Every now and then I receive a physical press kit, usually a fact sheet or printed press release, maybe a thumb drive, and they almost always include a tool sample.
A press kit draws extra attention to a new tool release. Think about it – what would grab your attention more, something physical that surprises you in the mail, or an emailed press release that competes with many others for your time?
Advertisement
One time there was a small CNC-carved wooden box that held a couple of brand fact sheets and a product lineup catalog. Another time, something made from heavy duty tape (a belt?). Sometimes a press kit will include some test materials, for testing a tool in a suggested manner or scenario. A few months ago, I received a press kit box that had mating pieces of extension cord as the handle.
Klein recently sent over a press kit for their new heavy duty pliers, and it was pretty cool.
I’ve read about some pretty crazy press kits in other industries, such as video games. Klein’s kit doesn’t set the bar at a whole new level in that kind of way, but it was very nicely done. I felt it to be a very good presentation.
It might sound weird, but I tend to notice presentations. For instance, in addition to oohing and ahhing over new tools at a media event, I’ll take notice of the physical presentations – the graphics, the demos, the posters, the multi-layer printed-to-foam-core-board display boards… whatever is on display.
A good presentation makes it easier for me to digest the information that matters. A bad presentation makes me work harder to gather what I need to know, piece by piece.
Advertisement
Klein sent over a press kit to promote their new heavy duty wire strippers. Open the box, and there’s a test sample of the new wire strippers (my first impression is that they’re pretty awesome), a flash drive, and an LCD display that plays the promo video!
You might think “so what, it plays a video,” but it brings a smile to my face. I’ll eventually take it apart to see how it works, and to see if I can repurpose any of the parts.
And the wire strippers? They feel pretty darned solid. I’ve only done a few strips with them, but they seem like good heavy duty wire strippers that can also double as pliers for gripping, grabbing, and twisting tasks.
Here’s the promo video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y90fJy8pB-U
I wasn’t sure if or how I could talk about the press kit, but I thought it was fun and wanted to share.
Part of the fun is how the video in the box looks and sounds. You have to view it directly or the colors skew, and the sound is an assault on my senses. I mean this in the nicest way. It’s not like they could or should have had smartphone or tablet quality. And whatever they did use might be reusable in a personal project.
The video is a little over the top, and the first 2 times I watched it from the press kit box, I thought there was something wrong. Why is it shaking?!! Oh, that’s the video.
So the video itself is a little cheesy, and that just makes everything more fun. I wouldn’t have had the same response if it was drably done.
Now, if you excuse me, I have to watch the video one more time before finding some hardened wires to cut.
COO: USA
Price: $30
Buy Now(via Home Depot)
Buy Now(via Amazon)
Preview(via ToolGuyd)
I LOVE press kits! I hadn’t received one like this before, and that’s part of what made it special.
There’s a charging cable, for recharging a battery via USB, but after a few more plays I’ll dissect everything to see if the electronics can be salvaged. I’m hoping yes!
Cr8on
That is super cool, I to am impressed with the details of a good presentation, years ago I was awarded a “years of service” gift from a former employer that was packaged so well I almost couldn’t bring myself to dispose of the box etc. I often laugh at Apple’s packaging but know that it’s part of presenting a good product.
Szymon
I have been using these for a few months now and really like them.
I still have my regular stripper in my toolbelt as well.
Just a few things to note.
Due to the heavy duty aspect these are thicker.
This is not so good when you want to shorten screws that either hold a receptacle/switch using the thread holes provided
Even more so if you want to shorten the screws that hold the wall plate. (especially when installing wall plates on counter top receptacles and tiled backsplash)
Another note
The outside edges of the nose tips are very sharp. I just took some sandpaper and smoothed them down as I found they were scoring the inside of my leather toolbelt
Other than that they are great
Jim Felt
Good observations. I’ve had a pair for months and I’m still grabbing the thinner little bro more often.
Maybe just a habit? Dunno. Time will tell.
Stuart.
A disposable LCD display?! Interesting drop in price point. And battery operated I assume. Ain’t tech grand?
Pete
Seen this from tools in action 2 weeks back?? Pretty cool.
Nicholas Ranella
I like them for wire strippers, but give them a try to cut some 12 AWG romex or big thhn and they are horrible. Great strippers and pliers, but horrible wire cutters.
Joey gresock
I don’t know what you’re talking about. Work in the trades as an electrician have used these now for a few months love them. I’ve cut 10 awg no problem. Yeah, they still won’t touch my side cutters as far as cutting mc but as far as Romex and thhn these cut great. And they save me a lot of time being able to make joints with them and not have to yo reach down for my side cutters.
Marty
I bought this pair when they first showed up in my local Home Depot and I think that it was a prototype or just bad quality control. Mine have a squared off nose instead of beveled and they are just a hair off of being good strippers.
Brian
To that topic of the mailer, these are not too uncommon these days. they are super basic tablets with no actual function beyond the movie itself. They can be had for $5-20 depending on the size of the screen, they may come with a USB recharging cable as well. For targeted advertising like luxury autos or B2B mailings, its becoming fairly popular.
It is a great little gimmick as you can be pretty certain the recipient will view it. its amazing what technology has made possible.
Dan
Look like they copied Milwaukee’s design with the plier tip feature.
Michael
I used my Milwaukee’s a lot before I retired but still used the thinner ones as well. Never found a one size fits all tool.
Steve
Stuart- Totally unrelated, but you guys need to look at those new Hercules drills and drivers from HF….looks like they’re stepping up their game!
Stuart
I took a look, am debating how to post about them. The first tip that came in said they looked like Dewalt rip-offs, and I can’t quite shake that idea out of my head.
Jim Felt
Copying is the the sincerest form of flattery? Kinda HF’s long term business model?
Like the $50 “Rolexes” in Times Square?
Jonathan
If you tear into that packaging, I’ll bet you’ll find a USB hookup. On an airgapped machine, you can likely then also load your own video files.
Do it for science. Do it for the seasonal video loops like a Yule Log. It’s festive!
https://youtu.be/JJPaQ9F9nFg?t=29m17s
ed ski
I use my strippers for more automotive than house wiring. What I like about mine are it also can do buttcrimps. It is thinner metal than this, and can shear screws closer (first poster point out that its thicker and screws might not get a shorten as you need).
Needs improvement or variant for us low-voltage guys. 😉
Jon
Seems like they are playing catchup with Milwaukee. I switched over to Milwaukee as they were much stronger than the typical wire strippers. These looks nice but can’t say they will replace my Milwaukee set.