Harry Epstein Co. is a “mom & pop” style tool store that specializes in USA-made tools, and they often have a nice selection of closeouts. Sometimes they have unique tools and gift choices.
I’ve ordered from them a couple of times, once or twice for editorial samples, and it’s always a good experience. We’ve known – and trusted – this store for years.
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Ask for “box art,” and they’ll decorate your shipping box. It’s a nice touch, and optional.
We asked if they were running any Black Friday specials, and here’s the list I received:
5PC Machete Set – $19.95
Polartec Overalls – $6.95
Council Tool Velvcut Axe – $99.50
Council Tool Single Bit Jersey Pattern Axe – $24.95
Mitutoyo Micromter 0-1″ – $29.95
PEC Electronic Measuring Kit – $79.95
Italian Military Pocket Knife – $7.95
Rabone Chesterman Precision Rules – $9.95
Who couldn’t use a… 5pc Columbian-made machete set? Or a vintage Italian pocket knife?
If you have the time, take a look around their online catalogs. They have US military modular patrol sleeping bags, Chinese military cargo parachutes, German-made 4″ reciprocating saw blades, “new old stock” USA-made Craftsman cushion-grip screwdrivers, SK hand tools, and they still have the USA-made 20pc punch sets I posted about last year.
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Thom
I bought the punch/chisel set with the pouch about a year ago and have used it many times since. For that price you getba quality American made set that will you can pass down to your kids!
Thom
Come to think of it I have the Craftsman cushion grip screwdrivers too..
Adam
To me, the best thing about HJE is the PEC factory seconds. Combination squares, rules, gauges – everything you could possibly need in your kit for measuring as a woodworker for 25-40% of the NIB cost. I stocked many a gift packs with those tools.
CaveSAR
The Polartec overalls are a great deal – s/b 9.95.
I got several similar pairs a few years back on Sportsman Guide for double the price.
Sizing note: On mine the waist runs true to size – Large for a 36″ waist. Will fit over street pants but best over long underwear.
The legs are shorter than normal – short is a 23″ inseam. They are “high water,” since they are designed to fit over/above the “Mickey Mouse” pac/LL Bean winter boots. Too short inseam was the chief complaint on the SG reviews.
Skye A Cohen
Thanks for the heads up, glad to know about these folks. Also it gives me an idea for a potential future post I’d love to see.. a post compiling independent online tool retailers, there used to be so many and now it feels like just a few Giants and a couple hand fulls of very specific market independent retailers and I wonder if they’ll last or fizzle away.. anyway a post highlighting them would be nice for them and for us..
Also just want to say I really enjoy your site, when I type something into my Google bar, actually I just click in there, before I type anything you’re often the first suggestion. Keep up the good work and thank you.
Stuart
The difficult is that there are a lot of online retailers and different reasons to go with them.
I like Tool Nut for Festool and they have some good power tool promos.
Acme sometimes has better prices and they have wider selection.
Amazon is hard to beat when it comes to price and speed.
Home Depot is okay, but I have lots of problems with how they ship certain things.
Lowe’s is… I try to avoid them for online purchases, at least for more specialty things, since they have run into fulfillment issues and cancelled my orders too many times.
Zoro has some good hand tool and supply prices.
Carbide Processors for tooling.
MSC for industrial supplies, and McMaster too.
International Tool and Ohio Power Tool are affiliates that I’ve talked to and heard great things about, but I don’t think I’ve ordered from them yet.
With online sales, margins are slim and competition fierce. Some retailers have put in a lot of effort and rose to higher name recognition.
There are still lots of local suppliers that don’t seem to have interest in online sales.
fred
We bought from many local briks and mortar store in the Northeast region where we did business and (with some had accounts). These included ToolsPlus, Coastal Tool, AW Meyer, Ace Tool, Dynamite Tool and ToolNut. I think that all of these now have an online presence. We also bought online – notably from Grainger / Zoro, Acme, ToolUp, Ohio Power Tool, International Tool, Southern Carlson / Toolbarn, Nail Gun Depot, Timberwolf Tools and Great Lakes Power Tools. For personal use – I’ve also bought from Hartville Tool and recently MaxTool . I know folks who seem to like CPO (and their subsidiary Tyler) – but I had several (probably not statistically significant) bad experiences with them so I’ve avoided them. With Home Depot – I prefer to have them ship to a nearby store – where its easier for me to stop by with my truck – inspect the item and then take it home (or return it if there is an issue.) The few times I tried Lowes – it was not pleasant – so I gave up on them. With Grainger – pricing was always a bit strange and depended upon how much you bought on an annual basis. Their Zoro affiliate often seny us deals for 20 to 30% off – sometimes making their normal prices look very attractive on tools from Starrett, Williams, Proto and some others.
D.B.
My daughter lives in K.C. right across the street from Harry Epstein’s so I try to go when visiting. There’s never enough time to see all they have in that store. I’ve bought several Mora knives from them at really great prices.
Robear
I bought the Larry Epstein tool set. The one with the shovel, saddle, hammer and rope. It said the rope was used, but looked new to me. I got it from an estate sale online. Said it was a house on an island or something.
Eric
Wish I could visit the store. Found some great deals I couldn’t pass up. Same goes for other deals you’ve found. One stop shopping with the links. Thank You for your time & effort you put into toolguyd!
Tom
Those Rabone Chesterman rulers are really nice. I think that company went under decades ago.
johnboy
The machete and pocket knife comment in the post is awesome. Absolutely hilarious man. We could all use a 5 piece Colombian made machete set & a vintage pocket knife.
Stuart
Your name must be PG. I’ve changed it back to one of your older ones in the meantime.