Koken News!

[Frankstools]

Hello everyone, Koken Tools is coming to North America in a big way. I just found out yesterday that Koken Japan is currently building a large distribution network in USA. Expect quick availability of their entire line of fine tools. Stay tuned. Frank

 

[Sick Puppy]

Is it anything to do with jchase63 in this thread? I remember him mentioning something about a koken outlet in the USA (post 22).

Koken Sockets and South Bay Tools

 

[Frankstools]

Yes, I think so!

 

[48548]

Nice, I wonder if there will be any GarageJournal Discounts,

 

[Theloniousmonk]

that's cool - indie tool truck guy in area sells koken - i guess he just started... I have not priced pieces though.

 

[48548]

Besides when I have gotten them on close out prices, they were close enough to Snapon for me and I chose snapon for the warranty, but if they were closer to toptul prices I would buy more of the stuff in a heartbeat!!!!! I have close to 1000$ dollars worth of koken stuff at close out prices and it is great, I would recommend anyone to try it. Just hoping the prices are really good.

 

[tatra]

nothing wrong with koken..........seen them abused and come out no worse for wear...........wonder if canada will benefit ?.......

 

[AficanToolman]

Hope they will have online availability, then we all can order Koken through the USA

 

[haloghalog]

Well we're actually selling Koken in the US, in fact we just went live today!! We have limited selection at this time but we can get whatever we want based on demand. I posted about levelchrome in the vendor section!

 

[bchee]

We need a good, functional website where you can order with a credit card, that has pictures and part numbers and a shopping cart and shows availability, etc.

And of course we need a GJ member discount, especially for a brand that doesn't have as much exposure at this time.

Pretty please.

 

[haloghalog]

bchee...that's exactly what we got! www.levelchrome.com the only thing missing is the GJ member discount. I'll see if I can pull it off!!

 

[bchee]

bchee...that's exactly what we got! www.levelchrome.com the only thing missing is the GJ member discount. I'll see if I can pull it off!!

Nice
I only see 17 Koken items though
http://www.levelchrome.com/KOKEN-_bymfg_3-1-1.html

I assume that will continue to grow.

 

[haloghalog]

Correct, only the most common items for now, and should grow in the coming months.

 

[dede2897234]

haloghalog,

Is every Japanese hand tool listed on your website in stock?


Thanks,

Dave

 

[haloghalog]

Yes, everything is in stock! If it's out of stock it will show next to the stock availability: OUT OF STOCK, and it won't let you order it. It's all in our Dallas warehouse at this time.

Thanks,

Alan

 

[Frankstools]

To all interested Koken Customers, the Koken stock is currently being built up in the USA and should be available to customers in North America (to likely include Canada and Mexico)per contact with the USA distributor... stay tuned

 

[Frankstools]

Sure, keep in touch!! Frank

 

[UK Steve]

Hi Frank

Can you give an idea of prices in $, € or Yen.
I saw these early last year at the fair in Colone. They are made to a very high standard with lots of inovations, and they are 100% made in Japan.

 

[ramtuff]

bchee...that's exactly what we got! www.levelchrome.com the only thing missing is the GJ member discount. I'll see if I can pull it off!!

This is getting bookmarked. Those wooden handled Vessel screwdrivers are very nice looking. I may have to try a couple of them out.

http://www.levelchrome.com/Vessel-100-Wood-55x75-Flat-Tip-Tang-Thru-Screwdriver_p_199.html



By the way, I really hate, hate, hate websites that have right-click disabled. I like to right click on different products and open them in new tabs so I can easily compare them. You can't do that with your site. Any plans to change that?

 

[american lockpicker]

Interesting.

 

[SMKS]

By the way, I really hate, hate, hate websites that have right-click disabled. I like to right click on different products and open them in new tabs so I can easily compare them. You can't do that with your site. Any plans to change that?

+100!

That website and Ultimate Garage are maddening for me to use because I can't open things in new tabs.

 

[haloghalog]

Alright ramtuff you got it! Right click has been enabled, enjoy! By the way I should mention, and not trying to sound like a salesman, but prices specifically on Supertool and Vessel products are marked up a very small amount, as it's an incentive to get consumers to try these brands, since most people here in the States haven't heard of them before.

 

[ricleh]

Those are good prices and I hope to see more availability in the future. I placed a small order yesterday. Looking forward to receiving the tools.

 

[ramtuff]

Alright ramtuff you got it! Right click has been enabled, enjoy! By the way I should mention, and not trying to sound like a salesman, but prices specifically on Supertool and Vessel products are marked up a very small amount, as it's an incentive to get consumers to try these brands, since most people here in the States haven't heard of them before.

Thanks. Are you going to be adding other manufacturers as well, or focus on expanding the lines of your current list? The products you have on there now look very nice, and as you said, the pricing is very enticing.

 

[haloghalog]

The company is really going in both directions, the important thing is getting the most unique and innovative tools, stuff that you probably haven't seen but once you see it you've got to have it. My personal favorite being the Asahi LVR ratchets which are half the weight of a regular ratchet. Oh, and the Keiba FC line of pliers which has gun metal at the pivot, ensuring it won't rust and always operates smoothly.

