KOKEN sockets?

[The Fall]

Someone earlier posted that they don't handle warranties. A socket less than a year old wasn't replaced when cracked.

 

[The Fall]

That's a deal breaker for me. Not to others. But I like having a warranty for hand tools, even if it's seldom used.

 

[giants]

I can't find the citation, but I read per Koken that you have to warranty Koken by sending it back to Japan.

Also, if the sockets/ratchets don't clearly say "made in Japan," they're made in a non-Japanese Asian country, eg Vietnam (can't find that citation either).

 

[giants]

Thanks. I set up an amazon.co.jp account. However, it would not accept my Visa credit card. American Express card worked. Go figure.

I got to the checkout page and it worked, asking me for current in US Dollars (USD) or Yen; I selected USD.

American Express told me that if amazon.co.jp processes the charge in Yen, they will charge me an extra 2.7%, but no charge if done in USD.

Anyone know whether amazon.co.jp will process the charge in USD or Yen if you select USD?

 

[Shark Pilot]

Koken sockets are cold forged versus most other brands which I believe are hot forged. They have a "stiff" feel as if there is basically zero flex. Definitely very nice, especially for the money. I paid around $45 for a 1/2" rail of regular metric sockets from a US supplier. Also have a 3/8" set of Zeal with the ratchet, universal and spinner. The Zeal has tighter tolerances than the ISO standards on both ends. Can be a pain to purchase but definitely worth it.

 

[jimmyin3D]

Thanks. I set up an amazon.co.jp account. However, it would not accept my Visa credit card. American Express card worked. Go figure.

I got to the checkout page and it worked, asking me for current in US Dollars (USD) or Yen; I selected USD.

American Express told me that if amazon.co.jp processes the charge in Yen, they will charge me an extra 2.7%, but no charge if done in USD.

Anyone know whether amazon.co.jp will process the charge in USD or Yen if you select USD?

I’ve always been charged in usd. You should be good.

 

[jimmyin3D]

Someone earlier posted that they don't handle warranties. A socket less than a year old wasn't replaced when cracked.

That's a deal breaker for me. Not to others. But I like having a warranty for hand tools, even if it's seldom used.

I feel you, most of my “main tools” are SO for that reason. However I do have 5 socket sets of Koken, it was so much cheaper than SO/Williams etc that if I did break something I could replace it quickly and cheaply.

I worked as a tech for several years and have broken exactly 1 socket that I was hammering onto a bolt so I really doubt I’ll break a socket again now that I don’t work on cars for a living.

Oh and I’m pretty sure that Frankstools will handle warranty if you bought from him, my Zeal sets are bought from him so I think I’ll be covered.

 

[Dave455]

I can't find the citation, but I read per Koken that you have to warranty Koken by sending it back to Japan.

Also, if the sockets/ratchets don't clearly say "made in Japan," they're made in a non-Japanese Asian country, eg Vietnam (can't find that citation either).

I wouldn’t get too worried about the warranty. If you ever find a KoKen socket with a genuine manufacturing defect I have no doubt they will replace it, and while I can’t speak for the U.S. I don’t doubt the U.K. importer would do that for you.

However... to my way of thinking a lot of people abuse these warranties. If they break a tool, ever, they claim a replacement. Well that’s o.k. but you are going to pay for that somehow. Here in the U.K. last time I checked, a KoKen ratchet was about a third of the cost of an equivalent Snap On tool!

I’ve also found that KoKen have probably the most consistent manufacturing quality of any manufacturer I’ve encountered. I’ve never had to return anything, or ever found the slightest fault!

As for being made elsewhere if it doesn’t say ‘Made in Japan’, well I suppose it could be, but every single, Socket, Ratchet or accessory I’ve ever bought clearly says ‘Made in Japan’. I believe the only things that are not Japanese are the screwdrivers!

 

[M6erfan]

Someone earlier posted that they don't handle warranties. A socket less than a year old wasn't replaced when cracked.

