Why are S-K adjustable wrenches so expensive?

[Wamsutta]

These are all from Harry Epstein.

S-K 12-inch $50.85

Allen 12-inch $22.50

KD Tools 12-inch $22.50

Is the S-K finished better?

Aren't all three wrenches made by Western Forge?

 

[redwrench60]

I’ve never been sure either. They’re not anything special over any WF made adjustable. Usually S•K stuff is quality and priced down to earth. The quality is there but the pricing is just stupid.

 

[measuredtwice]

Aren't the KD Tools and Allen out of production? Epstein sells a lot of liquidated out of production tools. Those tools cost them a lot less than they would from the manufacturer. They are an SK dealer so those tools are purchased at wholesale prices. SK may also have rules on the retail pricing (e.g. MAP). Now that Western Forge is gone, we'll have to wait and see how that affects the prices and availability of USA made wrenches.

 

[Skin]

Epsteins is a small retailer. If you shop the larger ones its a bit cheaper. Also 38010 is black oxide finished and costs a few bucks more. 8010 (plated) is $36 on Amazon.

 

[vssjim]

it's true all three are made by Western Forge the Allen and KD are in the close outs section at HJE. Ideal sadi it was closing Western Forge but also said it's moving some of the tooling to Illinois. If they make money on the adjustable wrenches it maybe some that goes on the truck to move.

 

[gatlibs]

I would guess that warranty has something to do with it. How would you warrant the other two?

Personally, I've bought the clearance ones from Harry Epstein's and I don't think that over-doubling the price is fair, but I don't understand a way for SK to make money when there are so many on just this forum alone that discuss buying second+ hand tools and warranting them with SK. Maybe tripling or quadrupling the price like Snap-On is the only fair way to make money on tools and have a good warranty in this country.

 

[The Fall]

S-K is quality and I happily pay their prices on most tools. I've got a lot of their stuff, purchased new. Nevertheless, I thought everyone bought the CMan WF ones over the years. At Sears near the end, they were practically giving that stuff away, especially when they started outsourcing production. WF put out good tools. Price point was outstanding.

 

[sberry]

There is a generic China job that is sold under several price points and brands and store types. Same for the WF. Not really a big mystery. It does look like they might have touched up the SK.
The China jobs are quite finely finished, they don't even bother to cheapen them.

 

[sberry]

Some knew some of this by instinct before I did, I remember buying one for a truck and the operator said,,, a NAPA would have been just fine too. I hadn't came up to speed yet. At that time my exposure to imports was stamped India that a guy with any power could twist the jaw apart on. It formed our early opinion of them.
But I am curious, I understand this being a hobby but does Warm want a wrench or is a matter of curiosity?

 

[FSrepair&fabrication]

If youre looking for affordable quality you should try Wright. I recently bought a set for another work truck Im setting up, I got the 6”, 8”, and 12” for like $12, $18, and $30 on amazon. They are plenty good enough for most users, I think my blue point adjustables are a bit nicer, but not a big enough difference to matter.

 

[sberry]

I would guess that warranty has something to do with it. How would you warrant the other two?

Buy 2 if its a concern. I never had to warrant a decent adjustable. I own at least a couple dozen, maybe more. I broke one a while back, an 8 inch I got used somewhere and we beat the snot out of it. I am not looking for warranty, gonna send it to China,,, via scrap barrel.

 

[matt_i]

My wild guess is the S-K is a thinner design.

If one compares the old Diamond Horseshoe adjustables, or the Spanish-made Channellock versions (forgot the OEM for right now) to newer Crescents, the new Crescents are like 30-40% wider thru the jaws. Heavy and clunky in my estimation.

My guess is a lower class of steel is used to make the forging easier in the widebody wrenches (forging dies last longer under hot-work) but requires the jaw to be wider so it doesn't die under high torque. So I think S-K is using a higher grade steel.

