The other day there was a nice post over at One Project Closer about purchasing tools made in America. After I left a short comment, I started thinking more about how foreign tools are perceived. The truth is, they’re not all bad.
A lot of people focus on where a tool is made without pausing to think about why it’s made there. Not all companies are run by profit-crazy heartless dirtbags, a conclusion that helps me purchase imported tools on occasion without guilt.
Here’s a summarizing statement in case you don’t have the time or endurance to make it through to the end of this post: Don’t blame foreign countries for producing inferior quality tools, blame the companies that knowingly slap their brand names on such products for greater profit.
Advertisement
The idea that foreign tools are inferior to USA-made tools is not always fair. Do I prefer USA-made tools? Absolutely. I also try to buy tools that are made in Canada, England, Spain, Swizerland and other such countries. In many of these cases, the tool brands are market leaders with long-standing reputations of unmatched quality.
In my opinion, it is also reasonable to purchase certain tools that are produced overseas from day one. If a production factory is first setup in Taiwan, no USA jobs have been lost. As long as such tools are well made, I won’t rule them out. In some cases, it would be extremely inconvenient or cost prohibitive to dismiss the tools without fair consideration.
For example, Gearwrench’s Roto Ratchet 1/4″ and 3/8″ set can be found for ~$50, whereas Snap-on’s 3/8″ ratchet sells for $94 by itself. The Roto Ratchet was never made in the USA (to my knowledge at least), and it is highly unlikely that I would ever purchase the Snap-on version. The ratchets are well built, so I had no qualms about purchasing a set despite my strong made in the USA tool preferences.
Many companies such as Irwin closed US factories and shifted production overseas. In some cases tool quality suffers, but this does not have as much to do with where the tools are made as it does with how well they’re made. Companies trying to cut costs may pass the knife to factories who will then try to cut the corners anyway they can.
On principle, I avoid buying anything from companies I perceive to have “sold out”. They might use marketing terms such as “designed in the USA” and “assembled in the USA.” More often than not, it can be challenging to find out where exactly the tool components are actually produced.
If it takes me longer than 30 seconds of looking a product over or 2 minutes of googling to find out where a tool is made, I might send a quick email or make a quick phone call to the company. If I still cannot find out a tool’s country of origin, I move on to that brand’s competitors.
Advertisement
When a company does not openly disclose their products’ origins, it says to me that they have little pride or trust in their products. It is a rare occasion that such a move is not made intentionally by marketing depertment. As I’ve mentioned before, companies that openly disclose where their tools are made, even if it’s outside the USA, are examples that should be followed.
Instead of outsourcing, some companies choose to create new product lines that are made overseas. Spyderco and other knife makers come to mind. This allows for companies to offer a lower price point on certain tool styles to a wider audience.
Tools made outside the USA, particularly those made in Asia, may be inexpensive, but they’re not always cheap. Too many people are under the perception that these countries are incapable of producing tools to the same standards as USA factories. What I’m trying to say is that responsibility for shoddy manufacturing should NOT be blamed on factories in China, Taiwan, Pakistan.
Without a doubt, a tool that sells for $5 (including free international shipping) when a USA-made equivalent is $60+ is going to be of absurdly low quality.
I bought an imported cross-slide vise for my drill press from an industrial supplier about two years ago. The vise is so sloppy and of such low tolerance that it’s unusable. I have learned other similar lessons in the past.
I try to support domestic manufacturers whenever possible because I want to be able to buy the same USA-made tools 10, 20, 50 years from now. If there’s an insurmountable issue with cost or availability, then I try to opt for a “western” made tool, or a reliable import. After that, I do my research and try to find a suitable option. If all that I can find are no-name or rebranded generic imports built to be as cheap as possible, I look for alternative tool designs and start over.
One trend that is becomming a problem is the mob mentality I see on some enthusiast forums. A few people will bash a particular tool that’s made outside of the USA and then craziness will ensue. Then, a few threads later, some of those that jumped on the import-bashing bandwagon will boast about their Harbor Freight coupon escapades.
If you can’t already tell, I have a lot to say about this topic. I have additional biases and preferences when it comes to USA-made and foreign-made tools, but I’ll save them for a later discussion.
