A trending topic recently has been a global "cultural flattening" that has resulted from Internet algorithms. Similarly, others talk about "cultural stagnation" where technology has plunged our culture into an era devoid of originality and surprise. The knife industry is experiencing a "race to the bottom" where budget knives for $30 are pretty dang good, yet you can still pay hundreds if not thousands of dollars for custom, handmade or boutique brands if you are a collector. Honestly, these are new concepts to me that require more thought, but I wonder if globalization of tool manufacturers are "flattening" or "stagnating" the tool industry? Are we moving towards an era of parity where all tools are 95% the same and just have different colors or branding? Have we already seen a race to the bottom where a $9 workpro performs just as good as the high end brands?
I work as an engineer in automotive manufacturing in the USA. There is a fair amount of tooling we buy now coming from China, either directly or via sub suppliers. The Chinese can produce good quality; and have for sure figured nearly all modern manufacturing processes out. Think about all of our electronics that are made there. Of course there is also junk; and we’ve experienced that too in my company. I think if you were to do a deep dive the Knipex likely have better steel; and their laser focus on developing the best pliers in the world gives them an edge over the competition. But in terms of raw functionality it’s only the last few % better. Personally I’d rather spend my money to get the last % where it’s reasonable; and support manufacturing in democratic countries where people are paid a fair wage whenever possible.
What I like most about these “lower end” versions is I can use them in dirty grimy situations where I wouldn’t want to use the Snap On or Knipex level tools. Yes it’s babying tools that are made for the job but at the end of the day I enjoy them and like to keep the high end ones nice. It doesn’t make sense for some but maybe I have a side of collector mixed in my DIY.
I have pretty much all the pliers on your bench (except Workpro). I guess Workpro doesn’t impress me as much as Tsunoda. Tsunoda has many pliers under $20 that are made in Japan, and will likely be performing excellent long after I’m gone. Not sure how well the Chinese stuff will hold up long term. I have slowly been replacing my daily driver Knipex and Klein with Tsunoda, and at least for needle nose, it was a good move. Jury is out on diagonals, and I prefer the Tsunoda flush cut zip tie cutter to my Snap-On, mainly because it’s 1/5th the price.
wife got me tsunoda slim holds for my birthday, I’ve been on a tear getting more since then. amazing pliers I really enjoy their work. quite the selection of specialty pliers
Hello again, Doc Thank you for another Great Video 👍 Sometimes the cheap tools will do a good job. And sometimes they won't. Stay safe and warm. Again thank you 👌
I do my best to avoid buying tools from Chinese owned companies. I've even stopped buying SK, and that one bothered me as much, or probably a little more than when Craftsman sold out to them. I've had some very bad experiences with their warranty, USA-made initial tool quality, and customer service in the last couple of months. Sometimes, buying Chinese owned/made tools is convenient enough to be worth it, but not very often, and it's more of a principle thing for me anyway. I'll buy reasonably priced U.S., Japanese, German, and Taiwan made every time over Chinese. I've never been a fan of their in-country made steels either.
I mean if you need a pair for a vehicle or something I totally see spending $8 for them if you’re usually them once or twice a year. Still rather support anything but china though
I’ve had a mechanics set from crescent (apex tool group) for decades and the 6” pliers from the set are still my favorite, I have better pliers (snap on and knipex) but the apex tool fits the hand like a glove and I’ve never been able to completely replace it
Good job! I really like this brand for the quality and the price. I also discovered it on Amazon and I’m not disappointed. I use a lot, for instance, their set of mini pliers (less than 20 euros, incredible), that are presented in a nice pouch. They make the job perfectly. Otherwise, Knipex is my go to for quality tools that I use a lot but in first intention I can start with Workpro. When it will be damaged, I will upgrade for the same tool in the Knipex line.
My go to on most hand tools is Knipex but lately I've also been impressed by Tsunoda from Japan as well especially at the price point. Their narrow jaw pliers for tight spaces are great. I also have NWS and find them to be quite a step down from Knipex in fit and finish.
I have a few pair of Tsunoda as well and I’m really impressed. If you’ve worked with hand tools for long enough as soon as you pick them up in your hands for the first time, you just know they’re a well made tool.
