Is that like snapon and the symbols?....... odd...
Ko-ken Tools -- What Makes this Brand Special !?!?
- Thread starter superautobacs
- Start date
2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
All of my koken extensions are satin.
Do you have an example photo? Every time I have seen a Ko-ken extension in a non-official photo or video, they shaft is brushed chrome. I think the only ones that are satin on the shaft are the very shortest extensions or the extra long extension sockets.
You are correct, brushed chrome. Although I can see how some might consider 'brushed chrome' and 'satin' interchangeable. But there is a difference as you pointed out.
So it's a fairly rough surface? Not a criticism that's what I prefer. As for brushed vs satin I can't find much difference. I know brushed is basically parallel scratched in a chrome but how do they achieve the satin?
The brushed texture is pretty smooth and looks shiny at a distance but you can see faint lines up close and feel a slight catch on your skin. It also doesn't reflect quite like a polished surface. Maybe more obvious on the larger diameter extensions.
The satin I was referring to is more of a fine sand cast texture and is rougher than the brushed chrome, same stuff that's around the base of their sockets.
Dave455
Well-known member
I would describe them (certainly mine) as polished.
Not “mirror” polished like KTC Nepros, but definitely more polished than say Stahlwille (which I would describe as satin) or Hazet (which I would describe as matte with polished highlights).
It’s not impossible that there are variations over time. Most of my KoKen extensions are probably 15 years old. Mine look to be a slightly higher polish than those above.
Here are some photos of mine compared to some other satin/matte tools. As others have said, the Koken extensions have more of a brushed finish compared to brands like Toptul or Stahlwille.
I really like OEM Tool's socket design.
n8n
Well-known member
I have a few very old S-K sockets with a ring of knurling around them and find that helpful. I wonder why that feature fell out of favor?
G1GRANDEUR
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 22, 2009
- Messages
- 2,094
I have their lug nut sockets. it has very good fit, compare to other major brands.
toyota lug nuts tend to twist or out of shape with bad fit sockets, but not with koken.
from now on I will only use koken lug nut sockets.
toyota lug nuts tend to twist or out of shape with bad fit sockets, but not with koken.
from now on I will only use koken lug nut sockets.
Thanks for taking photos i appreciate it the work. Especially comparing it to other finishes.Here are some photos of mine compared to some other satin/matte tools. As others have said, the Koken extensions have more of a brushed finish compared to brands like Toptul or Stahlwille.
Thanks everyone for chiming in, looks like the Koken will work well for my needs.
dnschmidt
Well-known member
To answer the original question that was asked in the first post. Nothing in particular than I've seen. They make sockets and they make ratchets. I find neither of these "special." Their tools do turn nuts and bolts just like Gearwrench, Williams, Proto, Nupros, Hazet, Gedore, Stahlwille and every other ratchet or socket I've ever used. Call me jaded if you must.
Deep knurling isn't easy to mass produce so I assume that's why most manufacturers don't go for that.
Must say the Toptul finish seems the most consistent.
demarpaint
Well-known member
They make nice tools, I have a few of their ratchets and sockets. Having said that comparing their ratchets to Nepros, I'd go with Nepros, even at their higher price. JMO.
Last edited:
2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
Aside from the best knurling - it's the price.
I wore down my 15yo plus craftsman USA 3/8 sockets to where they have zero markings whatsoever. Just round tubes of socket. No stampings either, which is annoying if I have 6 sockets sitting randomly on a cart while working.
I bought a Japanese made replacment set for like $65. I think koken makes a quality product. But it's the price that sets them way apart.
dnschmidt
Well-known member
2nd Gear. You mean the HIGH price? Well, if that's the criterion for making something "so special" we're kick their Japanese asses again: WE HAVE SNAP-ON. Take that losers.
2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
Eh, snap on has inferior knurling and is 4 times the price.
I thought 65 buck was a good price for first world production. Cheaper than proto.
Madjik Man
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 3, 2015
- Messages
- 1,533
Their Zeal sockets have the absolute lowest tolerances I’ve ever experienced.
Craftsman socket on a Craftsman ratchet: might as well be a wobble set up.
Tekton socket on Tekton/Capri/Icon/Snap On ratchet: better but still a lot of lateral slop.
Koken Zeal socket on any of those ratchets above: barely any slop.
Koken Zeal on a Koken ratchet: be prepared to have your garage filled with the golden glow of heavenly light, soft harp music and a few doves flying by.
Hell, a Tekton socket on a Koken ratchet is very good too.
The anvils on Koken ratchets have extremely low wiggle. And as everyone express here, the ratchets have insanely low back drag.
The only complaint I have is the comfort grip on their ratchets are too short in length for my XL hands. But their non comfort grip ratchets are incredibly comfortable.
I love Koken tools.
Craftsman socket on a Craftsman ratchet: might as well be a wobble set up.
Tekton socket on Tekton/Capri/Icon/Snap On ratchet: better but still a lot of lateral slop.
Koken Zeal socket on any of those ratchets above: barely any slop.
Koken Zeal on a Koken ratchet: be prepared to have your garage filled with the golden glow of heavenly light, soft harp music and a few doves flying by.
Hell, a Tekton socket on a Koken ratchet is very good too.
The anvils on Koken ratchets have extremely low wiggle. And as everyone express here, the ratchets have insanely low back drag.
The only complaint I have is the comfort grip on their ratchets are too short in length for my XL hands. But their non comfort grip ratchets are incredibly comfortable.
I love Koken tools.
toddmorr
Well-known member
Special??? Ymmv. But without a doubt they are differentiated--no other knurling comes close, back drag best of breed, plenty durable, good price.
Some real innovation here and there too, like the double joint universal..
