Wayne wrote in with a question about Lowe’s Blue Hawk tool brand:
Do you know who is the manufacturer of these tools… looked everywhere for who really makes them!!!
Advertisement
Great question, Wayne, and thanks for the email!
Blue Hawk is Lowes’ entry-level tool brand. Consider their house brand of Kobalt tools. Based on the pricing and basicness of Blue Hawk tools, I would say that they’re positioned as more budget-friendly options.
Who makes Blue Hawk tools? Well, who makes Kobalt tools? The answer: many different OEMs.
Most of the Blue Hawk tools that I’ve seen are quite generic, with no special features or distinguishing features. This makes it difficult to identify them. (The same is true for a lot of entry-level tool offerings.)
There are some private label tools, under Craftsman, Kobalt, and Husky brands, which can be easily traced to an OEM tool maker, such as Western Forge.
Maybe it’s possible to trace the tools to their OEMs through the UPC codes, but that would take a lot of detective work.
Advertisement
I hate to leave my answer as *shrug, I don’t know*, but I really don’t have a clue.
I’ve bought maybe one or two Blue Hawk tools in the past, and I was happy with the performance for what I paid. I think one of them was a USA-made Robertson (square) screwdriver. Or maybe that was a Kobalt.
Derek
I’ve only bought Blue Hawk screws and they were terrible. They all stripped out before I even got them halfway in. Now I won’t buy any Blue Hawk or HDX products.
Chris
HDX is the worst. I have a set of HDX screwdrivers and they’re just terrible. The handles don’t seem that bad, but the steel is as soft as copper. Just really crappy tools made to appeal to, I don’t even know who.
Matt J
In general I regard Blue Hawk as Lowe’s version of harbor freight stuff. It’s cheap, it’s kinda hit and miss on quality and durability, but sometimes you don’t need the greatest and sometimes you’re pleasantly surprised by how usable they are.
Personally at the price point I’m not sure too many folks are concerned with where they’re coming from. But sometimes it’s fun just to learn stuff like that so I wish you well on your quest!
Matt J
We loaded up on their transfer shovels last year because they were maybe $10 each. I figured we’d snap em in no time but they’ve held up to daily use and abuse with nothing but a few cracks in the fiberglass handles.
Dee
Black hawk shovels suck. Purchased one in the spring…jokes on me used 3 times and it cracked..I’m 70 and a female so how much pressure could I put on..will never buy black hawk again.
Noah
Some big factory in China?
ACalz
with 10 year olds working 12 hour shifts….
Olmarv
What’s your proof
HFMark
Olmarv, chill… it was question and a speculation… Noah gave us a question mark and ACalz began without a capitol letter, signifying a coy continuation of Noah’s question… The proper response is “Yeah, Huh Huh, probably”…
James
I bought Blue Hawk blue painters tape that literally would not stick to the trim I was trying to use it on. Straight in the trash.
John E
You should leave it on the roll for a couple of months, the glue gats so sticky you can barely peel it off the roll. “You get what you pay for” has never been truer.
Toolfreak
Why not take it back for a refund or exchange instead? Seems like a waste of money.
James
Given its $3 price tag, it just wasn’t worth the hassle.
HFMark
My favorite Blue tape was HDX, “HomeDepotExcusive”… Unfortunately, where I live 3D brand made them remove it from the shelf… HDX elastomeric caulking underwent the same treatment by DAP… It’s sad when a manufacturer would rather extort than compete… Competition is what gives us the best products…
RX9
As is the case with Harbor Freight, HDX, and a number of other store “value” brands, manufacturer varies from tool to tool, and even from production run to production run (that’s why HF lists the same item under multiple SKUs). If you really want to have an idea of who actually produced the tool, search for that tool type on Alibaba, and click on any pictures that resemble what you have. There are literally thousands of different small factories in China, India, and other parts of the world that are in the business of competing for production contracts with end retailers who label under store brands.
HFMark
That explains why some Harbor Freight purchases last for years, and their replacement could last for days… The first meat slicer I bought from Harbor Freight cut great and lasted years, the next 3 barely worked and died so quick, I brought them back within days… There was something so obviously wrong that I tried every one on the shelf, in the store, and found the same flaw in all of them… maybe I should try again, Thanks…
RC Ward
Blue Hawk? They are just Harbor Freight look alikes that anyone buying should know what they are getting. Or most likely not care what they are getting and not really that into tools.
