Wait, how can I tell which way the Cornwell is pointing...?Here's a picture illustrating moving the lever in the direction you want the fastener to turn:
That's a good reason to like the "rotate the lever the direction you want the fastener to turn". SK and Koken you have to rotate the OPPOSITE way.
That is one positive thing about it - hopefully going to England, it can avoid some of the madness.
Agreed, plus to me putting the socket on and giving it a spin just gets me in the groove, same as tapping the trigger on a drill with it pointed in the air as I’m bringing it over to whatever I’m about to drill a hole in.
I don't understand this comment, or rather the reasoning behind it. When I want the fastener to turn clockwise, I push the switch clockwise. Makes all the sense in the world. Other than the design of the mechanism is such that you have to make the design backwards, I don't understand why any manufacturer makes the backwards design. I would really like to like my Koken ratchet. Nice design, great workmanship, cheaper than Snap-on. But, the backwards selection lever makes it stay in the toolbox, shiny and new while the others get used. I only have two ratchets I use that are backwards, and that is because they're so good they're worth having to adjust the direction twice every time you use them. Those are old Indestro fine tooth flex heads, that have perfect balance and dimensions in 1/2" drive, better than any others I own or have used.
Nice ratchet, and I don't see the cost as a deal killer. For the low back drag and light weight and attention to detail, it certainly seems worth it for some applications, or just to have something really nice. If I could only overlook the selector lever direction design defect!
Here's a picture illustrating moving the lever in the direction you want the fastener to turn:
I appreciate that brother! I'm a ratchet guy, so a lot of consideration has gone into making it the best I possibly could.
These will begin shipping out the end of next week.
We're waiting to see how they're received before planning another run (of 1/4" drive at least).
I've been on both ends of the custom products market, Most of them in Titanium.
Should be a pretty good Wednesday for you if you like ratchets! Yours will be the first one in Europe.
Depends on customs holds and paying the duty and VAT on it.
Sounds like there's even more people with their hands out in the UK! Hopefully it escapes customs without issue...
You're not the only one! It's been a long wait (and process) - people are probably beginning to think I ran off with the money lol. There are actually 4 ratchets going out to VA tomorrow but not sure if they're yours or not.
£46.50 in fees, UPS won't deliver until you have paid
Honestly, that is insane. Not sure how they can justify that.
@dutchgray thanks brother! That's a hell of a compliment with the Koken comparison, they make a great ratchet (one of my favorites, honestly).
Glad you like it so far! It's almost strange to use the first couple times when you're not used to the weight yet.
Thanks brother! The positives of that knurled switch outweigh the negatives, I think at least. I wear out 5 mil nitrile gloves way too quickly even without the knurling...
Just an observation, from across the pond, but I’m starting to form the view that lightweight tools may well be the next big thing. Not, in any way as replacements for existing ones, but rather as additional tools for folks who need to be mobile.
I can think of very few people, say 20 or 30 years ago, who carried a lot of tools with them, but I can think of any number now who work out of backpacks or shoulder bags. Add to that the mobile service techs who want to work from a small vehicle, or the guys who need to travel by air, and it’s getting to be a lot.
Very few manufacturers address this need. Asahi, with their “lightool” range do to a degree
and I will be interested to see where KTC go with their “Next” concept, which I hope will evolve into a complete range
but both makers use conventional materials, and are only slightly lighter than their standard equivalents.
In the meantime, folks buy sets such as the Wera, a fair number of who do so because of the overall light weight, even tough the tiny bit ratchet with adaptor is far from optimum for driving sockets.
I watch events with interest. My only comment to the O.P. is to continue what you are doing. Projects such as this are invariably slow to get moving in the early stages, but provided the product is good (and I think yours probably is) sales will gather momentum as word spreads.
Ignore any negativity. A lot it will come from people who’ve never bought a costly / niche tool in their lives, and what they think doesn’t matter as they are not your customer base.
Keep your quality high, keep your paying customers happy, and all will come good!
I agree!
Oh man that's another nice one. Any plans on some type of 3/8 drive ratchet in Ti or other?@Dave455 thanks for the feedback! You have great taste in tools, and I hold your opinion in high regard.
There are a few "lightweight" options on the market, but nothing that goes to the extremes needed to make a real impact. Our Titanium ratchet is about HALF the mass of a normal ratchet. This is absolutely meaningful for some people.
It means you can either bring more tools, other equipment or just have half the weight to lug around.
From an old post of mine showing the point (early Aluminum 3/8" drive prototype):
I agree!
@Formerjeeper Man, what an awesome review/first impression. I really appreciate you taking time out of your day to post that up - it does mean a lot for a (super) small business...
That's what I was going for with that!
We have several 3/8" drive flex-head and fixed head ratchets (both full Titanium) but haven't planned a production run yet.
