I'm happy to see someone finally assess backdrag. Listening to tooth count means nothing. The ability of a ratchet to actually keep a fastener moving in the intended direction is everything.
Really appreciate this channel. I've been using tools for many years and background in is on the engineering side. That being said, I've learned so much from your channel and this video encouraged me to invest into the Ko-Ken products. All the products I've purchased from them have been top shelf and your video's have had an impact on that. Great value and keep up the good work.
The beauty of Ko-ken is on every tool from sockets to extensions and ratchet is they have the maximum torque they can handle. The torque is stamped on after the model number or on other side.
Theres no ratchet is perfect because there are different things one can want in a ratchet, but from everything I've seen koken is offering the absolute best of their intentions.
I don't mind the rivet in the flex head, as I am always having trouble with the screw-style backing out and making the head floppy. I've tried locktite, but eventually it'll back out just enough that it won't hold its own weight.
I have both the flex head and the standard in 178 mm Z series 72 teeth. If you look on Koken USA there is a warning that these ratchets are maintenance free. DO NOT grease up. The increase high viscosity grease may reduce the upper paw movement causing gear slippage.
Shop around there is a large variation in prices on Koken tools. Amazon Japan has some of the lowest prices. Love my Koken tools. Had my first Koken socket set about 40 years ago.
I have one of these in route. I was able to pick it up (not the flex head model) for about $60. I was determined to get a Snap-On as I’ve always wanted a premium ratchet. The low back drag and quality of build sold me in the Koken.
over oiling on this sliding crown 2 part pawl may make mechanism sticky or increase back drag . Is a really nice usable design and proves refinement and real innovation better than just tooth count number that mainly a marketing figure by most manufacturers ...
For anyone coming back to this video or finding this for the first time: DO NOT GREASE THESE RATCHETS. on Kokens website they state specifically "Z-series 72T model ratchet handles are maintenance free. Do not grease up. High viscosity oil reduces upper pawl movement, which causes gear slippage." This will void your warranty under "modification"... ask me how I know. It felt great after I lubed up the ratchet for about 2 months with daily heavy use, then began slipping. Ko-ken was nice enough to hook me up with a new one but that was almost 2 years ago, and I dont know if they still do that since they made it clear on the product description for the ratchets.
Good information I have since been strictly recommending a light oil. And when it comes to situations like these coconuts maybe just some silicon spray
Just got one of these -- the short handle 72T 3/8" -- and these are the real deal. What an absolute joy to use -- makes me want to get the whole line of Z-series ratchets.
Im about half way there :) got about half of the zeal 36 tooth series only 72 tooth zeal I have is the regular 3/8 (178mm) and the 3/8 long handle (280) both 72 tooth, ok m just waiting for koken to finally release 1/4 and 1/2 inch in 72 tooth. That being said the 36 tooth are absolutely fantastic and have just as little backdrag as the 72 tooth, they use almost the same mechanism for ratcheting
First off the low back drag test isn’t a very good test, though yes koken ratchets have beautiful back drag, but results are very skewed due to ratchet handles being different lengths and weights
This looks like an improved design! I do not use ratchets daily but if i did i would consider a 1/4 size. The smaller fasteners seem to give me more problem with back drag. Maybe time to upgrade a ratchet!
Here in New Zealand, I have a 1960s Koken 1/2" ratchet, well used and looks it on the outside but still working fine. I doubt I'll live long enough to need to replace it.
Koken is primarily a socket specialist tool company. They have very little ratchets or any other tool. They have a ton of patents, and collect royalties from alot of other tool manufacturers(including snap on). This ratchets where a long time coming, its the only complaint they got(low took count)
I wonder what design Snap-On uses that KoKen holds the design patent to? Snap-On only makes two designs for sockets: flank drive, flank drive extra. Both designs are copied by tons of manufacturers without any consequence because the patents have long expired. The first flank socket came out in the 70s.
@RandomnessTeacup possibly. I have had my Snap-On wobble extension for over ten years. I believe patents last for 7. I would like to get some Koken tools, but honestly, I have duplicates of almost every tool I own.
And the handle looks to go all the way through the comfort grip meaning no handle flex like you get with other ratchets like the ICON, also it could be used as a striking cap when you need to bump something into place, I like it, nice looking ratchets and good work on the video!