HFMark
Sometimes you don’t need the best… Sometimes, “If it gets me through this job” is good enough… A lot of us do alot of differing things and some things rarely…
Bob
The UPC code is a good investigative approach if anyone is interested in furthering the search. Typically the first characters represent the manufacturer, I don’t recall exactly how many. But if Lowes is contract manufacturing all their Blue Hawk products then I suspect Lowes would have their own UPC and then all Blue Hawk stuff would look like Lowes is the manufacturer, but we all know that is not technically correct.
DH
I’ve only bought Blue Hawk sawhorses, and they work…
fred
I looked over my inventory. Seems I bought 3 Blue Hawk items – all because they were not critical items – and might even be said to be OK if they got trashed after a single use.
Some Cheap tie-down straps (Part # 0349240 RK3PK-12BK) bear UPC
071514012230 and were made by or for Jarden (Lehigh Group) in China
A wire brush (Part # 0324859) bears UPC 048661344873 and was made by or for Warner MFG in China
A brass brush (Part # 0425635 SGY-WELD2) bears UPC 879686003984 and was made by Shining Golden Yida Welding & Cutting Machinery in China
I bought a HDX mop (UPC 071798700205) made in the USA by Quickie (a Jarden Co.). A HDX paint mixing bucket (UPC 084305382283) was made in the USA by Leaktite. Some extension cord winders (UPC6935554912155) were made by Ningbo Well Electric Appliance Co. LTD. in China — And a throwaway notched adhesive trowel (UPC 010306901130) was made by QEP in the USA
So as Stuart and others have said – both brand names are placed on tools from various OEMs
Adam
Fred, you scare me a little sometimes.
Adam
Matt J
+1
Drew M
Fred scares *me* all the time. =P
Diplomatic Immunity
Fred, you never scare me. You wealth of knowledge is greatly appreciated. I kinda wish there was a Fred’s Corner section on Toolguyd.
Benjamen
fred is quite active in the forum: https://discuss.toolguyd.com
He outposts both Stuart and me combined.
Luke Skywarner
You know, I wonder if it might be interesting to readers if you did a few reviews of some Blue Hawk tools (or any budget brand). I feel like people have gotten harshly judgmental of a tool as “crap” solely because it’s made in China or Taiwan, even though it’s perfectly usable and durable. Showing them what actual crap is could be fun and enlightening. Review it as you would any other tool.
Derek
There’s a lot of those reviews for Harbor Freight out there, haven’t seen anything on the other budget brands. It would be interesting for some ToolGuyd user reviews in the forum on them.
Curt Freese
I have purchased some power tools at Harbor Freight that are still going after seven years, and some plumbing tools that were total crap. Just depends on what you buy there. The prices are low, so if you are not a contractor using them every day then they should work fine.
HFMark
There’s the truth
Brian
Blue Hawk tools are made in the Chinese factory that isn’t good enough to make tools for Harbor Freight. Never buy Blue Hawk, they don’t use steel, it’s like a shiny paper mache.
Mickey
Blue Hawk tools are tool that you only buy on blowout clearance to give as a gift to someone you don’t like.
Patrick H
I bought a blue hawk welder in a pinch figuring I’d use it till I got something better. Turns out it was a gem and has actually been a pleasant surprise. I think they are definitely that harbor freight brand of hit and miss.
Toolfreak
I have quite a few of the Blue Hawk and earlier Task Force branded tools from Lowe’s. It depends on what tool in it, but they generally are better quality than Harbor Fright, pretty much the same exact thing as the Ultra Steel house brand tools at walmart. In fact, walmart now carries some of the exact same tools Lowe’s no longer carries since switching from Task Force branding to Blue Hawk.
They’re fine for occasional use. If you want a warranty, buy Kobalt/Craftsman or spend the bucks and get something high end from an American/European manufacturer.
I haven’t had any trouble with the stuff I’ve bought, the wrenches are rough but fit great, the screwdrivers turn screws, the saws cut fine, etc. I like having cheap tools I can grab and not care about messing up or using on rusty/nasty stuff so this stuff is great – AND I get the benefit of having cheap tools without supporting HF or putting up with the nasty stench their tools have.
Lynyrd
To answer the original question;
Blackhawk is currently a sub-brand of the Proto division of the Stanley Black & Decker
For those interested below is the evolution of the Black Hawk name which has and interesting connection with Husky.