The water pump pliers I am not a big fan of, cobras are much better, but the workpro five pliers in a bag for 20-25 is a great set of pliers for the money. The ones with the handles like the ones you are showing are nice. The cheaper workpro ones are not good. They make a nice multitool for 20 too. Great for vehicle kits if you are not going snap on baller. 😂
The real test is do they hold up on roller chain clasp. When you have fixed a few master links. Can you still pick up the micro cotter key or the hairpin lock
@frankblack1481 my harbour freight red snapon clones are pretty good after about 7 in the last 4.months. their other brand that's blue lasted maybe a year before they junked out
Apex doesn't own Work Pro. It's same as SK. The company is likely the ones who make Kobalt for Lowes now Those Milwaukee are made by NWS. The plier quality matters the most when it comes to longevity but yes, the quality is catching upwith the top brands. The warranty isn't even an issue anymore when you can literally own 3 pliers for the price of 1 and all 3 have warranties too. I've always had premium service tools for tough jobs but I've been buying other brands for years to leave on job sites that I frequent It depends on the trade work & personal preferences
Hello, I like your videos But I have a question for you if you can help me, I am looking for very good screwdrivers or Torx bits in the smallest sizes T3 T4 T5 T6 it is for opening and working on EDC knives last time I bought Klein Model No. 32717 And the bits were all damaged, bent Thank you in advance for your good advice.
The cheap, relatively good quality stuff works incredibly well for 99% of people-just look at how well Harbor Freight is doing. That’s not really the point when you pay up for domestically manufactured name brand tools. You buy objectively higher quality most of the time, yes, but you’re also buying the company culture that chose to keep their own manufacturing at the expense of larger profits, you’re paying for fair wages, good jobs, and safe workplaces. There’s no such thing as ethical consumption under capitalism, but I do try ~whenever I can~ to not buy stuff made in what are probably terrible places to work by people who are probably miserable and definitely miserably underpaid. I use a lot of Knipex, a lot of Japanese tools, a lot of super high quality vintage American tools bought dirt cheap, and a lot of Harbor Freight (I’m not perfect! They still get my money).
At the end of the day, either these chinese pliers are the same quality as the german made, just taking advantage of cheap labour, or they're worst quality and only time will tell. I've seen tests where knipex blew everything else out of the water, like in Project Farm's channel. I'd still rather buy a Knipex over a cheap chinese one, if I can afford them, but in Europe we pay around 20€ for those. I'd say, if you can afford them and the price isn't ridiculous (cough, cough, snap-on) support the brands that bring innovation and quality and respect their workers.
"Innovation, quality and respect to their workers" I also add in, at least for me as a American, Being made in America is just as important. Keeping my American brothers and sisters working should be a top priority.
America used to be directly associated with high quality when it came to the tool market. These days sadly the remaining few are just struggling to stay alive 😢
@@aussiehardwood6196 They still offer quality, company's like Channel Lock, Snap On, Williams, Proto, now Tekton and others offer top tier quality. The quality is there but a American company cannot get even close to the cost of Chinese labor. To operate a business in America is expensive, dang expensive. Wages, benefits, taxes, the operation of a manufacturing company, taxes on the employees, taxes on the company, taxes on the profit. I'm actually amazed they can stay in business at all. People would rather shop at HF for cheap Chinese crap instead of supporting their fellow Americans. Until you lose a job because the company you worked at shipped all of its manufacturing overseas you cannot understand the importance of buying American made products whenever possible. Sorry for the rant brother, Hope you have a great day.
A trending topic recently has been a global "cultural flattening" that has resulted from Internet algorithms. Similarly, others talk about "cultural stagnation" where technology has plunged our culture into an era devoid of originality and surprise. The knife industry is experiencing a "race to the bottom" where budget knives for $30 are pretty dang good, yet you can still pay hundreds if not thousands of dollars for custom, handmade or boutique brands if you are a collector. Honestly, these are new concepts to me that require more thought, but I wonder if globalization of tool manufacturers are "flattening" or "stagnating" the tool industry? Are we moving towards an era of parity where all tools are 95% the same and just have different colors or branding? Have we already seen a race to the bottom where a $9 workpro performs just as good as the high end brands?
I work as an engineer in automotive manufacturing in the USA. There is a fair amount of tooling we buy now coming from China, either directly or via sub suppliers. The Chinese can produce good quality; and have for sure figured nearly all modern manufacturing processes out. Think about all of our electronics that are made there. Of course there is also junk; and we’ve experienced that too in my company.
I think if you were to do a deep dive the Knipex likely have better steel; and their laser focus on developing the best pliers in the world gives them an edge over the competition. But in terms of raw functionality it’s only the last few % better.