Some real innovation here and there too, like the double joint universal..
2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
I love that tight interface. Using their extensions with most other brand sockets is all wobbly. You don't notice this until you mate two of their products together and they're dead tight. In fairness a lot of my.sockets are very worn. But even my Zeal sockets are worn on the male and female ends, and the fit is great.
Now that feature can be a detriment depending on what you're doing. Sometimes I'll use two extensions instead of one longer one so I can have a slight bend in the center where they meet each other to clear an obstruction. In fairness, that situation is much more rare then benefiting from good clearances.
I much enjoyed my new 3/8 sockets today. I didn't realize how much I was being annoyed by lack of undercut on the sockets above 12mm, much easier to remove.
Don't worry, my used Snap On FDX sockets laughed at the brand new koken sockets today. Nut started as a 13, I removed with an air hammer and a 10mm, off of an m8 stud. LOL
dnschmidt
Well-known member
NO, I don't. And don't need any either. I will admit do have a personal grudge against Koken. At SEMA they asked me to carry their products and I agreed to do that. Three weeks later I ask them what the deal is, no reply. A month later they tell me that they changed their mind. Well **** 'em. I've got all of the TOPTUL sockets I'll ever need in this lifetime and likely the next and they have never failed me. Other than their ratchets, which people claim are wonderful, how much more wonderful does it get compared to Snap-On and Matco particularly with the flex head which is what I primarily use. Frankly, I like the ICON 3/8" long flex head A LOT. I do have a Nupros ratchet and it's very pretty. I don't know if it will turn a nut or a bolt better than anybody else's ratchet and since I have about 8 cordless Milwaukee ratchets and I've just bought a DeWalt 12V extended ratchet just for the hell of it I don't use regular ratchets all that much. And, as I've mentioned many times I have a great stash of original Williams, when it was an independent company and not part of SNA, B52 and B54 ratchets which I still maintain were the best ratchets ever made.I wonder if Denny owns any Ko-ken sockets/ratchets
Lol, got it.
Were you speaking to Ko-ken (the Japanese company) or "Koken USA" (the independent dealer, same operation as palmac.net)? I'd bet it was the latter.
Sounds like you haven't really used them? The main things that differentiate them in my opinion are:
Innovation and variety. By focusing just on socketry, they can do this really well and have a much larger catalog than any of the other brands you mention. Very solid quality across the board and lots of specialty items and practical solutions that you don't see from other brands.
The machining on their square drives (both ends) provides a much more solid connection without wobble or rattling. Not super important for every application but it is quite nice when it comes to T-handles, nut drivers, screwdriver bits, etc.
Price. Most of their stuff is darned affordable compared to equivalents from other high-end companies and almost guaranteed to be comparable in quality if not technically superior.
General Geoff
Well-known member
Koken's "killer app" is their wobble-fix extensions with that sweet, sweet deep knurling. I do like their ratchets too, particularly the new 72-tooth ZEAL ones, but they're not magical or anything. Just good ratchets.
***** that Koken USA snubbed you like that. Doesn't sound like the parent company from Japan doing that. Correct me if I'm wrong, of course.
dnschmidt
Well-known member
Correct.
oldschoolcraft
Well-known member
theres a couple koken sockets I need. Since I’ll be buying some stuff, I figured I’d look at the rest of their catalog for interesting things.
most of this thread is 10 years old. Is there anything these days in 2023 that koken makes thats still unique and worth looking at for someone who already has standard tools from quality tool makers?
most of this thread is 10 years old. Is there anything these days in 2023 that koken makes thats still unique and worth looking at for someone who already has standard tools from quality tool makers?
Chrome Vanadium Cody
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jul 25, 2021
- Messages
- 663
My vote is Z series universals and double universals. Not cheap but for their purpose they just work better than anything else I’ve found out there.
CHI_Tool&Die
Well-known member
The spark plug sockets with the brass spring inserts are awesome. The Z Series are thin and you can buy the standard brass spring sockets already attached permanently to an extension. I really love those items.
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Depending on what you work on: nut grip sockets, particularly 1/4 drive swivels for hard to reach items. their wobble plus type extensions with the ridges of knurling around the female square drive end are amazing. if you have a need for super short sockets, look no further than the Zeal shallows in 1/4 & 3/8 drive. Their attack driver hand impact driver is worth a look. I'm fond of their spinning cross wrench for changing tires. Yeah, a cordless impact is quicker but, also takes the fun out of it. Spark plug sockets with the integrated extension. Deep Nut Twister impact sockets for removing damaged lug nuts. Quick spinner adapters. you can go from 1/4 square drive female to 1/2 drive male with a nice knurled ring in the middle. They've recently expanded their 72 tooth ratchet selections adding 1/4 & 1/2 drive with quick release options. Some peeps rave about their low back drag and they probably have the lowest back drag of any ratchet but, I find their ratchet heads to be on the thick side, and their comfort grip handles on the Zeal series should be longer and narrower but, that's just me. These are my Ko-Ken favorites off the top of my head.
one alibi: the 1/4 drive flexible extension bar is a work of art.
And pair it with the Ko-ken 2120 1/4" magnetic head, added utility.
Reed Prince
Well-known member
I can provide a photo of a few of those items.
- 1/4" wobble plus extensions
- spark plug socket
- 1/4" double universal
- 1/4" and 3/8" flexible extensions
- 3/8" nut grip sockets
- 1/4" Zeal sockets (displayed below standard 1/4")
- 1/4" wobble plus extensions
- spark plug socket
- 1/4" double universal
- 1/4" and 3/8" flexible extensions
- 3/8" nut grip sockets
- 1/4" Zeal sockets (displayed below standard 1/4")