HISTORY:
Blackhawk Manufacturing was founded in 1919 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin as a subsidiary of the American Grinder Company (later named Applied Power Corporation).
In the 1930s Blackhawk (and Husky) was sold to New Britain Machine Company of New Britain, CT. New Britain was purchased by Litton Industries Dec 1972. Litton dissolved its hand tools div in the 1980s, and sold Blue Hawk (and Husky brands) to National Hand Tool of Farmers Branch TX. Stanley Works Corporation acquired the both brands with its 1986 acquisition of National Hand Tool.
MADE IN ASIA CONNECTION:
National Hand Tool had been founded in 1978 by Kirk Koo Chow. Chow was owner/CEO of NHT until its sale to Stanley Works on December 31, 1986. Chow had developed a ”cold forming” process that speeds up production of forged metal products and reduces waste, a major reason for the purchase. Chow was retained as a “consultant” after the sale and was subsequently elected to Stanley’s Board of Directors.
Chow was also the President of Taiwan’s Chiro Tool Mfg. Corp. and CEO of the seemingly-related Ruey Yang Tool Mfg. Corp., also of Taiwan. After the acquisition of NHT, on Feb 1987, Stanley paid Chiro Tool Mfg. Corp., partial production facilities of Ruey Yang Tool Mfg. Corp., and Ruey Yang’s two branch plants in the U.S. Chow was named Stanley’s VP for Asia and Pacific region.
Stuart
Blue Hawk: A Lowes private label brand.
Blackhawk: A Stanley Black & Decker brand positioned slightly below Proto.
They are NOT the same. Blue Hawk is NOT a SBD brand.
aoctees
Just got off of the phone with Lowe’s. Blue Hawk is not a company at all, it is an exclusive Lowe’s label. If you need replacement parts Lowe’s says they are the only ones who can give that to you and if they do not carry the parts you are S.O.L. My question to them was, not unlike MTK, you can still get parts from other distributors of different labeled items which are made by the same manufacturers, why can’t you tell me who the real manufacturer is, and where i can get my parts? No comment.
Robert
It’s Blue Hawk. Not Blackhawk.
Adeline
I bought a retractable razor and I cant even open it to load razors into it . Their products suc
Coach James
A close relative gave me a Blue Hawk 1/2″ drive ratchet and Blue Hawk socket set. I appreciated the gesture and gratefully thanked them. I also put the tools to use. I’m sure they are not the same quality as my SK, Wright etc. tools, but the ratchet has been used many times and has not broken nor have the sockets.
Dismissing an entire line of tools as garbage is meaningless unless the context of their use is considered. A mechanic for Joe Gibbs Racing would most likely find Blue Hawk tools lacking, but someone that uses them for light duty jobs a few times a year might find they work fine.
Toolfreak
They’re not garbage, just lower end. A lot of tool snobs just operate on the basis of having the best or not having anything.
I can see the need for a store to stock lower end tools though, you can’t just stock one line of tools and expect everyone from homeowners to professionals to buy it.
They do work fine for occasional use, which is what they’re intended for – something for the homeowner/DIY’er to grab for less money than the Kobalt tools, which they don’t want to pay 2-3x for and probably don’t need. A lot of people who go to those big box stores just buy the tools to do one specific job and then never use them again. Even though they’ll last for occasional use, they’re essentially being sold as cheap, disposable items.
HFMark
Lowe’s countertop hole saws are relatively very cheap, basically one time use… how many holes do you have to make in your countertop? I’ve never seen them anywhere else, for the nonPro… cheap tools can be nice
MikeakaFazzman
I have some HDX stuff that ive gotten for my kids that turned out to be fairly decent stuff. Granted my kids are 10 yo and under but ive tried them out a bit and they are made fairly well. I also have quite a few HDX plastic shelving units in my garage which are great . Ive heard rumors of the OEM being keter on those shelves.
I also have one Lowes Blue Hawk branded shelf they are nearly identical. I rarely go to Lowes because there are like 6 Home Depots closer.
HFMark
Yep, there is always 6 Home Depots closer…
jacob
mostly like form Chinese OEM tool suppliers, such as Honestools Industrial Company LTD., their products include forging bricklayer trowels, garden hoes, rakes, forks, scrapers, picks and so on. Personally, as a marketing manager, I had cooperated with them for almost 10 years. Gonna retire, recommend them to any distributors interested in.
Jade Q Washmon
The Idiots at Blue Hawk decided to shorten the metal handle, this changing it’s anchor point (but keeping the same handle length) on the forged plastic section allowing it to lose rigidness & break easily – too easily to be of use.
