What's the deal with Craftsman Evolve?

[stickshift]

I was at Sears earlier and saw some Craftsman Evolv tools for a lot less than the regular Craftsman equivalent.

For example, Craftsman 6pc hex bit socket set is $30. The 7pc (extra bit on the small end, 1/8") Evolv hex bit set is $10.

Other than the marketing department snorting too much fairy dust when coming up with the name and spelling, is this stuff any good?

 

[firebox40dash5]

In my limited experience, it's a little lower quality than HF, at a little higher price. You also need a receipt to warranty it (like HF) but within 3-5 years that'll most likely be a moot point anyway.

In other words, unless Sears is your only option local, I wouldn't bother... you got any stores with those $5 bins of assorted Chinese junk tools? Go there and save 50%.

 

[softailgarage]

Evolve is Sears "cheapo" line... as if you could get any cheaper quality with "the new Craftsman" line.

 

[mmack66]

That's their cheaper made in China line, not to be confused with the made in China Craftsman line.

 

[RedneckWelder]

Evolve is Sears "cheapo" line... as if you could get any cheaper quality with "the new Craftsman" line.

Before the main Craftsman line went Chinese the Evolv line was the Harry the El Cheapo Homeowner line made in China.

 

[331CID]

Lol love these comments. I bought some stuff once and I was told I needed a receipt. I'd shy away from all things craftsman anymore, especially in sets. Lose one piece and they act like you didn't buy it from sears


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[dragonballz]

I've told this before...

I was at sears and saw a set of evolv combo wrenches. One of the box end of the wrenches had no teeth. It was just a round, smooth circle.

 

[Givl Reggin]

I'll never understand Sears thinking they needed to carry a lesser quality line of tools when they had their flagship U.S.A. made Craftsman branded tools that are very reasonably priced.

Why would anyone buy a tool with the brand name of Sears, Companion or Evolve when there is an equivalent tool with the CRAFTSMAN name on it!?

 

[mmack66]

I'll never understand Sears thinking they needed to carry a lesser quality line of tools when they had their flagship U.S.A. made Craftsman branded tools that are very reasonably priced.

Why would anyone buy a tool with the brand name of Sears, Companion or Evolve when there is an equivalent tool with the CRAFTSMAN name on it!?

"Sears" and "Companion" tools used to be pretty decent, and cost less than Craftsman tools of the time.

All of the secondary tool lines just cater to the people that just need some basic tools.

 

[SMKS]

As noted, Craftsman Evolv tools are often generic import tools and have a fake lifetime warranty. The fine print says you have to keep your receipt. That's probably one of the main reasons they're cheaper.

Here's the exact wording of the Evolv warranty from the Craftsman website:
http://www.craftsman.com/cswarranty/nb-100000000227082#point8

CRAFTSMAN EVOLV HAND TOOL LIFETIME LIMITED WARRANTY
FOR AS LONG AS IT IS USED from the date of sale, this Craftsman Evolv hand tool is warranted against defects in material and workmanship.
WITH PROOF OF SALE, a defective product will be replaced free of charge.
This warranty does not cover expendable parts that can wear out from normal use within the warranty period. *

WARRANTY SERVICE
To obtain warranty coverage, return a defective product with proof of sale to the retailer from which it was purchased for free replacement.

 

[stage20]

i was going to mention the companion. ive got a cutter and plier kit and its my go to over some of the other stuff i have. old lightish blue handle. darker than channel lock and textured like the black craftsman. ive had them 10 years or so and they hold up well.

 

[stage20]

i will never pay for evolv. but i will take donations.

 

[G_P]

I have some of the Companion wrench sets. They came in plastic rolls and work great as a tool set to keep in the trunk of the car. They are decent wrenches for occasional use but not nearly as nice as US made Craftsman wrenches.

 

[mmack66]

As noted, Craftsman Evolv tools are often generic import tools and have a fake lifetime warranty. The fine print says you have to keep your receipt. That's probably one of the main reasons they're cheaper.

Here's the exact wording of the Evolv warranty from the Craftsman website:
http://www.craftsman.com/cswarranty/nb-100000000227082#point8

That's not bad. At least you don't have to fret about getting a made in China tool in exchange for the tool you bring in.

 

[firebox40dash5]

That's not bad. At least you don't have to fret about getting a made in China tool in exchange for the tool you bring in.

There's always a silver lining I suppose.

 

[stickshift]

I'll never understand Sears thinking they needed to carry a lesser quality line of tools when they had their flagship U.S.A. made Craftsman branded tools that are very reasonably priced.

Why would anyone buy a tool with the brand name of Sears, Companion or Evolve when there is an equivalent tool with the CRAFTSMAN name on it!?

Because not everyone makes a living with their tools.

Take me, for example. I've been meaning to pick up a SAE hex bit socket set, but I'll only use it once in a blue moon. So I've put off the purchase as the decent options are $30 or more. I paid that for a metric hex bit socket set I use more frequently, but couldn't see paying that for a set that will mostly gather dust.

So when I saw the Evolve set for $10, I bought it.

Though after reading the comments, I'll probably return it and go buy the same thing over at HF.