James Williams
While I prefer top quality USA brands I have found that there are great alternatives to some tools. I’m not sure who builds the actaul tool but do know they are built in Asia. They are very well built and very capable of doing anything a USA top name brand tool can do and in some cases are made much better than some USA brands and rival that of the higher end tool truck brands. As you said It’s unsettling that Some top quality brands including the Rolls Royce of USA tools Snap-On feels the need to be so hush hush and where some of their tools are built. Many other trucks brands beat Snap-On to the outsorced market and it hasn’t done anything but hurt them. While profits may be up for them now I have to ask myself where will they be in 10 years. While it seems as though this company is desensitizing the American Technician market other companies such as Craftsman seemed to have pushed too hard too fast.
Craftsman who is using the same part numbers on USA and China built tools just seem to riding a wave of reputation but as more people return US tools and get back Made in China tools I feel like it will finally hit home and they will feel whats happening. I don’t like the games major games that big US tool companies are playing.
Kudos to Channellock for stepping up and leaving no question in your mind where there tools are made. Unlike Snap-On’s Dual80 ratchets that no longer have USA marked on them. Snap-On is so tight lipped on the subject that the dealers can’t say for sure where they come from and Snap-On isn’t telling.
There have always been cheap forgein tools out there. The biggest differance now it the quality on these “Inexpensive” tools rival the best of USA tools. At least with some of the non domestic tools you don’t have to wonder and as you said no USA jobs were lost because of them. A person who has 20 dollars to spend on a widget can actually go out and find a well made non domestic version vs 80 dollars for one that was maybe made in the USA, Partly made in the US or made to appear made in the US. Thats the really irritateing part. Hide and seek when it comes to the tools you buy can only last so long. With once great tool companies it’s frustating. The other ones that leave no doubt or expectation it can be refreshing.
ImportTuner
Excellent write-up ..
fred
I know that a lot has already been written and more is yet to come about the shifting of manufacturing from the US to other countries – and the globalization of economies. This may be a natural progression of things – or as some predict – presage an overall decline of the US as a preeminent economic power. I’m no expert – but we probably reached some zenith of our manufacturing power and prowess during and just after World War II – when we were often called the arsenal of the free world. I suspect that we were also feeding a good portion of the free world – and their armies during WWII.
When I began my working career – and woodworking hobby too – in the 1960’s – much – but not all of what tools I bought were made in the US. Many woodworking tools also came from factories (like Record, Marples, Henry Taylor and others) in places like Sheffield England. I also bought some precision tools and carving gouges made in Switzerland and Germany. At that time, I don’t think that I ever thought about Bosch, Freud, Fein, Mafell, Laguna, Virutex, Lamello, Protool and other European names as tool makers to meet my needs.
At some point – I recall in the 60’s or 70’s some venerable US brands seemed to be in decline – producing tools of lesser quality than their forebears. I think US made western-style hand saws and planes from folks like Disston and Stanley fit into this category. Full-line power tool manufacturers, like Black and Decker and Skil, were also producing a real mixed-bag of tools from good ones like the Super Sawcat and 77 wormgear saws to real low-end junk. Milwaukee and Porter Cable (part of Rockwell International back then) seemed to try to hold the line on quality and single-minded purpose of catering to the professional. Then Makita (probably Toyota and Datsun too) started changing our thinking about goods made in Japan – offering better and better tools as the years progressed. Lots of tool companyconsolidation and “re-purposing” of brands started – continuing to this day. Dewalt – a name synonomous with the RAS – was put on losts of portable power tools – becoming the B&D professional line. When B&D acquired Delta and Porter Cable – that seemingly resulted in a bit of a problem – and I think that the PC brand has suffered. Recently – Stanley seems to be trying to capitalize on its Bostitch brand recognition – in a similar way. All of these brands seem to have moved some if not all production to China.
So where do we find ourselves today? From my perspective – we still have some excellent low-volume woodworking hand tool production in North America – from folks like Lie-Nielsen, Wenzloff, Clark & Williams and Veritas to name a few. Much has been made of moving Unisaw production back to the US from Taiwan – and some larger machinery is still made here. We also have European toolmakers – like Festool, Fein, Mafell, Freud et. al. making quality products – but probably not with mass-market appeal. Most other small power tool manufacturers like Bosch (Skil-Bosch), Milwaukee, Makita, Dewalt, have moved production to China. Why is this? I suspect a combination of factors that start with perceived pressure by consumers for lower costs , thinking by marketers that quality is important – but is trumped by cost and profitability, and that the march of innovation, consumer desire for constant change and planned obsolescence means that quality can be compromised through value-engineering. Moving production to China or elsewhere, may mean lower labor costs (wages, fringes and benefits), reduced costs for environmental and safety compliance, fewer labor laws, and governmental incentives like lower taxes or outright subsidies. For countries like China and India – a positive side effect is that their standards of living are increasing – at least for some parts of the population that is involved in the higher-end of this growth. India and China are also now educating a larger percentage of the world’s engineers – which may ultimately translate into better quality products.