 

[OMMP]

Channellocks are Irega's of Spain.
I can buy Crescent (as brand) adjustable wrench - marked as Original since 1907... From earlier I have Diamond Horseshoe... Being on this forum there is almost an conclusion - only maker of adjustables, at least until recently - 'cause they are gonna be shut down - in the US is Western Forge... Did the WF made aforementioned Crescent and Diamond Calk Horseshoe? Even before? Were there any others powerful and established manufacturers of adjustables in the US of A? Excuse me for these questions - Old World typing

 

[measuredtwice]

Channellocks are Irega's of Spain.
I can buy Crescent (as brand) adjustable wrench - marked as Original since 1907... From earlier I have Diamond Horseshoe... Being on this forum there is almost an conclusion - only maker of adjustables, at least until recently - 'cause they are gonna be shut down - in the US is Western Forge... Did the WF made aforementioned Crescent and Diamond Calk Horseshoe? Even before? Were there any others powerful and established manufacturers of adjustables in the US of A? Excuse me for these questions - Old World typing

No. Western Forge was located in Colorado whereas Diamond Calk was in Minnesota and Crescent was in New York. Crescent is currently made in China. The other 2 are gone. SK will likely pick up some of the manufacturing that previously was done by its sister company at Western Forge.

 

[Professional Tool User]

As others have already mentioned, KD and Allen are defunct brands. That is why there is no price premium on them.

 

[OMMP]

I have obsession, sort of. I've tried to find and buy every possible top tier tool manufactuer, searched for rare US tool makers, though most are rare, found even some defunct - found Barcalo, Vlchek, Utica, Bonney, Herbrand... Even found Blue Point of Snap-on - also few SAE snappies sockets - found SK Wayne sockets, also just SK wrench... Few Craftsman sockets - although whole of CF is just rebranded, without own, genuine, products (I don't know this, but assuming; being out of USA, this forum is my primary source), Proto, Channellock, Wright...
Bought small Diamond Calk Horseshoe adjustable wrench... Also found Utica adjustable... But I really want to buy genuine, original and authentic tool - meaning that the stamped manufacturer indeed made that tool... Not just rebranded someone else's tool. So I would be really pleased if the Diamond Horseshoe had own forgery for adjustables, Utica is different story (who made Utica's adjustables?), also Crescent...
Thanks to y'all, still searching for Klein's - linesman's pliers would score it, Estwing - never heard of here, yet institution, Wilde punches, or some other striking tool, some industrial of Williams, Lang pry bar... That would round 'hunt' on US top handtools tiers

 

[measuredtwice]

I have obsession, sort of. I've tried to find and buy every possible top tier tool manufactuer, searched for rare US tool makers, though most are rare, found even some defunct - found Barcalo, Vlchek, Utica, Bonney, Herbrand... Even found Blue Point of Snap-on - also few SAE snappies sockets - found SK Wayne sockets, also just SK wrench... Few Craftsman sockets - although whole of CF is just rebranded, without own, genuine, products (I don't know this, but assuming; being out of USA, this forum is my primary source), Proto, Channellock, Wright...
Bought small Diamond Calk Horseshoe adjustable wrench... Also found Utica adjustable... But I really want to buy genuine, original and authentic tool - meaning that the stamped manufacturer indeed made that tool... Not just rebranded someone else's tool. So I would be really pleased if the Diamond Horseshoe had own forgery for adjustables, Utica is different story (who made Utica's adjustables?), also Crescent...
Thanks to y'all, still searching for Klein's - linesman's pliers would score it, Estwing - never heard of here, yet institution, Wilde punches, or some other striking tool, some industrial of Williams, Lang pry bar... That would round 'hunt' on US top handtools tiers

There are 345 pages of wrench makers in the book American Wrench Makers 1830-1930 by Kenneth L. Cope. --> https://www.amazon.com/dp/1931626065/?tag=atomicindus08-20

So it would take a while to find them all.

Unfortunately, there aren't many still making tools today. Any American that loves his country should be saddened by that. American manufacturers could sure use more support from folks on social media.

 

[davethorik]

Diamond made their own adjustables until they got bought by Cooper, who had also bought Crescent. They still made Diamond branded adjustables for a few years, but they were just Crescent wrenches with Diamond branding.

Utica made their own adjustables as well, until they too were bought by another conglomerate (I believe Triangle Tool).

With WF gone, the only USA made adjustables left are possibly the specialty non-sparking AlBr or BeCu wrenches made by Ampco and Berylco. That is if they still make them.

 

[sberry]

This is interesting enough as a marketing study but as a user doesn't matter. The tool doesn't know any of this or have feelings.

 

[Ton ton]

This marketing study is why I go on Garage journal.

