The most important tools I have are my insulated screwdrivers designed for working on potentially live circuits. The Bondhus ones are made by Felo, another of my favorite German companies. Been using nothing but Klein in the field for over 40years (Industrial electrical/millwright contractor) and up to a couple of years ago there were nothing but Craftsman in our shop, but we ended up with,,,,,you ready for this., a couple of the low buck orange Harbor Freight sets kicking around and guess what? Dumbest Idea ever! They do the job better than ten other manufacturers models, but they look like childrens toys. Chapman makes a great insert set thats especially good if youre doing a lot of slotted screws in pieces where not slipping is critical, eg gunsmithing. Bought a hundred pack of Tajima utility knife blades. I have experience with the heavy professional(mis-)use of PB and Wera screwdrivers. Sections: Bit Holders & Drivers, EDC, Pocket, & Multitools, Hand Tools, Knives, Pliers, Reader Question, Screwdrivers, Tool Reviews More from: Engineer Inc, Hakko, Mitutoyo, Moki, Nepros, Pentel, Pilot, Tajima, Vessel, WoodOwl. Vessel tools are available in the USA, although not quite inhigh abundance. Because of its rich history and smart, compact, modern-oriented designs, the comfortable grip is always loved by companies and families. So, yeah I would trust and buy the living hell out of Japanese-Made things Just dont ask me to list the ones Ive got already, because I dont pay THAT close attention to where my tools are made. KTC Tools always trusted by the warranty centers of HONDA and YAMAHA of Vietnam. They are really durable and the holder for the Allen wrenches is a example of smart engineering. Japanese-Made Ruler? I have the Vampliers and the craftsman branded screwdrivers. Having said that, both my Snap-on screwdriver sets are Phillips rather than pozidrive, so work just fine over here. Opens Up all the jammed Screws without any clutters. I had listed Koken in my linked post at Toolguyd Community Forum and Peter Fox had some kind words about them above. Heres a nice set at the great price of $27.35. It just means folks really care about their tools. Ive heard nothing but good things about their mechanics tools. Silky saws without a doubt the smoothest cutting limbing saws. Those are all brands that we have evaluated with a completely objective view. Theyre often handy for poking, prying, and other un-screwdriverly tasks. Great stuff here. 2) NEVER, EVER, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES try to dress or fix a damages screwdriver tip. Not super cheap, but they are made in Switzerland, have ergonomic grips, and the grips are made of a special material that still gives traction if your hands are oilythat might be pretty handy. I think the Rapi-Drive would complement any of the other sets if you dont fancy Klein for the Worlds Best Screwdriver Set. Its good to see My favorite VESSEL BALL GRIP. That set is $91.53, which is about what I normally see them for. Nope, but fine to use and appreciate. Very fine lines and very durable. The studio has a long history, according to reputable sources and Hozan's introduction, it was founded in 1946. The best master link pliers Ive yet to find are made by Hozan. I bought one, and for certain jobs, that palmy grip is really nice. It is not the brand of screw-driver. As I mentioned, Ive got the Weras and the interchangeable tip Vessel Ball Grip. They stay in my tool chest reserved for automotive work. They arent cheap, to be sure. Im not sure where the soldering stations are made, though. One lives in the car along with a 3/8 inch socket set and combo wrench set. I finally found one on Amazon by SK that is almost, but still not completely right. Mugen Seiki RC model tools The hozans look nothing like the blue points. $15 worth of cheap screwdrivers, wrenches, pliers and Allen wrenches in my kitchen saves me numerous trips out to my shop for little chores. I thought it was worth some research and came up with 8 brands. I second their solder sucker. Speaking of high quality screwdrivers, it is impossible not to mention Anex - another brand from Japan. Those Engineer Scissors? I do like to keep tools commonly needed with the machines nearby. KTC was born in 1950 with product quality that surpasses world standards. They seem to have an in with that crowd. My Loyalty has been earned by the best in the industry. They focus on how to make each tool the best in the world. I think the only people in the US using pozi-drive is cabinetmakers. Worth a look if you need something special or unusual. The top foam layer is one color, and bottom another. The Vessel screwdrivers Ive tried are decent, and certainly competitive against