You are correct it goes all the way through. This is the only comfort grip if even think about owning. I hate comfort grip except for the koken z series
In 2007 I bought a snap on FLF80 flex ratchet 80 tooth ratchet. I used it for 90% of all ratchet-related operations. Then I bought a proto (Italian made USAG 2527f) 3/8 flex ratchet that has a smaller head and surpasses the snap on in terms of access. The Koken are as good as snap on. But the switch is the opposite of snap ons. I work every day on cars. I am not able to settle on "best ratchet " for the work I do. Proto, snap-on, and koken are in that same echelon of excellence, they are all so get-the-job-done I can't decide...no other manufacturers come close to those three. Not hazet, stahlwille, tekton, et al...
So if you had a swivel head incoming-3/8", roughly 11-13" long-would you opt for a mini flex head and a standard fixed head version of these Kokens to round out your set? Or is there value to having the flex head in addition to the swivel? These look amazing. I wish SK would release ratchets in their 6-pawl X frame design.
Hard to appreciate these until start using them daily in tight space work . superb mechanism. the sliding top 2 piece pawl is how they got lower back drag on the 72 tooth count . quite a precision design hence the cost . Would like see them do a locking flex . For professional socketry and innovative solutions Koken are one not to overlook . I've been using them for over 30 years and they made my job easier and at sensible costing .
@@qigongkylar944 I think Koken Z 72T the better buy, really nice ratchets, more suited to tight space jobs and not ultra rough/dirty work like say tractor/dozer repair . Nothing compares to koken for the feel you get from the low backdrag & tight tolerance assembly .
Does Koken make ratchet rebuild kits? SO makes it easy to modify and repair, which is why I like SO and Williams ratchets. Koken Z series are very well made, tight tolerance.
Nice tools, high price. Next time you talk to them, ask them to send you one of their "Pentagon" titanium socket sets to review. Ko-ken TI4261M | Pentagon, Socket Set Titanium, 18 pieces, $3,533.34
@@CatusMaximus That's too bad. I guess the pentagon tools are only for the government, since they can afford to pay $600 for a toilet seat or $100 for a hammer. 🚽
What kind of lube do you recommend using for fine-toothed ratchets like this Koken or others like Icon or Snap-On? Would something like Permatex 81950 or Sta-Lube SL3333 work?
I have always used lightweight synthetic grease for my ratchets, what are your thoughts on that versus the oil you are recommending? I noticed your comment about grease getting hard over time, I have never noticed that with synthetic but was not looking for it either. Does synthetic grease harden over time too?
koken is cheaper, Not by much but cheaper. The quality on the other hand is high or higher on the koken. For about 1500$ you can get get a complete set of tools with koken opposed to the 3 tools you get with snap on(sarcasm 😉).
I have one of those ultra short/tiny Nepros 1/4" drive 'specialty' ratchets (NBR290H)... the one with 1/4" broached holes top & bottom. (We found it's good for one operation we commonly do.) Upon arrival it looked like fine art... but in actual use it's just... well yeah. Back drag is excessive, broached drive holes are kind of sloppy, and it's often difficult to actuate it's reverse lever & socket release button: _especially_ with oily hands. It was pricy as well. Sorry IMHO Nepros scores a non-plus here.
You and me three. Ko-Ken, if you can read this, consider some of us as good test and review avenues as well. Send them to Cat-Max to give to subscribers to hyper-activate sales...
@@paedahe4975 I used to sell tools for a living for a big Taiwanese manufacturer so I know a thing or 2 about tools... 🙄 That knowledge has me constantly looking and comparing tools to get the best of the best. And that's pretty addictive not to mention expensive. But one can always hope...
@@Richard1977 if your looking for Ko-Ken, may I suggest Amazon Uk or EBay Uk as they are less expensive through those avenues but there is a longer shipping time involved. I have ordered tools from Amazon Uk and Amazon Australia without any hitches.
