Fake tools on eBay?

[AutoTeck84]

Ok I am shopping around for a set of metric SK combos and I keep coming across a set of wrenches the sellers are labeling as genuine new SK. 9mm to 30mm to be had for around 50 bucks shipped. Different seller names same lame pic. I have never seen any modern SK wrenches that look similar. Can't put a link but here's the url to one.

http://m.ebay.com/itm/SK-Tools-9pc-Metric-Combo-Wrench-Set-9-30mm-NEW-/301103738594?nav=SEARCH

 

[AceofSpad3s]

I would bet a nut on those not being sk. I wouldn't say they are knock offs but it looks like someone trying to pedal no name usa lower end wrenches as sk. That style is similar to the older sk raised panel wrenches but the finish on those listed look like sh*t. If they were sk the seller would have posted pictures unless they are a incompetent.

 

[Bobcat753]

Those look legit. The older ones had the raised panel. I have a few of those style and they are dead on except mine are fractional instead of metric.

 

[AutoTeck84]

This set is all over eBay with claims of being new.

 

[t4runner]

If they were SK why not show the logo on the other side. I would make a request to the seller for some images of the other side if they refuse then I would pass.

 

[Bobcat753]

The one seller jnw_wholesale, seems to have multiple lots of them. Being this seller is a wholesaler they probably got these sets from a Government auction or something closing down. The seller has a good reputation and is just selling them at wholesale prices.

 

[zcbauer89]

Friend of mine bought that set. They are Genuine, but skip sizes. Even came in an SK pouch.

 

[JUNK-MAN]

Those are real I have a part of set that are just like that S-K is marked on the other side, as for them being new i don't think so.

 

[AutoTeck84]

Are they any good? It's hard to get over the finish but 50 bucks ain't bad

 

[AceofSpad3s]

Are they any good? It's hard to get over the finish but 50 bucks ain't bad

I have a few sk raised panels and the are good. If those are the real deal, who ever ran quality control should be retroactively fired. The finish on those looks god awful.
Edit: Also, I retroactively retract betting a nut, I plan on using them.

 

[SMKS]

In one of his other listings you can see one is marked "SK Wayne"

That RP style of SK wrench isn't uncommon, so I'm going to guess they're real. It is weird that they don't show both sides, though.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

Cheap, but worthless as far as a "set" goes. Too many odd sizes for me to see any value in them when attempting to create a complete set.

 

[ChevyEFI]

They look like legit SK wrenches I've used in the past.

 

[Sanny81]

They look legit and they have been on there for months. I would have bought a "set" myself but they skip sizes.

 

[JUNK-MAN]

Are they any good? It's hard to get over the finish but 50 bucks ain't bad

They're pretty good but I don't use mine that often. Why do you care about finish? At least its half decent chrome and if you use them the finish will wear and get scratched up so why fuss over that!

 

[AutoTeck84]

Mainly what got me was the pic. Why not show the brand name? Also how there would be so many of the floating around that are clearly older wrenches. I would get the set just to have because of the larger sizes. But the main sizes I use are left out and their not pretty so for the most part useless.

 

[AutoTeck84]

I usually don't. I love vintage though haven't used much. And tools are meant to be used but I like looking at them too

 

[Bobby Cole]

Sk's have been faked for ages. Those are ****** quality and are obviously not real sk tools.

 

[kunkernator]

As for fake tools on eBay, I know there was a discussion about fake Mitutoyo calipers a while back.

 

[3baygarage]

Those are 100% real. Poor photo and a mistake on their part maybe for not photographing the other side . As SMKS said look at their other listings. One says S-K Wayne.

 

[Jeremy77]

Harry Epstein has or at least had a set of older SK wrenches just like those for sale on their website. You could check their site and compare the two. I believe them to be legit.

 

[neophyte]

The wrenches may be real, but I have my doubts. If you look at the photos of some of the SK wrench sets that are being sold, there is usually one wrench in the bunch with a darker, more patinated finish. That wrench is flipped over showing the "SK Tools" logo. The other wrenches that are really shiny are all flipped so the just show a stamp that says, "FORGED ALLOY IN U.S.A". This makes me think that one or two wrenches in each set may be real SK, but the rest of the wrenches may not be.

As far as the wrench style goes, so many companies have made copies of that design, it would be practically impossible to easily judge the source. Asahi of Japan makes that style of wrench. I believe I've seen German versions though I forget who the maker was. There may be copies made in Brazil. I wouldn't also be surprised if a third of chinese wrench manufacturers have a set of dies for those. Lastly I've seen Indian made versions which I would probably be most weary of.

The same seller does have some older French genuine SK Facom Screwdrivers for sale.

 

[AutoTeck84]

Yep, you nailed it. The one that SK Wayne is def not new! Notice how all wrenches are set the same way but only the one says Sk.

 

[AutoTeck84]

Yep, you nailed it. The one that says SK Wayne is def not new! Notice how all wrenches are set the same way but only the one says Sk.

 

[tweedlestan]

Sk's have been faked for ages. Those are ****** quality and are obviously not real sk tools.

********. Don't spread misinformation.

 

[Sanny81]

Yep, you nailed it. The one that says SK Wayne is def not new! Notice how all wrenches are set the same way but only the one says Sk.

The thing that makes this confusing is at various points in time, SK stamped "S-K" or "SK TOOLS" or "S•K" on different sides of their wrenches. I had asked this question and got a good answer here:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=284357