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Pliers made in the USA

Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2022 1:23 am
by steve
It's getting ridiculously difficult to find Tools not made in China, much less one with a long history dating back to 1886. But I was pleasantly surprised to find this set of pliers from Channellock at an all-time low price of $19.95.

They're advertised as made in the USA--not just the assembly but the steel as well.

Image

https://amzn.to/3cetau1

It looks like most of the pliers I found were made in the USA, some tools are made in Spain, and some in China, so check the product listing carefully. And don't fall for Amazon's sleazy tactics of "recommending" cheap China-made alternatives, whether from familiar brands or nonsensical ones.

Re: Pliers made in the USA

Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2022 6:46 pm
by Paul
I'm a technical guy so I have a lot of tools.
Fortunately, it is not difficult at all to find hand tools that are not made in China.

The Channellock brand you found is a good example.
But there are a lot more brands available:

Hazet, 75% of the products are made in Germany
PB Swiss Tools, 100% made in Switzerland
Knipex, 99% made in Germany
Stahlwille, 100% made in Germany
Heyco, made in Europe and USA
Witte Tools, made in Germany
Wiha, made in Europe and a few in USA
Snap-on, made in USA
Jokari, 100% made in Germany
Facom, several tools are made in France
Bahco, several tools are made in Europe (also some in China!)
Estwing, made in USA and Taiwan
And many moreā€¦

Please note, these are hand tools. Power tools from these brands may come from China.

Re: Pliers made in the USA

Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2022 3:59 pm
by steve
Wow, thanks Paul! It's amazing how so many of these companies exist and make superior tools, while American consumers just go back to the brands they've trusted for years like Stanley, Dewalt, Craftsman which are all made in China now and other than the logo and the color have no connection whatsoever to what the brand once was.

In my dad's generation, when you bought a screwdriver or hammer, it lasted. I can't even count the number of cheap or "free" tools I ended up throwing in the trash because a rubber grip or even the tool itself shattered or disintegrated. But American consumers have been conditioned to not question it and just buy a new shiny one. I hope in Europe consumers aren't as brainwashed as we are here!

I'd love to hear your personal experiences with these brands--which ones are your favorites? I'd love to create a "Hand Tools not made in China" one of these days! :)

Thanks,
Steve

Re: Pliers made in the USA

Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2022 5:31 pm
by Paul
My favorite brands are:
PB Swiss Tools for the screwdrivers and Allen set. Truly top quality with a lifetime warranty.
I prefer Stahlwille for wrenches, socket sets, etc.
I prefer pliers from Knipex.
And hammers from Estwing, most are made in the USA and the cheaper versions Taiwan.

I have tools from every brand in my previous post, but the four just mentioned are my favorites.
These are also all completely manufactured outside of China.

As you say, the well-known brands you see in the hardware stores are almost all Chinese made these days, with the exception of a few products that still come from the west.
But the top quality brands mentioned are easily available on the internet or in specialist stores. These tools last a lifetime, buying again and again is not needed.

When you are starting with your investigation, let me know, I'm sure I can find a few great tools NMIC.

Re: Pliers made in the USA

Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2022 6:21 am
by steve
Sounds great--thanks Paul. I'll definitely be taking you up on that.

Coincidentally, I noticed that Amazon has dropped the price for Knipex Diagonal Cutters to its lowest price since 2020, for those readers in the USA who are interested in a good deal.

There are actually a number of Knipex tools for sale. I don't think these go on sale very often, so if you need anything, grab it while you can!

https://amzn.to/3Oxv06N