Mickey O
I disagree, any and all Asian tools are bad for this country.
David
I’m with Mickey O.
Fred @ One Project Closer
Stuart, first, thanks a lot for mentioning an article on our site. This is an important and interesting topic all around.
I guess the one question I would post back to you is this: what if a company makes a certain product in the US (let’s just say a “widget” because that’s the word everyone picks)…
Then a competitor comes along and makes a similar product for much less by outsourcing the product to Asia, S. America, or elsewhere. The competitor’s product steals market share from the first company, dramatically reducing sales and potentially squeezing the company’s profits into losses.
The first company feels compelled to move manufacturing overseas to stay competitive.
It seems like from your post above that you would be OK buying the competitor’s overseas-made product, but not OK buying the first company’s product…
I know that’s probably not an everyday scenario, but it definitely happens, and it’s happening more often. I personally like buying high-quality American-made products and am even willing to pay a premium, but I sympathize with companies who feel like their only option is to go overseas.
Stuart
Wow, that’s a tough question. Personally, each of my tool purchase are objectively and subjectively made. Then again, I tend to overthink my purchases more than most consumers do.
Going along with your scenario, let’s say company A’s USA-made widget is $100, and company B’s imported competing widget is $40. There are a lot of factors that might influence my decision.
Many of the customers buying widget B would not have purchased widget A anyways. Company A might have several options available before outsourcing their widget. They could grow as a company, releasing new products and services. They could introduce a widget A-2, which might be outsourced overseas allowing it to be offered at a competing pricepoint. Spyderco does this with their “Tenacious” knife. Companies that target multiple audiences have a better chance of surviving strong competitions from imported products.
I’m sure that there are companies that are backed into a corner and have no choice but to shift production overseas. It’s unfortunate, but if they can maintain build quality I’m not quick to dismiss their products.
But there are also many companies that claim that they’re backed into a corner and that they’re shifting production overseas to remain competitive. Product quality is then seen to suffer and the new import tool prices remain comparable to USA prices. These are the types of companies that I try to avoid as much as possible.
Harry
I have always said, judge a tool by its own merits regardless of where it was made. A tool’s performance is far more important than where it comes from. Just like a quality tool is more important than ease of warranty replacement. What puzzles me is the deep hatred of foriegn made tools particularly Asian made tools, by people that drive imported vehicles. I just don’t get that. I have mostly US made tools. However, many of my recent purchases are foriegn made. Lately it has become a matter of availability. The US made selection of ratcheting wrenches is limited at best. Of course personal preference plays a large part too. Channellock is good but, I think Knipex is better. Lastly, is it better to buy a lower quality US made tool perhaps a Craftsman raised panel 36 tooth ratchet, or a Gearwrench fine 60 tooth ratchet that is finished nicely but, made in Taiwan? A good tool is a good tool regardless of where it was made period.
Aberdale
I agree with Harry. Evaluate any tool on it’s own merits, not by it’s country of origin, nor even it’s brand name. We all look for clues or evidence of quality or the lack thereof. We ultimately base our purchasing decisions on whether a product is a good VALUE, more than cost or COO alone.
The vast majority of my hand tools are made in USA. But I also have tools from Germany, Japan, Taiwan, and yes, even China. 99% of these tools have provided satisfactory performance and durability. A few pieces (both foreign and US made) have been a disappointment. (Remember Craftsman Robogrips?)
In my way of thinking, we should reward companies that make and sell quality products, and punish those that don’t. The easiest way for us to do this as consumers is with our wallets. Eventually, if we don’t buy cheap inferior products, retailers will no longer carry them, which in turn will force manufacturers to stop making them because there is no market.
Stuart
Harry, Aberdale, I completely agree with your points. My criteria for purchasing new tools goes beyond simply seeing who makes it and where they make it.