like-priced USA, European, and other brands. Keep a couple spare #2 phillips blades on hand, and never have another worn screwdriver. I have mainly gear wrench and HF sockets but a few random Koken pieces like spark plug sockets, low profile swivel adapters and so forth. Tokoma used to make the best screw drivers and now I think Wiha or Teng tools are supposed to be pretty durable. Notice also the tips are machined for better grip. Best thing about Craftsman is the guarantee. They are from Asia somewherethey have a pretty extensive line. What makes a better screwdriver? These things dont have two fulcrums to make them ridged enough to be useable. But when you truly want the very best, they have no peers. Still its popular out here. MCC threaded rod tools I look forward to them being renewed by Stanley. Why care about the Worlds Best Screwdrivers and Screwdriver Sets? The assorted different pull saws that you can find sold here by Irwin and Vaughn have been Made in Japan as well. Pyrex Longest needle nose pliers Ive seen thus far. I have a driver that holds 7 double tipped inserts within a pull out end cap with no loose parts that is indispensable for out of shop use. Also my Spyderco Delica has a blade made in Japan of Japanese high carbon steel and it is also of excellent quality. Back then they were $60.76, but as I write this the set is over $100. And I would still catch people regrinding screwdrivers. They have a lovely feel in the hand and their price is nice when you consider the competition. But one brand I noticed missing from the post is Olfa. They have several screwdriver sets, but their best is really nice: Wiha 53097 Screwdriver Set, Slotted and Phillips, Extra Heavy Duty, 7 Piece. But the handles are the best-feeling Ive ever used, and the blades (shafts, tips) are as durable as any others. Supertool wrenches JIS bits from Vessel and Hios are quite good quality and Motion Pro has started selling JIS Bits made in China, I have more than enough pocket knives, but I still miss the little Al Mar Osprey that I lost about 20 years ago. For anything that cuts or has a blade I recommend Japanese. I scratch my head when I see Hakkos AMAZING Electronics and Soldering equipment covered in bright plastic, and rubbery buttons like theyre made for children. Maybe build have a compartment with lift-out foam-organized trays? For in shop work these sets are fine but for field work, not practical. It may not seem to be a big deal but the way all the wrenches turn to the side simultaneously is a big help when you are using multiple sizes. Jinkai fishing tools Im sick to death of opening my vehicle toolbox, for instance, and being unable to see whats missing at a glance, find a socket by position or touch, and so on. Do not want cheap tools that can slip and strip frozen auto parts. Before switching to Commercial HVAC and Refrigeration Installation and repair. Are basically bolted to my desk, and come out whenever I need a quick package opened, or something cut. Their whole line of hand tools is really well made and they never give me a moments trouble about warranty issues. Save your money for Klein tools or Wiha, youll be glad you did. Stanley 62-574 21 Piece Multi-Bit Ratcheting Screwdriver Set should run under $20 US. I love their various utility knives and blades. Another source for Nepros tools is nepros.net They work, and thats all I care. But if you want something to convince you what Japanese quality is like before you start shelling out the big bucks, try a pair of those Parada or Green Bell nail clippers. I would still love a high end Hakko soldering system. I honestly stopped paying attention to where my tools were made a long time ago. Their Protwist Screwdrivers are certainly lovely: Normally, itll be $71.95 for these lovelies. There are several Japanese-made tools I own or have used, but my Japanese tool experienceis definitely dwarfed by my experiences with USA-made and European-made tools. You can see my photo of the Engineer model at the end of the review (https://toolguyd.com/vampliers-screw-pliers-review/). CorningWare Theyre the ones everybody has used. What I was looking for was a step up. >> See more about 19 hand tool maker top in the world. I WILL say I generally trust Japanese tools when it comes to precision. Remember password I was wondering if you might do a review of some Keiba pliers or cutters. I didnt even know that they make mechanics tools, and cant find much information about sockets with Tajima branding. This is a completely new brand to me, and while their tools look worth trying, I cant seem to find a good source. Koken has very good ratchets and other tools. I even used some colored electrical tape to color code what goes