I took 2 back and replaced them before I figured out the problem comparing it to my 4 year old rake of the same make and model #0863612 skew #55625 04082
Clearly some accountant in conjunction w/an educated but very inexperienced engineer (iow ‘never raked a day in his life’) decided that could lower unit cost. LOWE’s should sue them — cause it’s LOWES name that is taking the hit.
John P. Porter
I have quit buying Lowe’s house brand tools for the most part. Thus I shop Home Depot more than I used to. It seems that Lowe’s quality and customer service is on a downward spiral. All too often you get what you pay for. I would rather pay a little more for a name brand and get the quality that will last.
Benjamin Franklin said “The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten” I agreed although I still get burned too many times.
Shannon Edwards
Does anybody have a blue hawk customer service number to be able to get ahold of the home office wherever they are located if so you can text it to me at [redacted] thank you and have a blessed day
Stuart
Your best bet is to contact Lowes.
HFMark
Customer Service is a result of management… I always buy from the Home Depot in the neighborhood of my job so the tax money goes to their city… BUT there are some Home Depots I boycott for periods of time, waiting for a change in management, which always seems to happen…
Menneset
True story, I came across this post because I was looking for the mythical BlueHawk(dot)com website as I was going to leave a review of their Junior Hacksaw. It is a small red frame job with a six inch blade. Belive it or not, I just quite successfully used one to cut a nickle-iron meteorite (Gibeon) in half. It was small, the cut was about 1/2 inch long and 1/8 inch deep. I made a holder on my 3D printer to brace the piece securely with slots to guide the blade. The saw cut it very cleanly, only using one blade–the one that came with the saw.
My last diamond blade for the dremel was bent, this was handy, and I am I guess more innovative than I am patient. Anyway it worked great! You get what you pay for, but sometimes I guess that is enough.
Stuart
I’d love to hear and see more about this! Are you going to polish and etch it next?
HFMark
“Made a holder with a 3D printer”… AWESOME!!!!!
Linda Cahill
The adjusting Blue Hawk rake that I used ONE DAY has come apart and the plastic broke. The idea of a rake that you can adjust the path’s width as well as the handle length really appealed to me. Too bad it became useless so quickly! I will try taking it back to Lowe’s but I don’t have much hope that they will take it back and issue a refund.
Brent Walker
I feel you, brother. I jet bought 2 Blue Hawk plastic shelving units for my garage. Instructions were pretty clear. Product was for shit. No 800# for assistance. I’m going to avoid Blue Hawk everything from here on out.
Shawn
If there is a particular tool somebody is interested in I coukd tell you who makes it. Gotta get back in town next week to check but I can find out most any Blue Hawk, Kobalt, etc. Even stuff like other brands bits and accessories which aren’t always made by the manufacturer of the tool.
Gary
BLUE HAWK is made by United
http://www.uniteddsn.com/blue-hawk/#blue-hawk-1
Stuart
No it’s not, but interesting find!
That company works on brands. Lowes and Blue Hawk was their client.
Derek
As an “Insider” I know for certain that Blue Hawk products are made in various countries by many different manufacturers and that the quality from ship to ship differs widely. As does most of the unrecognizable everyday name brands that one will find in their local Lowe’s stores. For instance, the black pipe that is used for gas lines is not all manufactured in the U. S. but much is done south of the border and is cheaper in price and quality. For most stores, this is a detriment because employees have to thread the pipe twice in order to get a clean thread surface. Not exactly what I consider a good seal for the gas in my own home, even though it will seal properly if installed professionally. The earlier comment on the tape is another good example of you get what you pay for. The tape is near useless but it does however come in handing as a prop for things during certain projects, so I guess there can be a silver lining in product.
Kevin
I bought a Blue Hawk pressure washer spray gun from Lowes and the main valve only lasted 3 uses. Junk!!!
Tim
Does anybody have a phone number
David Dodd
Have a 3/8 set shallow, both standard and metric and a 9 piece 6 pt. deep socket set 1/4-3/4 the shallow set is 3/8-13/18 ,8-15mm ,their not bad tools I carry them in a toolbox used to ride in my Case loader ,now they ride in my pickup there equal to HF. Brought my best tools home seems they want to grow legs and walk away that’s why I took my best ones home Snap-On , Craftsman Mac Tools I would recommend them for home owner or in a travel box give them 4*.