Personally I’d rather spend my money to get the last % where it’s reasonable; and support manufacturing in democratic countries where people are paid a fair wage whenever possible.
@@MaxvonWeber I'm with you.
What I like most about these “lower end” versions is I can use them in dirty grimy situations where I wouldn’t want to use the Snap On or Knipex level tools. Yes it’s babying tools that are made for the job but at the end of the day I enjoy them and like to keep the high end ones nice. It doesn’t make sense for some but maybe I have a side of collector mixed in my DIY.
I'm the same way. It's crazy if you think about it but the key is to just not think about it
Can't get over the fact that the Snap-on are double the price of Knipex - and that's in the US!
I have pretty much all the pliers on your bench (except Workpro). I guess Workpro doesn’t impress me as much as Tsunoda. Tsunoda has many pliers under $20 that are made in Japan, and will likely be performing excellent long after I’m gone. Not sure how well the Chinese stuff will hold up long term. I have slowly been replacing my daily driver Knipex and Klein with Tsunoda, and at least for needle nose, it was a good move. Jury is out on diagonals, and I prefer the Tsunoda flush cut zip tie cutter to my Snap-On, mainly because it’s 1/5th the price.
wife got me tsunoda slim holds for my birthday, I’ve been on a tear getting more since then. amazing pliers I really enjoy their work. quite the selection of specialty pliers
Big fan of Tsunoda as well, the price is reasonable and made in Japan. Lots of reasonably priced quality tool brands made in Japan.
Hello again, Doc
Thank you for another Great Video 👍 Sometimes the cheap tools will do a good job. And sometimes they won't. Stay safe and warm. Again thank you 👌
Personally, I enjoy using my Knipex tools. I've used cheaper tools before and I can't go back. I'll pay the extra for the incredible quality.
Hangzou Great Srar Industrial Tools in China owns Work Pro. Not Apex Tool Group...
1:27.. Those aren't Talon Grip☝️
I do my best to avoid buying tools from Chinese owned companies. I've even stopped buying SK, and that one bothered me as much, or probably a little more than when Craftsman sold out to them. I've had some very bad experiences with their warranty, USA-made initial tool quality, and customer service in the last couple of months.
Sometimes, buying Chinese owned/made tools is convenient enough to be worth it, but not very often, and it's more of a principle thing for me anyway. I'll buy reasonably priced U.S., Japanese, German, and Taiwan made every time over Chinese. I've never been a fan of their in-country made steels either.
Thanks for the review
I mean if you need a pair for a vehicle or something I totally see spending $8 for them if you’re usually them once or twice a year. Still rather support anything but china though
You could also take a look at Laoa tools too 👍
I reach for my old no frills Snap on needle nose pliers most of all. They have a longer, slimer working end than most.
They look great, as long as they don't mushroom or the edges over time. I would try them. Thanks for the honest review Doc
I’ve had a mechanics set from crescent (apex tool group) for decades and the 6” pliers from the set are still my favorite, I have better pliers (snap on and knipex) but the apex tool fits the hand like a glove and I’ve never been able to completely replace it
Good job! I really like this brand for the quality and the price. I also discovered it on Amazon and I’m not disappointed. I use a lot, for instance, their set of mini pliers (less than 20 euros, incredible), that are presented in a nice pouch. They make the job perfectly. Otherwise, Knipex is my go to for quality tools that I use a lot but in first intention I can start with Workpro. When it will be damaged, I will upgrade for the same tool in the Knipex line.
My go to on most hand tools is Knipex but lately I've also been impressed by Tsunoda from Japan as well especially at the price point. Their narrow jaw pliers for tight spaces are great. I also have NWS and find them to be quite a step down from Knipex in fit and finish.
I have a few pair of Tsunoda as well and I’m really impressed. If you’ve worked with hand tools for long enough as soon as you pick them up in your hands for the first time, you just know they’re a well made tool.
I prefer the comfort grip on NWS pliers over the Knipex.
The water pump pliers I am not a big fan of, cobras are much better, but the workpro five pliers in a bag for 20-25 is a great set of pliers for the money. The ones with the handles like the ones you are showing are nice. The cheaper workpro ones are not good. They make a nice multitool for 20 too. Great for vehicle kits if you are not going snap on baller. 😂
The real test is do they hold up on roller chain clasp. When you have fixed a few master links. Can you still pick up the micro cotter key or the hairpin lock
What’s the best pliers you’ve found after that test?