I am impressed and that doesn't happen easily. I like the rivet on the flex head, easily resettable as it loosens with use. Finally a comfort grip that makes sense! Beautiful weld on that. The boxing means nothing to me, but that they sent it to you, who I watch every video of, intrigues me. I am hard on very expensive tools but they must be of the finest quality. If I spend $150 on a 1/4" ratchet (I have), it must not last years, but decades. The ones I have do. Or they go home. If this company wants to impress me, they need to send you more of their products to you to convince me. Break one and see how warranty works. I trust your judgement, Catus. Trust nobody new in my occupation and tools. Got to work, if questionable tools make questionable results, people could lose their jobs or even die. Thanks for this review.
@@glenndavis2762 I easily have over $200K in tools. Not being cheap. No justifying me to you. I make my living with tools. What is it that you do? I thought so.
@@upsidedowndog1256 Machine design and fabrication for prototype machines - I have much more invested in my machine shop, including tooling as well as hand tools. cheers
@@upsidedowndog1256 cool - I'm a snap-on ratchet snob (especially the 1/4" roto heads) - but just got a few Koken short flex 1/4 and 3/8 and they are the real deal. so give one a try if you wish, I'm totally impressed with the quality
Two things manufacturing close fitting press fit parts is expensive.. And I'd rather a pin over a screw the screws back out and that's what causes failures
A lot of my fine tooth ratchets have very low back drag, for instance, Kobalt 90 tooth ratchets. I don't that as a reason to spend more than 100 dollars on these.
If you want most durable you go Hazet, if you want best versatility and number of different types of ratchets with best warranty you go Snap-On. Ko-Ken makes best impact socket types and best line of deep E-torx sockets on the market. Handle on Ko-Ken ratchet is to short and unergonomic
I'm happy to see someone finally assess backdrag. Listening to tooth count means nothing. The ability of a ratchet to actually keep a fastener moving in the intended direction is everything.
Absolutely agree. It's why a good "clutch" one can be so useful (although the less good ones still somehow manage to have some bd).
Totally agree. Once you get past fifty or sixty teeth, it just does'nt mater. Back drag is everything.
Really appreciate this channel. I've been using tools for many years and background in is on the engineering side. That being said, I've learned so much from your channel and this video encouraged me to invest into the Ko-Ken products. All the products I've purchased from them have been top shelf and your video's have had an impact on that. Great value and keep up the good work.
Thanks!
The beauty of Ko-ken is on every tool from sockets to extensions and ratchet is they have the maximum torque they can handle. The torque is stamped on after the model number or on other side.
Is the torque listed in foot pounds?
@@shark61111 neuton tons
Theres no ratchet is perfect because there are different things one can want in a ratchet, but from everything I've seen koken is offering the absolute best of their intentions.
I don't mind the rivet in the flex head, as I am always having trouble with the screw-style backing out and making the head floppy. I've tried locktite, but eventually it'll back out just enough that it won't hold its own weight.
I have both the flex head and the standard in 178 mm Z series 72 teeth. If you look on Koken USA there is a warning that these ratchets are maintenance free. DO NOT grease up. The increase high viscosity grease may reduce the upper paw movement causing gear slippage.
Shop around there is a large variation in prices on Koken tools. Amazon Japan has some of the lowest prices. Love my Koken tools. Had my first Koken socket set about 40 years ago.
I have one of these in route. I was able to pick it up (not the flex head model) for about $60. I was determined to get a Snap-On as I’ve always wanted a premium ratchet. The low back drag and quality of build sold me in the Koken.
Catus those look like quality ratchets. You are a great barometer of tool quality. Another excellent presentation ole boy.
over oiling on this sliding crown 2 part pawl may make mechanism sticky or increase back drag .
Is a really nice usable design and proves refinement and real innovation better than just tooth count number that mainly a marketing figure by most manufacturers ...
Dead right!
I've got more ratchets than any one man needs and now I want another after watching this video.
Filling every drawer of a 52” tool chest is a sign you should try buying other tools besides ratchets...Nah...
Your comment is literally what i was going to say. I think ihave 75-80 maybe more lol
@@TheGreatDemiGod 👍Keep it up. Bragging rights...
