Wera
- Thread starter Elvie84
- Start date
Dave455
Well-known member
Since they started making sockets, ratchets and suchlike. Those items have always been Taiwanese.
The screwdrivers, screwdriver bits and hex keys are made in the Czech Republic.
The screwdrivers, screwdriver bits and hex keys are made in the Czech Republic.
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
The chisel driver Screwdrivers I have were made in Germany. I also have pre color coded sockets and ratchets that were made in the Czech Republic and not Taiwan.
Dave455
Well-known member
Wera didn’t have a huge presence in the U.K. prior to the Kraftform screwdriver. They did sell some screwdrivers here, but they were one of many German manufacturers, and their original product line wasn’t very inspiring.
I can remember the screwdrivers that predated the Kraftform, and they aere better. They had a similar shape handle, but were made in either solid acetate, or I think polypropylene, depending on the grade. The acetate drivers were actually pretty decent and were sold into the electrical trade. They were German for sure.
I can remember seeing the first Kraftform screwdrivers, I think in probably the mid ‘90’s. I was never totally sold on them because of the soft grips. (I think the soft parts might have been even softer then). They were the 300 series, and were definitely made in the Czech Republic even then. I’ve seen a lot since, and all were Czech made. I have never seen a German made one. If Fedwrench has, I don’t doubt it, but I don’t think they are common.
Wera were always, to my thinking, a little bit deceptive about the origins. I can remember seeing packaging saying “German Engineered” or somesuch in big letters on the front, and “Made in Czech Republic” in small letters on the back. I don’t know why they bothered, since Czech engineering has quite a good reputation, and certainly much better than many places they could outsource to. I have some stainless Kraftform’s and the quality, both of the steel and the manufacturing of the blades, is pretty good.
I didn’t pay much attention when Wera first introduced their ratchets and sockets. Again, the soft handles on the ratchets put me off, but I can remember seeing the first Zyklop ratchets with the all steel handles and they were definitely Taiwanese. They were selling sets at the time, with those ratchets and some some sockets, which were also clearly marked “Taiwan”.
Taiwanese tools have come on big time since I’ve been buying. I can remember the Taiwanese tools of 30+ years ago and it was all dross. Maybe 20 years back you started to get some better stuff, and over the last few years some good stuff has been available.
I have a Wera 1/4” bit ratchet. It’s 100% Taiwanese, but it’s a decent tool. Superb design - narrow head, short handle and easy to hold in the screw with one finger. One of my favourites!
I don’t tell the other bit ratchets that I have favourites....
I can remember the screwdrivers that predated the Kraftform, and they aere better. They had a similar shape handle, but were made in either solid acetate, or I think polypropylene, depending on the grade. The acetate drivers were actually pretty decent and were sold into the electrical trade. They were German for sure.
I can remember seeing the first Kraftform screwdrivers, I think in probably the mid ‘90’s. I was never totally sold on them because of the soft grips. (I think the soft parts might have been even softer then). They were the 300 series, and were definitely made in the Czech Republic even then. I’ve seen a lot since, and all were Czech made. I have never seen a German made one. If Fedwrench has, I don’t doubt it, but I don’t think they are common.
Wera were always, to my thinking, a little bit deceptive about the origins. I can remember seeing packaging saying “German Engineered” or somesuch in big letters on the front, and “Made in Czech Republic” in small letters on the back. I don’t know why they bothered, since Czech engineering has quite a good reputation, and certainly much better than many places they could outsource to. I have some stainless Kraftform’s and the quality, both of the steel and the manufacturing of the blades, is pretty good.
I didn’t pay much attention when Wera first introduced their ratchets and sockets. Again, the soft handles on the ratchets put me off, but I can remember seeing the first Zyklop ratchets with the all steel handles and they were definitely Taiwanese. They were selling sets at the time, with those ratchets and some some sockets, which were also clearly marked “Taiwan”.
Taiwanese tools have come on big time since I’ve been buying. I can remember the Taiwanese tools of 30+ years ago and it was all dross. Maybe 20 years back you started to get some better stuff, and over the last few years some good stuff has been available.
I have a Wera 1/4” bit ratchet. It’s 100% Taiwanese, but it’s a decent tool. Superb design - narrow head, short handle and easy to hold in the screw with one finger. One of my favourites!
I don’t tell the other bit ratchets that I have favourites....
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I have bought several Wera sets last year alone, Several advent calendars over the years and other misc tools at misc times since ~2015 or so. all of them have said made in Czech on the box. If this isn't the case then wherever made them make above average tools.
Still not in love with the handles but I generally like the materials and finish. I buy sets when I think a set of theirs fits what i'm trying to set up better than what i already have, and haven't been super disappointed yet. The one notable exception is the Kratform Turbo, huge disappointment.
Still not in love with the handles but I generally like the materials and finish. I buy sets when I think a set of theirs fits what i'm trying to set up better than what i already have, and haven't been super disappointed yet. The one notable exception is the Kratform Turbo, huge disappointment.
I bought most of my first tools from Harbor Freight in the mid 1980s. At that time most of it was Taiwan; some Japan and Korea. The HF Taiwan stuff was really good; I don't use it much anymore, but I still have most of it and I'd put the quality up against today's Taiwan mfg. But for sure there was plenty of generic Taiwan **** also. Made in Japan was a joke in 1970; not so much today. Same with Taiwan.
G1GRANDEUR
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 22, 2009
- Messages
- 2,094
same thing for wiha, slowly turning into made in China/Taiwan too 
same thing for wiha, slowly turning into made in China/Taiwan too
Agreed.
KnurledNut
Well-known member
Not sure why there is so much criticism over a $1.50 tool accessory.
Its not like they are charging a premium...
https://www.kctoolco.com/wera-050005-nut-extractor/
Its not like they are charging a premium...
https://www.kctoolco.com/wera-050005-nut-extractor/
I think many Wera items made marked in Czech Republic is only finished there. I have no real sources though but suspect that it's mostly assembly done there, screwdrivers perhaps excluded. And the items marked as made in Taiwan are those where there's no assembly to be done, like the item in the first post.