I live in Japan, ko-ken is the least common of the big brands here and oddly can be tough to find without online ordering (ktc rules, with tone right behind due to being in hardware stores). Nevertheless ko-ken has the respect of those that use their tools daily. I have experienced all the major US, Europeans, and Japanese brands to find myself leaning towards ko-ken everytime. They too are one of the few family owned, small-sized companies to still exist in the tool world.
I get the feeling that Ko-ken are almost more interested in making the best product they can, than making more and more profit, and expanding, and marketing aggressively. You sometimes see that in some old-school Japanese family companies. It’s also amazing to me how many innovations and designs they’ve pioneered throughout the years. They are such a cool company, and I can’t live without their tools now.
Not too keen on any type of T-handle, but I already bought the Ko-Ken extensions in 1/4 and 3/8 several years ago. The wobble extensions are a must have, and the newer ones with the beautiful knurling are great for finger starting spark plugs and other bolts in remote locations. Definitely a must have for automotive use 👍
Something about the free spinning ko-ken t handles bring me a lot of joy. I know they are limited in use but they are just so well made. Thank you for sharing
It’s my understanding that Koken is actually the innovator of the wobble fix and has/had the patent for the design and licensed it out to others, even snap on. I’m sure the Snap-on’s are great and will last forever!
Wobble extensions allow up to 15 degrees of offset from the center position since torque is not significantly changed. This is also why flex head torque wrenches are limited to no more than 15 degrees of flex from the center position
@@BrandoDamo just beware, some of these companies have their tools made in Taiwan and are not worth the effort to get. KTC has a mixture of Taiwan and Japanese made. Tone is largely Japanese, but not all are exactly great, tone is kinda like the Kobalt of the Japanese world, not bad, not great. I'm a bit biased towards ko-ken, small, all Japanese made tool company, with every product well-made.
@@coboldelphi Yeah, it’s a bit of a shame but some things virtually exclusively made in Taiwan (like ratcheting wrenches for almost all brands). I’m with you on Ko-Ken, I love the way they do things and how they run their company. KTC’s Nepros brand is (as far as I know) exclusively manufactured in Japan. Other items it’s just a toss up. It really is impossible to avoid tools manufactured outside of Japan. I just wish companies like TONE would step up and be honest about where each item is made. KTC is good about saying “made in Japan” or “made in Taiwan” for each product.
They kind of suck to be honest. I do use them occasionally because they adapt up in size while being extremely low profile; but I MUCH prefer the Koken and Nepros spinner adapters 99% of the time!
That T Handle looks ideal to keep in the car in case of Breakdown or whatever. I'm in the UK, wonder if I can get it here. I've just bought a Zeal 3/8 ratchet (3/8 head, not a 1/4 with 3/8 anvil)
Nice video. I have some Koken ratchets and sockets as well, but one area I think is a bit “iffy” with Koken is their warranty. Yes, Snap-On is even more expensive than Koken, but Snap-On has a rock solid warranty (to original purchaser at least). So, anyone have any comments on the Koken warranty experience?
I once had some defective chrome which started to bubble and Koken replaced it no-issues, and the defective item went to Japan to be looked at. Now if we, the user, simply cause damage to a tool I imagine they will be less likely to just replace it like snap-on would, but I’ve also have no experience with that. Snap-on is definitely worth it in some cases.