For anyone coming back to this video or finding this for the first time: DO NOT GREASE THESE RATCHETS. on Kokens website they state specifically "Z-series 72T model ratchet handles are maintenance free. Do not grease up. High viscosity oil reduces upper pawl movement, which causes gear slippage." This will void your warranty under "modification"... ask me how I know. It felt great after I lubed up the ratchet for about 2 months with daily heavy use, then began slipping. Ko-ken was nice enough to hook me up with a new one but that was almost 2 years ago, and I dont know if they still do that since they made it clear on the product description for the ratchets.
Good information I have since been strictly recommending a light oil. And when it comes to situations like these coconuts maybe just some silicon spray
Just got one of these -- the short handle 72T 3/8" -- and these are the real deal.
What an absolute joy to use -- makes me want to get the whole line of Z-series ratchets.
Im about half way there :) got about half of the zeal 36 tooth series only 72 tooth zeal I have is the regular 3/8 (178mm) and the 3/8 long handle (280) both 72 tooth, ok m just waiting for koken to finally release 1/4 and 1/2 inch in 72 tooth. That being said the 36 tooth are absolutely fantastic and have just as little backdrag as the 72 tooth, they use almost the same mechanism for ratcheting
My biggest (but small) gripe with them, is the selector switch is backwards when it comes to loosening and tightening setting
I think its cool they laser welded the handle; small details like that as opposed to a cheaper manufacturing technique help them stand out I think.
First off the low back drag test isn’t a very good test, though yes koken ratchets have beautiful back drag, but results are very skewed due to ratchet handles being different lengths and weights
This looks like an improved design! I do not use ratchets daily but if i did i would consider a 1/4 size. The smaller fasteners seem to give me more problem with back drag. Maybe time to upgrade a ratchet!
Icon is the best bang for buck and good for serious diy/professional with great warranty through Harbor Freight and Koken is the best you can get!
Here in New Zealand, I have a 1960s Koken 1/2" ratchet, well used and looks it on the outside but still working fine. I doubt I'll live long enough to need to replace it.
Koken is primarily a socket specialist tool company. They have very little ratchets or any other tool. They have a ton of patents, and collect royalties from alot of other tool manufacturers(including snap on). This ratchets where a long time coming, its the only complaint they got(low took count)
I wonder what design Snap-On uses that KoKen holds the design patent to? Snap-On only makes two designs for sockets: flank drive, flank drive extra. Both designs are copied by tons of manufacturers without any consequence because the patents have long expired. The first flank socket came out in the 70s.
@RandomnessTeacup possibly. I have had my Snap-On wobble extension for over ten years. I believe patents last for 7. I would like to get some Koken tools, but honestly, I have duplicates of almost every tool I own.
did you get a new camera? looks good! that super macro zoom tho...
And the handle looks to go all the way through the comfort grip meaning no handle flex like you get with other ratchets like the ICON, also it could be used as a striking cap when you need to bump something into place, I like it, nice looking ratchets and good work on the video!
You are correct it goes all the way through. This is the only comfort grip if even think about owning. I hate comfort grip except for the koken z series
Just got mine. Lets call the grip a late model tootsie roll. Has an action similar to my 3400 too. Even much sweeter. Good piece of kit.
In 2007 I bought a snap on FLF80 flex ratchet 80 tooth ratchet. I used it for 90% of all ratchet-related operations. Then I bought a proto (Italian made USAG 2527f) 3/8 flex ratchet that has a smaller head and surpasses the snap on in terms of access. The Koken are as good as snap on. But the switch is the opposite of snap ons. I work every day on cars. I am not able to settle on "best ratchet " for the work I do. Proto, snap-on, and koken are in that same echelon of excellence, they are all so get-the-job-done I can't decide...no other manufacturers come close to those three. Not hazet, stahlwille, tekton, et al...
So if you had a swivel head incoming-3/8", roughly 11-13" long-would you opt for a mini flex head and a standard fixed head version of these Kokens to round out your set? Or is there value to having the flex head in addition to the swivel?
These look amazing. I wish SK would release ratchets in their 6-pawl X frame design.
ive been wanting to get my hands on some premium japanese made hand tools, those look really nice.
try Nepros 72 teeth. its like Rolls-Royce of ratchets
@@lordjaashin i got the new nepros 90 and also these kokens, absolutely love the 2 and havent looked back since
Hard to appreciate these until start using them daily in tight space work .
superb mechanism. the sliding top 2 piece pawl is how they got lower back drag on the 72 tooth count .
quite a precision design hence the cost .
