Hoppe Super - Quality or junk?

[thetreshon]

**** EDIT - finally added pictures of what I have several posts below ****

I've inherited a few Hoppe Sockets sockets, and always see a lot of this brand at local pawnshops.

But mine and the ones I see around are all cheap looking and have flaking chome, or cracking.

Where were these made (none have COO on them)?

For quality, what other brands would you compare them to - U.S. or Canadian brand comparisons?

 

[thetreshon]

P.S. I've always avoided using them, preferring to use my Gray, SK or newly aquired Snap On...

 

[thetreshon]

Bump

 

[lbgradwell]

Can you post photos?

One sees Hoppe Stillson-pattern pipe wrenches quite often at flea markets, garage sales, etc. around here. Their products are usually marked "Germany". I've never seen sockets.

I've tried to find information on the brand a few times over the years without success. Although I don't know anything about the company, they must have been widely available (at least in Canada) at one time.

 

[Mario]

Hey, searching on google, "Hoppe Super socket" brought Garage Journal as my first hit.

When my uncle died I received as a "souvenir" an Hoppe Super 3/8 ratchet/socket kit in the original blue metal box. Inside the box is written "Hoppe Super, Ontario, Canada". I never did learn if it was imported or made in Canada. Anybody knows?

Recently my father bought a few "Hoppe Super" sockets at a yard sale. Only the second time I ever saw that name on handtools...

 

[lbgradwell]

Photos please, Mario!

 

[Mario]

Here it is!

The ratchet look like a cheap one but it feels really smooth and solid. I used it a few times without problem.

 

[lbgradwell]

Very interesting. Thanks Mario!

 

[thetreshon]

Okay, FINALLY posting pictures of my el-cheapo Hoppe sockets - took these a while ago, then couldn't find them on my camera...

Again, sorry for insane delay...

Alot of the ones I've seen in pawnshops look a lot worse...

 

[Jazz1]

I'll drag up this old thread. I got a HOPPE socket set box at the Restore for a kings ransom. Definitely heavier and better quality than your usual socket set tin. Rounded corners, wide hinges and heavy hasps but no sockets. The yankee screwdriver is stamped HOPPE made in Germany, the screwdriver came with another box a few years earlier. The box and screwdriver are high quality.