I can't find that post. I can tell you that I spoke to Ko-ken USA regarding warranty just a few months ago. They assured me that they would take care of any warranty issues. However, Ko-ken is not a "no questions asked" warranty replacer. If they determine that the tool was abused then you're out of luck. There have been posts from Snap-on users that experienced the same thing. Warranty denied due to abuse.

Also, the way I understand it, Ko-ken doesn't cover normal 'wear and tear" so they don't send out ratchet repair kits like candy bars either. I can see this as an issue for those that blow up sockets left and right or snap ratchet anvils like toothpicks on a regular basis.

 

[16again]

Just ordered them. Find out how nice they are in about 2 weeks when they get here.

I want the zeal I for sure. I've been buying a few things I don't need but have been handing off extras to relatives or friends, so that's how I justify it I guess. Might have to look up a translator for amazon.jp and order this set this week 50 dollars~ seems more than reasonable

https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B00CP4SUH4/

 

[16again]

Who is the US supplier, please.

Koken sockets are cold forged versus most other brands which I believe are hot forged. They have a "stiff" feel as if there is basically zero flex. Definitely very nice, especially for the money. I paid around $45 for a 1/2" rail of regular metric sockets from a US supplier. Also have a 3/8" set of Zeal with the ratchet, universal and spinner. The Zeal has tighter tolerances than the ISO standards on both ends. Can be a pain to purchase but definitely worth it.

 

[M6erfan]

...

Oh and I’m pretty sure that Frankstools will handle warranty if you bought from him, my Zeal sets are bought from him so I think I’ll be covered.

Frank doesn't carry the Ko-ken line any more, so I wouldn't count on him for warranty help.

 

[ToolPolisher]

Just ordered them. Find out how nice they are in about 2 weeks when they get here.

You won't be disappointed. Those paired with a Nepros NBRC390 has replaced my 1/4" drive tools while I can still use them with a standard length 3/8" ratchet. A win-win for cost and space while still holding the best quality, IMHO.

 

[jimmyin3D]

Frank doesn't carry the Ko-ken line any more, so I wouldn't count on him for warranty help.

No he doesn’t carry Koken anymore but said we he would still handle warranties through him. I’m not worried though, I can easily replace a socket from amazon JP.

 

[giants]

Koken sockets are cold forged versus most other brands which I believe are hot forged. They have a "stiff" feel as if there is basically zero flex. Definitely very nice, especially for the money. I paid around $45 for a 1/2" rail of regular metric sockets from a US supplier. Also have a 3/8" set of Zeal with the ratchet, universal and spinner. The Zeal has tighter tolerances than the ISO standards on both ends. Can be a pain to purchase but definitely worth it.

Those are great prices! What the seller's name?

 

[M6erfan]

No he doesn’t carry Koken anymore but said we he would still handle warranties through him. I’m not worried though, I can easily replace a socket from amazon JP.

Interesting. I emailed him a while ago when I first heard that he was no longer carrying Ko-ken but I never heard back. Hard to believe that he would warranty something he no longer carries.

 

[Shark Pilot]

Toolpan

 

[jimmyin3D]

Interesting. I emailed him a while ago when I first heard that he was no longer carrying Ko-ken but I never heard back. Hard to believe that he would warranty something he no longer carries.

Yeah he takes in the warranty but sends it straight to japan, so turnaround time might be a few weeks. I think he does that with most his tools though. It’s much easier for me to just buy a new piece from amazon.JP anyways.

 

[M6erfan]

^^^ Or just contact Koken USA...

 

[16again]

This is a very bad thread for me. Just got done ordering 1/4 drive zeal ratchet and matching metric sockets. AND... 3/8 drive zeal ratchet with matching metric sockets.
Next order will be the matching SAE sockets for both ratchets....

 

[Mr_B]

Warranty really no nig deal.
They will warranty obvious issues and did for me no bother (heavy chrome peal .
With Money saved over truck brands you can buy 2 replacements with price differences and koken socketry truly is quality tool and design .