@frankblack1481 my harbour freight red snapon clones are pretty good after about 7 in the last 4.months. their other brand that's blue lasted maybe a year before they junked out
Apex doesn't own Work Pro. It's same as SK. The company is likely the ones who make Kobalt for Lowes now
Those Milwaukee are made by NWS.
The plier quality matters the most when it comes to longevity but yes, the quality is catching upwith the top brands. The warranty isn't even an issue anymore when you can literally own 3 pliers for the price of 1 and all 3 have warranties too.
I've always had premium service tools for tough jobs but I've been buying other brands for years to leave on job sites that I frequent
It depends on the trade work & personal preferences
It’s $30 for a set of 5 now. For most people, that’s more than enough pliers
Hello, I like your videos But I have a question for you if you can help me, I am looking for very good screwdrivers or Torx bits in the smallest sizes T3 T4 T5 T6 it is for opening and working on EDC knives last time I bought Klein Model No. 32717
And the bits were all damaged, bent Thank you in advance for your good advice.
PB Swiss
agree with @salazarray. I use PB Swiss (both dedicated small drivers and bits) on my knives and they’re amazing.
Wiha is another good option that is perhaps not quite as good but also less expensive and more readily available (at least in the U.S.).
Tsunoda spend an extra 5 bucks and get the best ones
I'm pretty sure that Workpro is made by Greatstar and not Apex. That would put it in the same company as SK and Duratech.
Tekton is another option.
Those Milwaukees are probably made by NWS. They make good stuff, but I never liked those "aerodynamic cutouts" (even if it makes the tool faster 🤣 )
Check Wiha Pliers, good Price made in Germany.
The Milwaukee is made by NWS in Solingen (Germany)
Wiha Pliers are made in Vietnam
Workpro is owned by GreatStar, not Apex
Is the Talon Grip patented or something? Will it expire?
The cheap, relatively good quality stuff works incredibly well for 99% of people-just look at how well Harbor Freight is doing. That’s not really the point when you pay up for domestically manufactured name brand tools. You buy objectively higher quality most of the time, yes, but you’re also buying the company culture that chose to keep their own manufacturing at the expense of larger profits, you’re paying for fair wages, good jobs, and safe workplaces. There’s no such thing as ethical consumption under capitalism, but I do try ~whenever I can~ to not buy stuff made in what are probably terrible places to work by people who are probably miserable and definitely miserably underpaid. I use a lot of Knipex, a lot of Japanese tools, a lot of super high quality vintage American tools bought dirt cheap, and a lot of Harbor Freight (I’m not perfect! They still get my money).
At the end of the day, either these chinese pliers are the same quality as the german made, just taking advantage of cheap labour, or they're worst quality and only time will tell. I've seen tests where knipex blew everything else out of the water, like in Project Farm's channel. I'd still rather buy a Knipex over a cheap chinese one, if I can afford them, but in Europe we pay around 20€ for those. I'd say, if you can afford them and the price isn't ridiculous (cough, cough, snap-on) support the brands that bring innovation and quality and respect their workers.
Hazet, gedore, stahlwille
"Innovation, quality and respect to their workers"
I also add in, at least for me as a American, Being made in America is just as important. Keeping my American brothers and sisters working should be a top priority.
America used to be directly associated with high quality when it came to the tool market. These days sadly the remaining few are just struggling to stay alive 😢
@@aussiehardwood6196
They still offer quality, company's like Channel Lock, Snap On, Williams, Proto, now Tekton and others offer top tier quality. The quality is there but a American company cannot get even close to the cost of Chinese labor. To operate a business in America is expensive, dang expensive. Wages, benefits, taxes, the operation of a manufacturing company, taxes on the employees, taxes on the company, taxes on the profit. I'm actually amazed they can stay in business at all. People would rather shop at HF for cheap Chinese crap instead of supporting their fellow Americans. Until you lose a job because the company you worked at shipped all of its manufacturing overseas you cannot understand the importance of buying American made products whenever possible.
Sorry for the rant brother,
Hope you have a great day.
WORKPRO...good enough...unless you're an obnoxious former Subaru tech who claims that only Snap On tools will fix cars.
Klein makes a killer needle nose for a fair price. This is coming from a knipex guy.
Cheap tools cause carpal tun plus they are less efficient plus they less fun to use. So it the long term you get what you pay for
I could never feel good about reaching for it. Hard pass for me.