Hazet - are they any good?

[FMC1959]

I have some Hazet sockets and a few wrenches. They are very good. If there was better availability/pricing in the US, I'd probably own more...

IIRC, some members in Germany said that Hazet is much cheaper in Germany, like half the price we pay here.

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I don't have enough of either to say one is better. What I would say is that they are similar in their catalog offerings. Both have long standing reputations for their ratchets, sockets, wrenches and boxes.

Beyond that, they both carry the most extensive catalogs than any of their peers. They have stools, tape measures, knives, funnels & oil drawing pans, gloves, various work lights...and on and on. Anything you could need in an auto shop can probably be had with either Snap On or Hazet on it, their competitors do not have to this extent.

Mind you, anything that is not their bread and butter is probably OEM'd from someone else. I have one of these doohickies with the Hazet name, I doubt they make it.
http://hazet.toolteam.de.com/en-GB/hazet-nozzle-adjusting-tool-4850-2-4000896149544.html

 

[JDon99]

The only Hazet item I have is a ratchet. I think it kinda *****, definitely wouldn't claim it to be anywhere as good as SO, even a 936 series. I would like to hold their wrenches just to see how they feel.

 

[bixxjs]

I use Hazet wrenches on large hydraulic machinery,wrenches ranging from 46 to 70mm .I regularly have to slip a 6 foot cheater bar on them and 3 of us swing off them to loosen fasteners!
Quality and dependability that sums up Hazet.

 

[T45]

I'd also agree that technically SO sockets are slightly better.

But in terms of usability, Hazet tools are often nicer. Snappy is a touch harder, and can be a touch thinner. But hazet sockets are under cut at the bases, which meats they come-off the ratchet much cleaner (without a screwdriver). They also have great knurling, which in combination with matte finishe is quite an improvemnet. And the tight tolerance and broaches really seem to grip, and they fit square (less backlash or yaw in most circumstances).

In wrenches, I personally prefer SO because they are harder metal.

In bit sockets, snap on doesn't offer TiN single piece stubby bits in hex and torx, and especially in 1/4 drive the SO is inferior. In 3/8 probably a toss-up as the designs themselves are similar, although fitments can be in the eye of the beholder.

But the larger point is that this all like the final 1-10% of performance and you get into applicatin specific questions, personal ergonomics, and the rest.

For ratchets, Hazet had a superior versio of the Facom design (now discontinued, unfortunately). And their mainline stuff seems like copies of USA tools from 20-30 years ago. I wouldn't really bother with seeking them out or judging the overal brand quality based on them.

 

[fasteddie313]

I get my German tools here.. http://www.tbs-aachen.de/
Their are amazing deals to be had from time to time on different sets, it changes..

these are my favorite wrenches bar none..
http://www.tbs-aachen.de/Stahlwille...ts_Double_ended_ring_spanners_i3736_49695.htm

Porsche calls for them in their FSMs often..

BTW I was not joking..

 

[disston]

I am just a weekend mechanic so to speak but I have a lot of Hazet and other German tools because I ride an older BMW motorcycle. The German tool kit used to have these straight box end wrenches that American tool companies didn't even offer. Some places on my bike it was a requirement. I think this style of wrench can now be found made in the USA if you wanted. Quality of the Hazet has always been top notch in my book. The matte finish has never been an issue.

One thing nobody has mentioned but I notice when I pick up a European tool is that it has a number stamped on it to signify it meets a certain European standard. I think it is the DIN standard and in Europe it covers many different aspects of machine manufacturing. There are DIN standards for wiring, light bulbs, tools and I don't know what all else but DIN covers a lot of things. The wrenches I have will have the number 895 or 894 on them. I don't know what the difference is between these two or if there is much difference. Maybe somebody here can explain? I'd like to know.

I'd close with "I only use German tools on my German motorcycle" but that's not true. I use whatever, maybe Snap On, is close by.

 

[turnthewrench]

I'm sure there are some who would question the claim of "absolute best", and not being cheap like Snap On.

When you buy Hazet - or a Mercedes Benz - you pay for the tool and a couple of "refugees" welfare benefits.

 

[M6erfan]

I like Hazet sockets for all the reasons T45 points out above. Matte finish (I prefer matte over chrome), undercut, & useful aggressive knurling. Like I said earlier, I wish they were more available and less expensive here in the states. I'd probably have a drawer full of them...

I've never been a fan of, or owned, Hazet ratchets. I found them "clunky" and not very refined. IDK, there are many other ratchets I would go to before Hazet.

Their wrenches are fine, but their sockets are my favorites...

 

[Skin]

Hazet sockets are a combination of matte and full polish finishes. Their real appeal in my view is the knurling band that, for whatever reason, American manufacturers did away with decades ago.

I probably would of bought more if I didn't have so many sockets already. They're also quite pricey too though.

I'll take my Snap-On long combo over any Hazet combo any day though. Likewise for Snap-On and Nepros ratchets. Hazet's ratchet design is so antiquated there is no comparison in the latter.

 

[M6erfan]

Yeah, WTF did manufacturers do away with knurling their sockets (I mean aside from decorative)? Seriously, dumbest thing ever!

 

[WittHay]

I got a few Hazet torx bit sockets and i like them. The knurling and satin finish is cool.
Good German steel is just as good or better than Snap-on in certain applications.

Same kind of finish as Proto ASD combination wrenches.

 

[drtyler]

The fine tooth ratchets from Hazet are pretty decent in 3/8 & 1/2 drive size with the Facom type design. Heads are quite a bit thicker than the comparable Snap On F80 & S80 though.

The Hazet sockets are really nice. The knurling is really useful, especially in 1/4" sizes when you are trying to turn them with your fingers in tight spaces (under the dash, for example).

The 600LG wrenches are good wrenches, just too bad they aren't available in all the sizes. Fine for Euro stuff, but some of the missing sizes would be helpful when working on modern Ford & GM cars.

 

[ToolNuttt]

Good luck on warranting a Snap On if you are a regular person without a relationship with a truck.

Yeah I have my fair share of bad experience with SO dealers. I drop them off at a tool store I go to that has a relationship with the owner. I guess the owner of the store makes a cut of all the SO stuff that they sell for the dealer.