Random SK find

[victor252]

I just noticed that the made in China SK adjustables are $42 list price with the old USA models (factory seconds?) still prices at $8. I guess the new owners think they can get a lot of brand recognition out of the SK label.

For now, my money's with the Japanese Lobster brand. Noticeably less slop, with a pointed jaw for hard to reach areas, and excess steel cut away from the handle. Their 10" weighs as much as the SK 8". Has anyone left a review on these? The ones on the SK website are 4 or 5 stars.

 

[four.cycle]

^ Lobster and Irega apparently still make a decent adjustable, based on comments from members here who have bought them.
I have an old - OLD - Lobster 8-inch that works just dandy.
I've never had an Irega in hand so I cannot speak to those.

 

[Etchase]

The Jamestown Crescent wrenches didn’t have springs either, but some others do. I guess the springs were introduced to quiet the rattle. The springs are functional in the Proto clik-stops. These SK seem to be typical WF quality. The less then tight jaw sure makes them easy to use and doesn’t effect performance. The jaws are parallel. The gap is less than a millimeter. The pin is pressed in like many are. I like the current Taiwan Proto best. They have screw in pins, if that’s important.

 

[bas157]

^ Lobster and Irega apparently still make a decent adjustable, based on comments from members here who have bought them.
I have an old - OLD - Lobster 8-inch that works just dandy.
I've never had an Irega in hand so I cannot speak to those.

I've got a few Irega which are really nice and smooth. I've got some branded as Irega and a few branded as ChannelLock 'Code Blue' wrenches

 

[finn]

I have a deep down hatred for all adjustable wrenches, whether it be the two dollar imports to the Crescents, Protos, Diamonds and probably a half dozen other brands in my possession from the forties, fifties and sixties.

The only jobs I regularly teach a “Crescent” wrench for is to adjust the upper link on the tractor three point and to bend metal when fabricating something.

I know it’s an unnatural loathing, but it’s real for me.

 

[terrific]

I have a deep down hatred for all adjustable wrenches, whether it be the two dollar imports to the Crescents, Protos, Diamonds and probably a half dozen other brands in my possession from the forties, fifties and sixties.

The only jobs I regularly teach a “Crescent” wrench for is to adjust the upper link on the tractor three point and to bend metal when fabricating something.

I know it’s an unnatural loathing, but it’s real for me.

From my experience, most people agree with you. I do use 4" adjustables somewhat often because you don't actually have to use them very much. One turn counter clockwise and then the bolts are so small that you can spin them out. Otherwise adjustables are like "external" pry bars. 10/12" gets a lot of use because you can put some leverage on them to straighten out bent parts, and they still fit in most places. I don't often use 6/8".