Was SK always American made?

[uoficowboy]

I was thinking about picking up some SK wrenches. I want to ensure they're American made, however. Didn't SK ship production overseas at some point? I understand they're all American made now - but aren't there some non American SK tools out there as well from a few years back? If so - how do you identify them? I see a number of SK wrenches on Ebay that do not say what country they're made in, which frequently is a bad sign!

Thank you!

 

[Super Sport]

I don't believe SK ever imported standard combination wrenches, but they did import some tools. Mostly from France when they were owned by Facom, but I believe some ratcheting wrenches were made in Asia.

 

[3baygarage]

For the most part, yes. Most things will say USA.

Those G pro ratcheting wrenches were imports. I never owned any to comment on the quality.

Some 3/4 sockets were made in France by Facom I believe.

 

[nelstomlinson]

I believe that the old SK Toughone ratchets were made in France? They had some other things made overseas too, but the Toughone ratchets are the only thing I remember for sure.

 

[uoficowboy]

Specifically I want combination wrenches. Were those ever made in Asia? Western Europe is OK with me...

For example - some SK wrenches say "USA" on them but some don't.

 

[1982fxr]

Specifically I want combination wrenches. Were those ever made in Asia? Western Europe is OK with me...

For example - some SK wrenches say "USA" on them but some don't.

I'm guessing the ones in the 2nd link say USA on the other side...

 

[3baygarage]

Pretty sure all non ratcheting combos have always been USA, be it the polished ones you linked or the raised panel style.

 

[sk farmer]

I believe that the old SK Toughone ratchets were made in France? They had some other things made overseas too, but the Toughone ratchets are the only thing I remember for sure.

tough one was made in usa as all ratchets were, even the palm control.

as said, a few 3/4 sockets, the old g pro ratcheting wrenches, some pliers some screwdrivers, both ratcheting and solid handle and the old sure grip hard handle screwdrivers. most of it french and taiwan made.

 

[Fedwrench]

I believe that the old SK Toughone ratchets were made in France? They had some other things made overseas too, but the Toughone ratchets are the only thing I remember for sure.

No. The tuff one ratchets were US made.

Aside from the items branded FACOM but, sold through SK distributors, the only other things imported but, branded SK were the G pro Series of ratcheting wrenches from Taiwan (great wrenches by the way), the French made green rectangular handled screwdrivers, and later multi component screwdrivers with green and black handles from Slovenia.

The core SK hardline has always been made in the USA. just look for the three little letters USA on each wrench if you're worried about it.

 

[bonneyman]

S-K made some of the professional wrench sets for Craftsman, and the reputation on those is pretty good. Don't know their COO, though.
If you want S-K quality you might want to open up your search to tools like them.

 

[vssjim]

Wrenches always US made only imports were some France made screwdrivers, e torx wrenches and old Gpro ratcheting wrenches Taiwan and very large sockets Facom from France some years only, Tough one ratchets were made in US using Facom design as a side note.

 

[uoficowboy]

OK one more question on SK combo wrenches. Some of them look just like vintage Craftsman wrenches. Others look more like SK's modern offerings.

This suggests that the Craftsman wrenches that look like that were actually made by SK? Any preference between the old raised/Craftsman style and the newer smooth style?

 

[1982fxr]

OK one more question on SK combo wrenches. Some of them look just like vintage Craftsman wrenches. Others look more like SK's modern offerings.

This suggests that the Craftsman wrenches that look like that were actually made by SK? Any preference between the old raised/Craftsman style and the newer smooth style?

I think that's just a style coincidence. I could be wrong.

In later years Craftsman industrial full polish were made by SK.

 

[Fedwrench]

OK one more question on SK combo wrenches. Some of them look just like vintage Craftsman wrenches. Others look more like SK's modern offerings.

This suggests that the Craftsman wrenches that look like that were actually made by SK? Any preference between the old raised/Craftsman style and the newer smooth style?

No, NO, NO!!! SK never made Craftsman raised panel wrenches.

If you were to place a craftsman raised panel wrench beside an older SK professional series wrench, you would see that the only thing the wrenches have in common is that they're both silver

The SK was more refined, the raised panel wasn't as pronounced, and it had better balance. The SK professional series went out of production several years ago. they were good wrenches for their time but, lacked modern features like off corner engagement on the boxed end.

You would be better served with the current SK superchrome series of combination wrenches that are available in different lengths and a wide range of sizes that feature off corner engagement on the boxed ends.

