Koken or Toptul sockets

[jeff g]

Hi
I am going to get some new 6p sockets, 1/4 & 3/8 sd sets.
which one as the best quality tools ???


Has anybody used the toptul high-torque ratchet screwdriver
i like the look of it, but how dos it feel

any info thanks

jeff

 

[egfdevos]

Ko-ken

 

[Monte]

koken

 

[Rico.]

Hey Jeff,

That a really interesting short list from a fellow Brit. How did you get down to those two..?

Out of the two I would also go for Koken, but both Koken and Toptul are quite left
field choices here in the UK. Both are very good mid range choices and some would put
Koken up on the top quality level.

Other choices for top level stuff here in blighty are...

Facom
Stahlwille
Briltool (made in England)
King ****
Hazet
Snap On
Beta

Out of those, I would go for Facom due to the good prices here.


Other good mid range choices are...

Sealey Premier (some is rubbish, sockets are good and nice prices)
Draper Expert
Signet (Same as Halfords Advanced, but available in 6 point)
Britool Expert
Gearwrench (Prices seem a bit high in England)
Teng (I hate the finish, but solid tools)


Toptul and Koken are every bit as good as any of these, but just
thought I'd share a few more choices with you if you haven't positively
decided yet.

 

[Dave455]

Ko Ken. No question about it!

There's a thread about Ko Ken on here somewhere which is worth reading!

I've got some and it's pretty good!

Yes, Snap On, Stahlwille and Hazet are a fraction better, but only a fraction!

King **** and Beta are really the mid range. Ko Ken are better than either! I speak from experience as I bought my first Ko Ken after buying a new King **** Whitworth set and being disappointed with the rough ratchet and overall quality of finish. Yes, King **** are tough, but so are Ko Ken!

The Sealey/Draper/Signet/Expert/Teng/whatever name is all made in Taiwan (probably in the same factory), all basically the same, and only pushed by retailers because they get a bigger mark up! Yes, it can get the job done, but without any pleasure in use! If you are on a budget, you can get much better tools, such as the King ****, for no more money!

If you're in Manchester, Consolodated Tools do pretty good deals on Ko Ken!

 

[mikebramel]

I don't think the other users have much experience with Toptul. I would put their tools against most any other

 

[jeff g]

Hi all thanks for the info.

Most of my new tools, in the last 2 years, are Snap-On, Bluepoint, Beta, Facom, Sealey & Mac. (All my old tools look like **** but still work, the new tools are for working on my bike, BMW 1200 GS & to look good)

I like Snap-On but not the price, i get them from eBay at a low price, but this takes time & some sets still need one or two bits.

I wanted some big sockets 25 mm + so i got some toptul ones 1/2 sd 20 mm to 32 mm, they are very good & the price is good as well.

I have a set of Facom 12 point 3/8 sd sockets & a set of Beta easy 6 point 3/8 sd.

The Toptul sockets are nicer than the Beta easy & look better quality.
The only socket that i have messed up in 40 years, was a chrome socket on a
impact gun. (was a crane eng for 40 years)

I think that the facom & beta sockets are made in the same factory, the spanners are.
40% of my tool are Facom, 10% Beta. The price for Toptul is 40 to 50% lower.
I think that you pay for the name & not the quality some times.

Toptul look & feel good quality & the price is right, but Kenko has a good write-up on the GJ, but the price is 20% higher.

The more i read the more i think that all tool manufacturer's are the same.
They buy a good name & run it down & sell it, or hide the coo of the manufacturer
The good tools are coming from the small up & coming manufacturer's & at the right price.
Snap-on have Bluepoint, but they all have a lower tool line for sale, with
a lifetime warranty.
But my hart says Snap-on but my wallet says Toptul or Kenko

ps
Has anybody used the toptul high-torque ratchet screwdriver
i like the look of it, but how dos it feel


jeff

 

[Dave455]

If you really like the Snap On, keep an eye out for the 'Specials' that often turn up on the vans! The deals in the U.K. can be fairly awesome - such as a wrench set at 1/2 list price, and probably something else chucked in as well! Most of the Snap On I own was acquired this way! There isn't always a mega deal though, and not every dealer gets them all either, so you need to keep checking!

Know what you mean about the tool companies, though this does seem to be a particularly American problem! Even when British firms have gone that way it often seems to be due to a U.S. buyout (Britool/Stanley, Record/Irwin for example).

Thankfully, Snap On don't seem to have done that, and neither do the German firms, so it might be worth considering Stahlwille and Hazet! If you like the smaller firms then I'd advise looking at Saltus. Only a small range, but really nice, and polished chrome too!

Finally, don't forget the Japanese! Nepros is up there close to Snap On and Ko Ken are not far behind, and the latter are much cheaper in the U.K.

 

[N.I.]

It seems your mind is fairly well made up.

Facom, Mac, Bluepoint and Toptul sockets are all made in Taiwan (and probably Beta Easy).

I can't understand why people pay extra for one Taiwanese brand over another.

If you are happy with Toptul then stick with them.

If you want something slightly better and can afford it then go for Koken.

All the top brands - Snap On, King ****, Hazet, Gedore, Elora, Stahlwille and Beta (Italy) are priced on a completely different level.