Too bad none of these cheap tool manufacturers makes these sets in 1/4" drive. The Wiha and KD Tools 1/4" drive versions are $40+.

 

[rick carpenter]

I just bought a set of deep 1/2" drive Evolv impact sockets to be used on ratchets in my road kit. $16.99 for 10 up to 1". I do a fair bit of volunteer work and share tools on site... so if some of these don't come back, no prob.

 

[DanCo]

I have those very hex sockets both SAE and metric. No complaints, I bought them when the evolve line first came out.

Dan

 

[SweetD]

It's really sad. I have some of Sears' vintage Dunlap stuff, like a lot of you guys do. A wicked nice vintage scroll saw, really nice old drill press, etc. At the time of manufacture, Dunlap was to Craftsman as "evolv" is to Craftsman now. What a joke.

The Dunlap quality was (and still is) relatively excellent compared to this evolv sh!t.

Pathetic and sad. Goodbye Craftsman and Sears. Good knowing you.

 

[Loscaldazar]

Evolv actually has quite a few pieces that are made in Taiwan over China....

that matters to some.

 

[SMKS]

Evolv actually has quite a few pieces that are made in Taiwan over China....

that matters to some.

This is true. Since they're just re-branded stuff, it seems some of it is decent quality stuff about on par with the good HF items.

The impacts are one example. The Evolv are Taiwan, the Craftsmans are China. But the Evolvs are cr-v, I think, so not the ideal material for impacts.

 

[rick carpenter]

This is true. Since they're just re-branded stuff, it seems some of it is decent quality stuff about on par with the good HF items.

The impacts are one example. The Evolv are Taiwan, the Craftsmans are China. But the Evolvs are cr-v, I think, so not the ideal material for impacts.

I noticed there's a lot of cr-v impacts out there. I'm pretty sure my Taiwan Evolv impacts are cr-v since they don't say cromo, but they were bought because they were cheap and intended for hand ratchets not air ratchets. I have HF cromo's in my toolbox.

 

[Super Sport]

It's really sad. I have some of Sears' vintage Dunlap stuff, like a lot of you guys do. A wicked nice vintage scroll saw, really nice old drill press, etc. At the time of manufacture, Dunlap was to Craftsman as "evolv" is to Craftsman now. What a joke.

The Dunlap quality was (and still is) relatively excellent compared to this evolv sh!t.

Pathetic and sad. Goodbye Craftsman and Sears. Good knowing you.

50 year old power tools in general were built better than stuff sold to consumers today. Manufacturing costs are a big reason why.

The evolv stuff seems decent to me. I don't own any, but I've handled it at the store. Seems on par with HF...

 

[ibedayank]

evolve .... makes Horrible Fright tools look good

 

[nicksnothereman]

I don't own the hex or torx set but the main "idea" is probably that it's cheap and it's widely available. Compared to the companion stuff the evolv line is probably a step up as far as finish. Don't know about durability though, the companion stuff wasn't too bad I got some of that stuff, got some of the evolv stuff. Unless you're using hex sockets all day these will probably be okay for most guys, torx too. Under maybe 40 ft lbs most of these chinese deals can take it in non-impact.

 

[Zapp Branigan]

As noted, Craftsman Evolv tools are often generic import tools and have a fake lifetime warranty. The fine print says you have to keep your receipt. That's probably one of the main reasons they're cheaper.

Here's the exact wording of the Evolv warranty from the Craftsman website:
http://www.craftsman.com/cswarranty/nb-100000000227082#point8

Have you kept a Sears receipt for over a year? I have. Guess what, the ink disappeared. It's been doing that for years. I have older receipts from about 20 years ago that are as clear as the day they were printed.

 

[jcfields]

.

 

[shanker]

what drives me crazy is that most retailers print receipts on thermal paper...so unless you take REALLY good care of the receipt.....it'll turn black

 

[Davefr]

Sears was famous for marketing "good", "better", "best". Evolve was supposed to be the "good", CM the "better" and CM Pro the "best".

Unfortunately Pro is dying and CM has degraded to about the level of Evolve. So Sears now has two lines of "good" and no "better" or "best" in the lineup. (even the "good" is debatable - maybe "fair" is more accurate).

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Companion and Evolve are/were the Sears bargain basement line.. Items are usually made in China/Chiwan.

They are on par with the bargain basement line found in any dime store.

 

[bonneyman]

"Sears" and "Companion" tools used to be pretty decent, and cost less than Craftsman tools of the time.

All of the secondary tool lines just cater to the people that just need some basic tools.

My dad had a set of SEARS-branded tools when I was a kid, and never once did I see or hear him break one. And my dad worked his tools, and could fix almost anything. I'd take those over HF or Evolve any day.

 

[phillip9]

very old thread, but I bought the Evolv 80-100 piece kit from sears in 2012 for a clearance price of $30. I do light IT and Kiosk work ( meijer, sams club, kohls, walmart kiosks ) with it and the tools are in pretty good shape, the screw driver bits all have minor rust on them ( should have kept them greased, but I rarely use them ) the only reason I'm here is my kit's plastic carry case has a metal hinge that is about to go out and I'm googling trying to see if I can find a replacement kit
this kit fits in my backpack with my laptop and a few other things perfectly.