 

[bobcatdan]

Standard issue SK was always USA. When they buddied up with Facom, certain things from Facom got mixed in that were made in France. Most not out of that would have been screwdrivers. Some odder specialty wrenches. In the end days of the old SK, the ratcheting wrenches they introduced were Taiwan. My guess there is SK was already hurting to spend the money to develop and tool up to make them themselves. I do have the double box sets and they are very nice. I have used them for over 10 years now and haven't broke one. Can't say that for my GW.

 

[uoficowboy]

No, NO, NO!!! SK never made Craftsman raised panel wrenches.

If you were to place a craftsman raised panel wrench beside an older SK professional series wrench, you would see that the only thing the wrenches have in common is that they're both silver

The SK was more refined, the raised panel wasn't as pronounced, and it had better balance. The SK professional series went out of production several years ago. they were good wrenches for their time but, lacked modern features like off corner engagement on the boxed end.

You would be better served with the current SK superchrome series of combination wrenches that are available in different lengths and a wide range of sizes that feature off corner engagement on the boxed ends.

Got it. So are all the smooth looking SK wrenches the same ("superchrome"), or are there some that are better?

 

[nelstomlinson]

tough one was made in usa as all ratchets were, even the palm control.

I thought the tuffone ratchets were discontined during the bankruptcy and change of ownership because they were made by Facom. They must have been a Facom design that the new SK doesn't have rights to?

I wonder why they haven't brought back their roto ratchet. That they must have rights to!

 

[dutchgray]

There was some French made SK circlip pliers as well and Italian made external torx wrenches.

 

[dnschmidt]

The best tool S-K ever sold was the double offset ratcheting box wrench set they imported from Taiwan (KABO).

 

[bonneyman]

The SK professional series went out of production several years ago. they were good wrenches for their time but, lacked modern features like off corner engagement on the boxed end....

I didn't know that. Too bad - that Sure Grip of theirs looked like it worked well.

 

[mikebaker1129]

I thought the tuffone ratchets were discontined during the bankruptcy and change of ownership because they were made by Facom. They must have been a Facom design that the new SK doesn't have rights to?

I wonder why they haven't brought back their roto ratchet. That they must have rights to!

My guess is, Stanley owns the rights to the Tuff 1 , it was based on the Facom palm control ratchet when SK was owned by Facom. Stanley purchased Facom . SK must have worked out some sort of agreement with Stanley, rebuild kits were discontinued for a while,but are available from SK at the moment,but the Ratchets themselves are not.
Some Tuff1 parts are available from Member ULTGAR.

 

[bimmer630]

Craftsman professional wrenches were made by SK..In the USA When Sk shut down (before Ideal bought them out) I believe it was partly because they lose their contract with craftsman to make their wrenches and (some?) sockets..(Cman wanted to go asian) But this was just a story that a tool truck driver told me, So who knows.

As far as the Tuff1, Stanley does have that head design now, since Facom is now a part of Stanley. I have a proto 1/4” (owned by SBD) with that head.. and also an older favor 1/2” ratchet with the same deal.

Also a pic of one of my KABO sk g pro wrenches, next to the “platinum” equivalent

 

[Farmall450]

S-K made some of the professional wrench sets for Craftsman, and the reputation on those is pretty good. Don't know their COO, though.
If you want S-K quality you might want to open up your search to tools like them.

They were USA

 

[bob15]

Specifically I want combination wrenches. Were those ever made in Asia? Western Europe is OK with me...

For example - some SK wrenches say "USA" on them but some don't.

if you question the second set, ask the seller if it says USA on the flip side. My bet would be yes

 

[Super Sport]

Wrenches always US made only imports were some France made screwdrivers, e torx wrenches and old Gpro ratcheting wrenches Taiwan and very large sockets Facom from France some years only, Tough one ratchets were made in US using Facom design as a side note.

I have some SK E-torx wrenches that are stamped Italy. I was thinking they were France when I posted my first comment but I just checked. I've always assumed they were Facom-sourced but I've never looked into it.

 

[paulsomlo]

My guess is, Stanley owns the rights to the Tuff 1 , it was based on the Facom palm control ratchet when SK was owned by Facom. Stanley purchased Facom . SK must have worked out some sort of agreement with Stanley, rebuild kits were discontinued for a while,but are available from SK at the moment,but the Ratchets themselves are not.

Tuff1 rebuild kits from SK?