 

[sberry]

That is my interest with this. Does the speculation about quality and value match any kind of reality. Only a little by some people, so much simple cliche from decades ago. Repeat it on auto rewind. The reality is the quality of economy tools has shot up, hence the reliability and the price has gone down.
Some of it cost less in today's dollars as it did 40 years ago.

 

[jeffmoss26]

I have obsession, sort of. I've tried to find and buy every possible top tier tool manufactuer, searched for rare US tool makers, though most are rare, found even some defunct - found Barcalo, Vlchek, Utica, Bonney, Herbrand... Even found Blue Point of Snap-on - also few SAE snappies sockets - found SK Wayne sockets, also just SK wrench... Few Craftsman sockets - although whole of CF is just rebranded, without own, genuine, products (I don't know this, but assuming; being out of USA, this forum is my primary source), Proto, Channellock, Wright...
Bought small Diamond Calk Horseshoe adjustable wrench... Also found Utica adjustable... But I really want to buy genuine, original and authentic tool - meaning that the stamped manufacturer indeed made that tool... Not just rebranded someone else's tool. So I would be really pleased if the Diamond Horseshoe had own forgery for adjustables, Utica is different story (who made Utica's adjustables?), also Crescent...
Thanks to y'all, still searching for Klein's - linesman's pliers would score it, Estwing - never heard of here, yet institution, Wilde punches, or some other striking tool, some industrial of Williams, Lang pry bar... That would round 'hunt' on US top handtools tiers

where are you located?

 

[OMMP]

Well, Jeff, I'm OldWorlder... Europe... If you want, PM me for details - I'm not an extrovert; pretty much classic introvert.
Yup, have to add, I also found Armstrong wrench, Ridgid aluminium pipe wrench, DeWitt Petersen vise grips, some Lisle pads, Lufkin tape measure - although have Holland - yes, Netherlands is recent - stamped as COO... I'm jealous on NewWorlders...

 

[mikebaker1129]

Well, Jeff, I'm OldWorlder... Europe... If you want, PM me for details - I'm not an extrovert; pretty much classic introvert.
Yup, have to add, I also found Armstrong wrench, Ridgid aluminium pipe wrench, DeWitt Petersen vise grips, some Lisle pads, Lufkin tape measure - although have Holland - yes, Netherlands is recent - stamped as COO... I'm jealous on NewWorlders...

Where in Europe ?

 

[Steve_P]

I can't wait for the next 10,000 threads: "Why are Snap On ----- so expensive?"

 

[plumber84]

I asked S-K if they would continue to manufacture adjustable wrenches in the US and they said yes

 

[NoahG]

Diamond made their own adjustables until they got bought by Cooper, who had also bought Crescent. They still made Diamond branded adjustables for a few years, but they were just Crescent wrenches with Diamond branding.

Utica made their own adjustables as well, until they too were bought by another conglomerate (I believe Triangle Tool).

With WF gone, the only USA made adjustables left are possibly the specialty non-sparking AlBr or BeCu wrenches made by Ampco and Berylco. That is if they still make them.

When did Diamond adjustables become rebranded Crescent?

Also, these are being made in the US. I dont know exactly by who, but I was told it was "a snap-on supplier"

https://www.apollodesign.net/apollo-bts-wrench

 

[Noworries]

Im a fan of Crescent myself.. except for my one Squirrel Brand..

 

[Y00PER]

When did Diamond adjustables become rebranded Crescent?

The Diamond plants last of day of operation was on October 28, 1994

 

[mc4life27]

Channellocks are Irega's of Spain.
I can buy Crescent (as brand) adjustable wrench - marked as Original since 1907... From earlier I have Diamond Horseshoe... Being on this forum there is almost an conclusion - only maker of adjustables, at least until recently - 'cause they are gonna be shut down - in the US is Western Forge... Did the WF made aforementioned Crescent and Diamond Calk Horseshoe? Even before? Were there any others powerful and established manufacturers of adjustables in the US of A? Excuse me for these questions - Old World typing

I have one of the Spain made rebranded Creston adjustable and it’s nice don’t get me wrong I did have an issue where it kept slipping trying to get a lock nut off but then again had issues even after I grabbed the correct size wrench. Now I have been looking for other sizes but I can only find the one size I think they call it a 10. But do they make smaller ones? I also got a small small dewalt 6 but opens to the size of an 8 and it’s nice too.


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal