A reader (thanks, Fred!!) pointed to DRPD, a custom bike shop that became a hand tool supplier, and I finally got around to testing them out.
A few years ago, DRPD posted to their social media page, following a series of posts about recent bike builds:
Cycling friends & family… we are pleased to announce the DRPD Tool Shop is now open for business! Finally @pbswisstools @knipex_official and @usagitalia are available together in the USA. Brought to you from San Luis Obispo, CA by a group of cyclists that simply love working on bikes as much as we do riding them.
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Today, DRPD operates a small but polished online storefront featuring these tool brands:
- PB Swiss Tools
- Knipex
- KTC
- Koken
- Nepros
- Keiba
- Norbar
I took advantage of their Cyber Monday deal and placed a test order. The order included a mix of PB Swiss and Koken, with a sampling of Keiba pliers since I’m not familiar with the brand, and a Nepros T-handle socket driver.
A couple of items I was interested in had sold out – which does happen during Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals.
My order took a little over a week to arrive. Everything about the order was perfect – I got everything in one box, and there was also an envelope with some tool brand stickers.
A lot of smaller tool shops tend to list what they can sell you, not what they have on hand. DRPD had clear messaging regarding what was in-stock and orderable.
The tools were packaged reasonably well. The average experience these days tends to be disappointing, and so “reasonably well” is actually better than average.
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I emailed them from my gmail email account on 12/17 (a Tuesday), at 4:37pm their time:
Thank you for a great ordering experience (this was my first time). Do you anticipate there being any more coupon/discount promotions in early 2025?
They replied 10 minutes later, at 4:47pm their time:
Thank you for the kind words and your purchase. Currently we don’t have any planned sales or discounted sales slated for early 2025. I would encourage you to sign up for our newsletter which keeps you informed on any flash sales or discount offers. Happy Holidays!
DRPD has a nicely curated selection of brands, a very highly usable and easy to navigate website, the ordering experience was pleasant and problem-free, and they were highly responsive to an email inquiry towards the end of business hours. There’s also a phone number listed on their website.
DRPD delivered an enjoyable and hassle-free experience.
I couldn’t test out their customer service to the fullest extent, as nothing went wrong with my order or the tools, but I have a good feeling about how it would go.
Their pricing seemed competitive, although in some cases they didn’t have the lowest prices around, even with Black Friday/Cyber Monday promos.
The best part of this is that DRPD carries brands that tends to be very difficult to source, namely KTC, Koken, and Nepros. I’ve bought these brands from Amazon Japan and some of them direct, but it can be a hassle.
It’s also great to have another source for PB Swiss.
100% I’ll order from DRPD again.
Chris
Doesn’t appear to be a certified seller of Koken tools. It’s not listed on the Koken website. Koken USA out of Boston MA is the only authorized US retailer.
Chris
Nevermind! Found their DRPD link on a separate page on Kokens website 🙂
fred
It is good to have another source for KoKen tools. I’ve bought from both DRPD and Palmac with decent results – sometime waiting for backordered items. Koken has some items that are not found with many other brands. I’m thinking about some of their double universal joints, threaded rod drivers and wrenches, Whitworth universal sockets, and bits like these:
https://www.zoro.com/ko-ken-form-tie-70mm-14-hex-drive-bd003e-i/i/G404326819/
https://www.zoro.com/ko-ken-cement-paste-remover-12mm-6-point-105mm-for-construction-site-14-hex-drive-bd013e-12/i/G904374228/
MM
If anyone is looking to order things from Japan there are many “deputy services” which act as an intermediary or proxy. You pay them, they purchase whatever goods you want on your behalf, and then they re-ship the goods to you. I have used Goody Japan for more than 15 years, there are others too. These services are great because you can purchase from shops that don’t speak English and/or won’t ship to foreign addresses. Many of them have web interfaces or apps that let you buy or even bid live directly from Japanese web stores like Yahoo Auctions Japan or Mercari.
I bought some Japanese chisels and Yari-kanna last year. I noticed that a very large percentage of the listings on Ebay were ripped off from Yahoo Japan or Mercari: sellers were simply taking Japanese listings, translating the text and re-posting the exact same photos on US Ebay with a huge price hike. Deputy services charge a fee, but it was much less than the Ebay flippers. They also handle special requests, translate questions or negotiations between you and the seller, and so on. This is another option to consider if there’s something you want from Japan.
Jared
Thanks for the tip!
Justin
Good place to buy from shipping prices are fair. If you do not hit free shipping mark.
Gary T.
Ordered from DRPD a couple of times over the last 2 years. They usually have a few sales per year. Its best to order when the sales begin to avoid out of stock on items you want to purchase. Shipping has been great and pricing is decent. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend purchasing from them.
Kris Petrie
I just got a 10% off first order email from them yesterday.
JR Ramos
I’ve ordered from them three times. Quick and complete each time, and two of those three times they had the best price on the PB Swiss items I bought. Sometimes for that brand Amazon is the cheapest but availability is so spotty. I thought the packaging on mine was great…maybe Amazon has jaded me but it was nice to see something packed by hand with a modicum of care and human input. On my first order I sent an email just to be sure things were legit and the “in stock” really was in stock…very fast and friendly reply.
Dustin
These guys are great. I have ordered several times and couple years ago they had a 40% off all PB Swiss, which I took advantage of.
mark w
I’ve placed 3 orders through them now, drawn in by pb swiss item availability. All orders have been smooth. They have some cool custom bit-selections in nice belt-mountable fold-out cases that are under promoted imo. Very nice way to get intopb swiss bits for less than other options I found at the time.
James
Hey I’ve been coming to your blog for reviews and deals everyday. I love it. I am looking for a generator for my house and not sure the size. I was wondering if you could help with how to figure out what size works best for your need and maybe what brands are reliable. I’m not interested in a whole house generator.
Stuart
I’m sorry – I’m not very experienced with home backup generators.
mark w
Welcome! You come for the black Friday tool deals, you stay for this beautiful little slice of “old internet” blog action that represents some of the least “clickbaity o-face” content in the internet.
mark w
Alot of people online like the harbor freight predator, I recommend checking out IMJOSHV on YouTube. He’s a car detailer but they need generators and he daily’ed predator generators for a long time. I think they also have a favorable warranty. I also see my local food truck/farmers markets dominated by the HF predator generators. Project farm in YouTube I believe also has a series on generators. These things should definitely point you in a good direction.
ElectroMike
I had read this and then placed my 1st DRPD order. I got a few PB Swiss items, the new AC voltage test light screwdriver with much brighter LEDs rather than the std neon lamp, a tungsten carbide center punch, and some other small things. Also some of the pro hobby precision pliers from Keiba. Service was fabulous. I had to return something (wife changed her mind on a Keiba plier for forming rings on jewelry parts) and that was very easy. I’d found a coupon code and gotten free shipping. Great to hear about them, thank you as always!
ElectroMike
Got this press release from them today.
DRPD Suspends Partnership with Kyoto Tool Company (KTC) and nepros
March 9th, 2025 – San Luis Obispo, California
We regret to announce that DRPD is suspending its 5 year partnership with Kyoto Tool Company (KTC) and affiliated nepros brand.
What Happened?
At the beginning of the year KTC presented a substantial (50%+) price increase to USA Retailers, and despite ongoing discussions, we have yet to negotiate a positive resolution.
In accepting these proposed changes, DRPD would be unable to continue delivering the value that you have come to expect on KTC and nepros tools in the United States.
We have been fielding an increasing number of inquiries from customers regarding our lack of KTC and nepros stock and aim to provide ongoing transparency into the situation.
What Next?
Existing KTC and nepros inventory will be available on a clearance basis. Listings will be unavailable once stock is depleted.
All open backorders for KTC and nepros products will be refunded.
We will continue talks with KTC in hopes of finding a future solution.
This decision has not come lightly and we are absolutely disappointed that we are currently unable to deliver these great Made in Japan tools to our valued customers.
Rest assured that DRPD remains committed to providing you with the best tools available and will continue to do so by expanding our offerings with both existing and exciting new premium tool suppliers.
Your Voice Counts.
Share your support below:
Let DRPD know your thoughts @ [email protected].
Let KTC know why DRPD is your preferred choice for KTC & nepros tools in the US @ [email protected].
Important: Please remain polite and professional.
Stuart
Thanks for sharing this! Where did you see/find this message?
ElectroMike
Hi Stuart, & thank you for all your help to the community! I got an email from them that day. Maybe because I’d ordered something from them within the previous month. I checked and saw whatever liquidation looked to be cleared out to misc sockets and nothing exciting, but always worth noting. Take care!