But, I do hold biases for and against certain companies beyond objective considerations such as tool quality and value. Say there were a few restaurants in town, and you kept getting food poisoning at one of them. Would you continue to go back there anyways because food tasted really good and the prices were reasonable?
Mike
Interesting topic. I always wonder about how many of USA made only zealots have ever been on the manufacturing side of the fence. It just so happens I am. I agree that a lot of companies are selling their souls but there are just as many that are making a mixed bag of components stateside and in Asia. A lot of that is driven by a cost target in the market. You can build a great USA branded product but if it’s twice the acceptable cost in the market and nobody buys it then all those hardworking Americans are looking for a job regardless. That cost driver isn’t because materials are cheaper overseas, because it isn’t. The reason is labor rates in the US are between 15-20 times higher than they are in China and India. And sorry kids 90% of US workers aren’t any more or less qualified that their friend in china. When you see a Chinese made POS out of some crappy looking “steel” it’s not because the guy pouring it didn’t know what he was doing it was because a bean counter in the western country paying his $1/hr wanted to make it out of that. Quality of a product is a decision of the managers of a company not the guy making it.
David
Are you trying to insinuate that all of us diehards that insist on USA made tools only are a bunch of narrowminded, unrealistic toolists?
Iceberg
Made in Canada
Made in Canada means that at least 51 percent of the content is Canadian.
– At least 51% of the total direct costs of producing or manufacturing the good have been in Canada
– “Made in Canada” representation is accompanied by an appropriate qualifying statement, such as “Made in Canada with imported parts” or “Made in Canada with domestic and imported parts”.
No thanks “made in Canada” Chinese tools,toolboxes etc
Maikeru
I’ve seen this debate rage on like crazy on not just tool forums, but knife forums as well. However, I have to agree with the fact that if a tool is well made in another country AND by a foreign manufacturer from that country, then it’s fine. I have nothing against purchasing a 8″ chef’s knife from Toledo, Spain or the same from Germany or Switzerland or a santoku from Japan (although I could purchase one of those from the KAI group under the Shun name and it would be likely that it was made in Oregon, USA—and I’d be fine with them having made it in either Japan or the US).
Anyway, most of what I’m purchasing these days are folding pocketknives and multi-tools, so that kind of makes it easy as the only ones that seem to be of any good quality are either made in Oregon or made in Switzerland.
David
Know it all “global economy” proponents can call me silly if they want, but it’s USA only for me when it comes to hand tools, no exceptions. I’ve had tradesmen pick at me because I am only a simple homeowner DIYer and own nicer quality tools than some of them, but that’s my choice and I am not ashamed of it. I’m not wasting my money when I am supporting American jobs, boycotting Chinese products, stocking up on quality tools and owning tools that will be able to be passed on to my children and grandchildren.
Elliott
I live in Australia.. We have a similar situation here..generally tools made overseas in places like China,India are quite OK..the quality is dependant on the price that the importer is prepared to shell out on manufacture..recently we had three ranges of Stanley tools,three different prices,3 different qualities..DIY -professional…all tools are made by machines nowadays,the machine can be located anywhere on the planet that is favourable to manufacture,cheap rent,labour ,electricity etc..manufacturer only thinks of profitability,materials can be imported into factory from anywhere in the world,turned into tools,and shipped out again,chrome from Turkey,Iron ore from Australia, hickory wood from USA goes to a free economic zone in Chins and comes out as a claw hammer and is exported to anywhere really..quality should be judged in the shop,not upon country of origin,but by name of reputable maker, stated specs,quality labelling such as DIN,ANSI etc,and careful examination of product…here in Australia we used to have several good companies, Sidchrome mechanics tools fully home grown company,also Turner screwdrivers also home grown…quality was always very good indeed,people referred to Sidchrome as a quality standard same way they do to RollsRoyce..problem was even in its heyday, fair proportion of Sidchrome was sourced from OS,due to low requirements..easier to import than to make due to low numbers required..quality was always high standard..sourced from reputable factories with ISO ratings etc,carefully checked here..Following the removal of our tariff barriers by the worst prime minister we ever had..the accursed Fraser…our factories couldn’t compete against imports and were bought up by Stanley who closed factories and transferred production to Asia.. People here swear that quality was better when it was made here and Vintage Sidchrome sells well second hand but truth is quality is just as good if not maybe better in the new stuff..its not where it is made but how well it is made,..give them the machines and the Eskimos will produce quality