Greg Lantz
I bought a residential slide bolt lock for a garage door today 10-7-17. I got home only to find out they sold it without any mounting hardware in the package. I won’t buy their products after this. For some reason the product instructions assume there was a previously installed lock that the hardware can be re-used from….
Curtiss R. Price
I need the cutting blades for BLUE HARK Loppercs 24in.Thank you.
Cecil Dean Gibby
I purchased a Blue Hawk Pressure Washer Hose from Lowes on July 12, 2017. Only used it a few times before last winter. Got it out this year and when I powered up the pressure washer noticed a huge bubble (about size of golf ball) appeared at hose going into metal end. Lowe’s only offers a 90 day refund. They said only thing I could do was to contact Blue Hawk to see if you would make it good. Apparently others have had problems per reviews posted at your site. Apparently the material used was defective. Per Lowe’s the model # is 40232.0. It is 5/16 in x 40 ft. Total was 48.60 -5.40 military discount equaling $43.20 plus 7% Georgia tax. Will you make it good??
Stuart
Blue Hawk is a Lowes brand. If they won’t help you, you could try to track down the OEM – the company that makes the hoses for Lowes and Blue Hawk. But if the item is covered under any warranty, you’d likely be asked to talk to Lowes about a replacement or return.
Robert Storks
I need a 1/4 inch collect for my Blue Hawk router. Anyone knows which other brand name would be the same as Blue Hawks ???
Patrick B.
I bought the blue hawk 64″ adjustable storage system. None of the pegs will
Stay in the holes. The S hooks seem to be okay for now.
frank
bought a blue hawk pressure washer hose yesterday. its dead today. came in contact with the exhaust and promply melted. paid 55. dollars for it. what junk. never buy this product again. what hose doesn’t come in contact with the exhaust? never had a problem with any other hose. feel ripped off.
DCDaddio
Chiming in on the ‘got what you paid for’ riff. I’ve got a Blue Hawk 50pc “auto set” — misc tools, mostly socket wrenches and other stuff. The selection is perfect for a small kit that can live in an auto trunk. However — two beefs — the plastic molded case is decent quality and generally “traps” all the tools in their little pockets. With the notable exception of the wrench sockets themselves. So — the one time you open the case “upside down” … and you have two dozen little bits bouncing all over the place. Also, there’s an adaptor to neck down the 3/8″ socket wrench to the smaller set of bits that are 1/4″ (I think). That adaptor plain sheared off the first time I used it to tackle a 13mm seat bolt in the car. So — OK for lightweight stuff, but not anything that requires max torque on the socket wrench. I think if you treat this stuff as consumable you’re more likely to be OK with it. Generally I don’t like buying stuff that is destined for landfill but the rest of this kit will probably have a normal life span.
richard zeh
I am looking for the part number for the pump fan on the Blue Hawk 0210212A
Stuart
Sorry, I can’t even find a product listing with that model number. If you can find the product manual, there might be a phone number to call for parts.
Danny V Green
Can parts for Blue hawk framing mailers by bought somewhere? Or does anyone know if other brands may have the same piston spring seat?
Scott Cranford
Lowe’s item number 1617025 is an eight piece paint kit. It comes with a paint tray liner. I would like to know where I can purchase more of the liners.
Stuart
Is it the same liner as Item #133383 Model #02110?
What about Item #40353 Model #02110?
Breezy II
This site has been very helpful …I’m a DIY diehard… Trying to repair a Blue Hawk tow behind dethatcher . It came to me bent and missing some small parts. NO information about it’s proper assembly , to be found. Lowes no longer carries it ?
Similar products don’t cover the problem…? Any thoughts ?
Thanks in advance Breezy II
Stuart
I’m sorry, I tried to find the OEM but it’s not easy. Are there any phone numbers or service stickers on the dethatcher? You could also try contacting Lowe’s, they might be able to point you in the right direction or provide a service number for the manufacturer.
Breezy II
Lowe’s reply is rubber stamp “No longer Available” service personnel are unfamiliar with the product… and trying to locate an in-store person often leads to a long wait with elevator music and ads… Thank-you for your reply ..IF something does turn up please feel free so pass on any and all info. My next trip to out I’ll stop by the farm equipment store to check out anything on display…
Tim
Where can I get parts for the blue hawk metal saw horses? Missing the short nuts and bolts on the ends. Tried to find replacements with no luck. Any help is appreciated.