Would like see them do a locking flex .
For professional socketry and innovative solutions Koken are one not to overlook .
I've been using them for over 30 years and they made my job easier and at sensible costing .
You think better than snap on? In usa I have choice used snap on or this
@@qigongkylar944
I think Koken Z 72T the better buy, really nice ratchets, more suited to tight space jobs and not ultra rough/dirty work like say tractor/dozer repair .
Nothing compares to koken for the feel you get from the low backdrag & tight tolerance assembly .
@@mrb1864 I agree from videos I e seen thank you
Hello again Catus Maximus and Tiny
Thank you for another Great Video. What kind of oil are you using for lubrication? Thank you again
Your MN60 has the bed wetters switch. Mine has the prefectly round one. It doen't scratch my nail polish ;-)~
free ratchets.. good for you man....bout time somebody sent you one...or two..
What is the max torque limit of the ratchet?
Another fantastic review 👍🏻👍🏻🙏🏻
super smooth. ko-ken is good!
Does Koken make ratchet rebuild kits? SO makes it easy to modify and repair, which is why I like SO and Williams ratchets. Koken Z series are very well made, tight tolerance.
They do, I have found them on Amazon Japan. They Run about $30 and about $25 shipping
@@hpnotiqtheory you can get the here. KokenUSA $30 and free shipping
Are there replacement handles? Cause these are not gonna last a lifetime🤔
What is your favorite ratchet
Wow! Insane low back drag! Thanks!
You use Loctite to secure the screw...As it will back out over time....
I would recommend loctite pink or purple low strength, the red is for permanent I believe, Do Not use red on it!
a little heat and it easily breaks the red loose
Nice tools, high price. Next time you talk to them, ask them to send you one of their "Pentagon" titanium socket sets to review. Ko-ken TI4261M | Pentagon, Socket Set Titanium, 18 pieces, $3,533.34
I did ask, they told me no, I am too small a youtuber.
@@CatusMaximus I mean it was a worth a shot right? You're a big RUclipsr to me haha.
@@CatusMaximus That's too bad. I guess the pentagon tools are only for the government, since they can afford to pay $600 for a toilet seat or $100 for a hammer. 🚽
What kind of lube do you recommend using for fine-toothed ratchets like this Koken or others like Icon or Snap-On? Would something like Permatex 81950 or Sta-Lube SL3333 work?
Teflon Grease...Even Permatex Ceramic brake grease...The Purple stuff...
Koken said you can use wd40 or crc
Superlube.. It's what snap on use on they're ratchets
I have always used lightweight synthetic grease for my ratchets, what are your thoughts on that versus the oil you are recommending? I noticed your comment about grease getting hard over time, I have never noticed that with synthetic but was not looking for it either. Does synthetic grease harden over time too?
I always lubricate all of my ratchets with a combo of 80weight gear oil and 3 in 1 oil when I get them works excellent every time
Synthetic will not gunk up and get cruddy.
I've always used ptfe white grease. ratchets become super smooth and it never hardens up like lithium grease
Okay where did you get the ratchets from?
👍👍👍
They make great tools but better get ready to shell out snap on prices but their probably better quality
koken is cheaper, Not by much but cheaper. The quality on the other hand is high or higher on the koken. For about 1500$ you can get get a complete set of tools with koken opposed to the 3 tools you get with snap on(sarcasm 😉).
Review the nepros line
I have one of those ultra short/tiny Nepros 1/4" drive 'specialty' ratchets (NBR290H)... the one with 1/4" broached holes top & bottom. (We found it's good for one operation we commonly do.) Upon arrival it looked like fine art... but in actual use it's just... well yeah. Back drag is excessive, broached drive holes are kind of sloppy, and it's often difficult to actuate it's reverse lever & socket release button: _especially_ with oily hands. It was pricy as well. Sorry IMHO Nepros scores a non-plus here.
@@rwbishop ya after using mine for a while I'm not impressed with it... A gearwrench ratchet served me just as well
You can get the 3/8 long flex for 100$ shipped at DRPD tools I get nepros there 2
Snap-on uses Super Lube Grease
The Worse the tool, the more extravagant the packaging.