 

[JayL]

I will not be surprised that when this happens Koken Online prices in the USA will be cheaper than the local prices here in the Philippines.

 

[ramtuff]

I forgot to ask...what are the manufacturer's warranties like, if any? And would warranties claims be processed by your company or would we deal directly with the manufacturer?

 

[haloghalog]

Unfortunately that’s one area we can’t support at this time. Any warranty claim would need to be done through the manufacturer. We’re finding that most don’t really offer warranty, however Keiba does have a lifetime warranty on their pliers, but I couldn’t tell you what it’s like to deal with them on such matters.

 

[X1 Mike]

haloghalog are there any JIS screwdrivers available on your site? I would really like to stop stripping screws on motorcycle carb floatbowls once and for all.

 

[haloghalog]

Hi X1 Mike, yeah I knew this question would come up, and as you know it’s been discussed on GJ before. I can tell you from my research (not my experience) that Vessel’s 620 and 600 series which we carry are JIS design. We also carry Sunflag’s 888 which is supposed to be a JIS design. I’ve always understood that the Japanese manufacturers make their screwdrivers per the JIS design as that will fit both JIS and Phillips screws, however it doesn’t work the other way around. One other interesting one that you might consider is the Anex 3960, as this has serrations on the tip and they actually show it being used for a motorcycle repair in their catalog. Sorry I can’t give you a 100% clear answer on this hopefully others on here can.

 

[ricleh]

Hi X1 Mike, yeah I knew this question would come up, and as you know it’s been discussed on GJ before. I can tell you from my research (not my experience) that Vessel’s 620 and 600 series which we carry are JIS design. We also carry Sunflag’s 888 which is supposed to be a JIS design. I’ve always understood that the Japanese manufacturers make their screwdrivers per the JIS design as that will fit both JIS and Phillips screws, however it doesn’t work the other way around. One other interesting one that you might consider is the Anex 3960, as this has serrations on the tip and they actually show it being used for a motorcycle repair in their catalog. Sorry I can’t give you a 100% clear answer on this hopefully others on here can.

I have the Sunflag 888 set and it is definitely JIS. I also have several different Vessel screwdrivers and they are all JIS.

 

[dede2897234]

I have the Sunflag 888 set and it is definitely JIS. I also have several different Vessel screwdrivers and they are all JIS.

Ricleh,

Which Vessel screwdriver models do you own?

Through a Google search, I found an individual's comments stated in the following radio controlled helicopter forum mentioning that the cross recess tips on the Vessel Megadora screwdrivers are not JIS but conform to ISO standards:
http://rc.runryder.com/helicopter/t256687p1/. He also said that the other cross recess screwdriver models in Vessel's lineup conform to JIS standards (ex: "600" and "620" series).


Dave

 

[ricleh]

Ricleh,

Which Vessel screwdriver models do you own?

Through a Google search, I found an individual's comments stated in the following radio controlled helicopter forum mentioning that the cross recess tips on the Vessel Megadora screwdrivers are not JIS but conform to ISO standards:
http://rc.runryder.com/helicopter/t256687p1/. He also said that the other cross recess screwdriver models in Vessel's lineup conform to JIS standards (ex: "600" and "620" series).


Dave

I have the Vessel 910 series in Phillips sizes 00, 0 and 1. I also have Vessel Phillips hex bit drivers in sizes 00, 0, 1 and 2. Read the discussion on JIS and DIN 5260 on RJRCoolTools. I have found RJRCoolTools to be very well informed. My hex bits fit JIS fasteners as well as my various JIS type Japanese manufactured screwdrivers and apparently they are DIN 5260. I don't currently have any Vessel Megadora screwdrivers, but I have ordered some. I will let you know how they compare to my other JIS screwdrivers as far as fitment goes.

 

[volpster31]

UH-OH....... looks like the website accepts paypal....i can see my balance slowly shrinking already

 

[Frankstools]

Hi Frank

Can you give an idea of prices in $, € or Yen.
I saw these early last year at the fair in Colone. They are made to a very high standard with lots of inovations, and they are 100% made in Japan.

Steve, let me know what you are interested in and I can give you an exact quote. Thanks for your interest. Frank

 

[bchee]

Frank what is your website?

 

[Frankstools]

Hello, I am working on it and finding not as easy as I thought. But with that said, I can sell anything in the Koken line

 

[48548]

I think this was the site.

http://www.frankstools.com/info.html

 

[ricleh]

Hello, I am working on it and finding not as easy as I thought. But with that said, I can sell anything in the Koken line

You're doing a good job Frank. Hang in there.

 

[ramtuff]

Unfortunately that’s one area we can’t support at this time. Any warranty claim would need to be done through the manufacturer. We’re finding that most don’t really offer warranty, however Keiba does have a lifetime warranty on their pliers, but I couldn’t tell you what it’s like to deal with them on such matters.

Thanks for taking the time to answer all my questions. I need more screwdrivers like I need another hole in the head, but I just had to have those wooden handled Vessels. I found a few other items I wanted to try out too, so I just put a small order in. Thanks!