where. Koken indeed makes great sockets and ratchets. But, if you dont want to contribute, no worries. You simply cant find something made in Japan that people consider to be junk. I also own 2 ballgrips similar to the ones in the article. USA! Great Article. Great ratchets too. And the rant. https://www.amazon.com/Tajima-DC-L500YSFBL/dp/B0069EC07W/, Also, Silky is a fine japanese company, with very good saws, especially for pruning trees, https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=japan+silky+saw. (Im not an electrician but have gotten crosswise a few times with some very sparky results. Discover Metabo 2016 New 36V Cordless Platform and Hands-on With Lots of Tools! Ive come across the Japanese Lobster brand of hands tools in industrial settings. BTW Im not exactly sure if Olfa is still an independent company as the WorldKitchen LLC website lists it as one of their brands: https://www.worldkitchen.com/en/who-we-are.html. Plus with good quality that affordable products will be a choice that you can hardly ignore. Every tool company other than DeWALT has blown up on me. I also provide some links. Only $14.97 on Amazon. A Mitutoyo height gauge is on my wishlist, but my SPI one has been serving me well for the time being. Unless you will NEVER, EVER, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES work around even de-energized low voltage electrical circuits, NEVER use a wood handled screwdriver. Yamabiko small engine tools. I personally like Witte screwdrivers. This is also a brand from Japan. I have various Dollar Store and W-Mart screwdrivers and wrenches at various work stations on my property so I do not have to borrow from my good automotive tools for non critical stuff. The various Tajima snap lines are absolutely fantastic. I do not need a $25 adjustable wrench for my welding tanks. I do have a few packaged tipsfor the 951 in front of me, andtheyre marked as being made in Japan. None of the socket-strip tool organizers Ive seen are worth a darn. You will never get it right and you will damage every screw you touch with it. Its neat that you can tell the type and size of the driver from the notations on the end cap. Not sure if they are any better then Starrett but they are top quality. They made it seem like two of the best are joining forces verses one buying out the other. Its made in Japan and looks identical so I hope Im right. Lots of things in common including: Without further ado, here are some possibilities for you to consider: Electricians, in particular, seem to swear by Klein Cushion Grip screwdrivers. Note: Many of the links in this article are affiliate links to Amazon. A blade, a ruler, that ridiculous-looking widget that gets you weird looks when you use it the Japanese really do make some really great stuff. With 57 tips, youd be hard pressed to not have just the right size for your work, and the straight tips are parallel ground, so they wont cam out of the screw slot. Japan has made some of my favourite things in the world, INCLUDING toys from my childhood. USA! because its nonsense these days. No high torques or frozen bolts to deal with so no exotic brands needed. Required fields are marked *. Who still make some of the best tools to this day. Famous for its insulating screwdrivers. Looking the socket over, it looked top-notch internal areas/broaching was good, chrome was perfect, fit (as measured by pushing it on my Craftsman, Proto and SK ratchets) was very good. They worry more about the engraving font than uniformity in GD& T. Im going to run down a few of the others Ive tried. And I can tell you after using them that these are indeed a step up. Snap-On? PB Swiss Tools always meets international customer expectations. I have used a Keiba Lighttools wrench for the last ten years. If they hadnt been, I might be sporting Facom in my garage tool cabinets. I was a Sears Home products Service Technician Was absolutely thrilled to be able to find a pair of Starrett 559A/B wood-handled screwdrivers, but am sad that they are no longer made. Ive got quite a few engineer brand tools. No mention of Koken tools? Theyve been doing it hundreds of years before USA was even a twinkle in Columbuss eye. Vessel is one of the few companies that make JIS pattern cross-head screwdrivers, i.e. See Also: Do You Have a Favorite Pen, Pencil, Marker, or Other Writing Tool? 1) Klein tools are top notch. The head size and length of the screwdriver must be in accordance with the position and operation. These screwdrivers are extremely popular in places like the Garage Journal where tool snobs like to hang out (its a great board, BTW, be sure to check it out some time!). Great subject. When ever possible I replace with this style or the closest