The better the too,l The more basic the packaging.
I mean, after all, who *isn’t* a backdrag queen? 💁🏼♂️
3:36 Back drag! I know it as "backlash', coming from woodworking (the depth adjustment wheel on the back of a plane suffers from it, for example).
@@dawright1988 thanks. now i have to look it up
Just saying, its a IP 8 screw, Torx-Plus 8.
Good lookin tools
Hey, good vid, thanks for doing it, I appreciate the effort . I’d like to see more of the higher end wrenches and ratchets reviewed.
Cheers
Alistair
I wish Ko-Ken would send me some free ratchets...
You and me three. Ko-Ken, if you can read this, consider some of us as good test and review avenues as well. Send them to Cat-Max to give to subscribers to hyper-activate sales...
@@paedahe4975 I used to sell tools for a living for a big Taiwanese manufacturer so I know a thing or 2 about tools... 🙄
That knowledge has me constantly looking and comparing tools to get the best of the best. And that's pretty addictive not to mention expensive. But one can always hope...
@@Richard1977 if your looking for Ko-Ken, may I suggest Amazon Uk or EBay Uk as they are less expensive through those avenues but there is a longer shipping time involved. I have ordered tools from Amazon Uk and Amazon Australia without any hitches.
my cat likes Koken, but my wallet says noooooooooooooooo. Good video.
I am impressed and that doesn't happen easily. I like the rivet on the flex head, easily resettable as it loosens with use. Finally a comfort grip that makes sense! Beautiful weld on that. The boxing means nothing to me, but that they sent it to you, who I watch every video of, intrigues me. I am hard on very expensive tools but they must be of the finest quality. If I spend $150 on a 1/4" ratchet (I have), it must not last years, but decades. The ones I have do. Or they go home. If this company wants to impress me, they need to send you more of their products to you to convince me. Break one and see how warranty works. I trust your judgement, Catus. Trust nobody new in my occupation and tools. Got to work, if questionable tools make questionable results, people could lose their jobs or even die. Thanks for this review.
why don't you just buy one yourself and do you own testing, instead of being cheap and relying on somebody else to do it for you.
@@glenndavis2762
I easily have over $200K in tools. Not being cheap. No justifying me to you. I make my living with tools. What is it that you do? I thought so.
@@upsidedowndog1256 Machine design and fabrication for prototype machines - I have much more invested in my machine shop, including tooling as well as hand tools. cheers
@@glenndavis2762
Nice! I stand corrected! I buy plenty myself, rarely online though.
@@upsidedowndog1256 cool - I'm a snap-on ratchet snob (especially the 1/4" roto heads) - but just got a few Koken short flex 1/4 and 3/8 and they are the real deal. so give one a try if you wish, I'm totally impressed with the quality
Two things manufacturing close fitting press fit parts is expensive.. And I'd rather a pin over a screw the screws back out and that's what causes failures
A lot of my fine tooth ratchets have very low back drag, for instance, Kobalt 90 tooth ratchets. I don't that as a reason to spend more than 100 dollars on these.
I reach over my Kobalt 90T and my Gearwrench 120XP to pick up my Koken Zeal. It is jut so smooth, like winding a watch.
one channel has a backdrag meter to measure
If you want most durable you go Hazet, if you want best versatility and number of different types of ratchets with best warranty you go Snap-On. Ko-Ken makes best impact socket types and best line of deep E-torx sockets on the market. Handle on Ko-Ken ratchet is to short and unergonomic
And not all ratchets require lubricant. Especially high tooth count ratchets. Generally, few teeth = lots of lube, many teeth = very little lube.
Shoulda used it
To much oil will effect the back drag.
🇯🇵
Nah I want a weld not a press fit.
Hey Catus, show us your face! we want to see your face!! lol
Ko-KeN ⭐⭐⭐
The Forth star is missing because you dont have a locking flexhead.
Those ratchets are impressive.
Moving up in status lol
Really expensive ratchets designed for really small children's hands.
Only nitpick is that the comfort grip handles look kinda ugly. Especially the rubber seam line.