lock that operates backwards from every other knife. I have a SAK "Rescue" with this style - it feels weird but isn't hard to use. If you're going to have a combo edge, I really like how Victorinox put the plain part near the handle where you have more control.



2. Midnite Manager - $35, reg $70

I want this, but I certainly don't need it. Unlike the Classic SD model, this has the blade on the opposite end from the keyring. That is SO much better IMO since, if you're using it as a keychain knife, you can have your keys hanging out the back like a lanyard instead of getting in the way of your blade. Plus, this might well be the most tools-per-ounce of any SAK model - more than the skinnier alox versions even since the alox doesn't have room for a flashlight or pen.



3. Serrated Spartan - $20, reg $40

If you don't need scissors, this is probably one of the better inexpensive and regular-size model SAKs (though I might prefer a phillips driver over the corkscrew on the back side). I don't normally choose serrated edged blades, but this model has two blades, only one of which is serrated. Plus Victorionox's serrations are pretty shallow. There's other tools you can buy to store inside the corkscrew too - like the FireAnt ferrocerium rod or Victorionox's mini screwdrivers or sim card tool.