similar torx type screw that is available. Theyre made in Japan and work great. Perhaps only when changing the jets on the Weber carburetors of my vintage Ferrari. I will say, I have some nice gunsmiths screwdrivers which I keep separate from my general-purpose screwdrivers. Tom, I hadnt come across the pozidrive. Its not about the Team loyalty, its about the Job getting done. Dr Chris. HIT tools are awesome! Their blades are super sharp, and last a long time. Hardly any straight blade drivers I have come across actually fit, most are too thin and round out the ends of the slot requiring them to be resharpened. Wow Stuart. Surely, someone has had a better idea, and Id leave it to the Japanese to have thought this out. Buy a pair thats made in Japan and it will change your life. They also sell a step-up model whose main difference seems to be that it is made of stainless steel. You Need These Essential Tools - Thrifty Jinxy, The Screwdriver: Theres One in Every Toolbox Attorney Breakfast Club, Easier to tell at a glance whether you have to right one, Extra machine work so the tip is optimized for the job it has to do, Overall quality of construction and materials, Our Big List of over 200 CNC Tips and Techniques. That goes for hand tools, power tools, vehicles and everything else made there. Ive had one I still use everyday for almost 5 years. Corelle That is very useful information on how to choose a good screwdriver. Ditto screwdrivers that have the shaft running all the way through so that there is exposed metal on the end. I still have most of the socket set, all of the combo wrench set. We need a social media revolution to eliminate phillips and straight slot head screws and move to posidrive style heads( have sets of such from American supply sources). They arent the cheapest, but I feel they are some of the best knives out there. My Weras certainly do so much better than my Craftsman screwdrivers ever did, even when new. I have a set in my mechanics box at the shop I have had for going on 50 years. Sounds like you could benefit from foam-lined drawers, with cut-outs for each tool (or at least most of them). As for the kitchen, every few years I buy one of those complete kits from Sharper Image or Brookstone to keep in the kitchen pantry. I also find the small Bosch 12v cordless screw driver to be indispensable. The last time they were, it was at $187.50, so I might be afraid to use them very much. Harrington hoist teamed up with Kito also. Prosperous by the quality of safety, the most complete design in the world. This is why I ask the readers for their ideas and suggestionssomething good always comes of asking. Not sure how they will be in 20 years but right now, they aint all that bad. A few features here, Its strange how that works both ways. I have a set of green Matco drivers and they have outlasted the Strap ons which I have a nice collection of with busted and chipped business ends no I do not uses them with a hammer. The last brand I want to introduce to everyone is the Hozan Tool. If you work with anything metric with a cross point its not a Phillips head, and the JIS specific design is priceless. The wrench is indeed called Lightool. Greg, its a good point. What about the quality of the steel? Shinwa makes some construction/woodshop measuring tools that are quite nice and not expensive. So dont be surprised if your USA Harrington says made in Japan. Tone tool sockets wrenches screwdrivers. Also, bought a folding pull stroke G saw, with a squared off blade VERY nice and cuts smoooooth! Work just fine in place of the Craftsman Strange but true. Priceless. The rubbery coating they invariably use breaks down, smells nasty after a while and turns your expensive ass screwdrivers into junk when it gets really bad. If youre working on Japanese motorcycles and/or cars, they are quite handy to have. With patience a two snap on picks you will get her done. The name is derived from the Japanese words oru (, bend and break) and ha (, blade). Re Craftsman, in 1957 my father, who had all Craftsman hand and power tools, bought me a starter set so I would not get into his tools. Id also recommend Pilot Hi-Tec-C and Pentel Slicci gel pens, Uniball mechanical pencils, Pentel EnerGel pens, andPilotPetit 1mini semi-disposable fountain pens. Highest quality on the market. I inherited most of my Kleins from my Lineman grandfather and they still work great. I have had some quality screwdrivers wear down in short order. I dont know if they are making things in the US now as well. We in Pakistan used to get, pocket electric testers, screwdriver kits, screw drivers of Morimotos famous brand Champion. Clover Needlecraft Many Japanese tool brands justarent easily found here.