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shermers

Quality hand tools wanted

18 years ago

I am finding it very difficult to find any American made simple hand tools, trowel, hedge shears etc. I have been very disapointed with the chinese made tools I have had. (Most need to be replaced already).

All the box stores around me TSC,HD,Lowes,ACE,Northern all sell similar junk.

Do I really have to buy online without seeing and holding what I am getting?

Does anyone have any suggestions? Am I just being too picky? If I am please say so.

I'm not trying to stir anything up. I really just want to buy some tools.

Comments (9)

  • 18 years ago

    I would suggest getting out of the box store rut if your looking for higher quality tools. The box stores will always be there for those who don't take their gardening serious or simply can not afford better.

    Not all but some sales and service power equipment shops will have hand tools as well. So will many larger nurserys and landscape supply stores. Think outside the box.

  • 18 years ago

    IMO It's really hard to find total american made products now days and if you they will probably be nonexistent in ten years. Only a few companies still cast or forge there own products in the USA with all the EPA restrictions, labor force libilities, and labor costs.

    Plus it you do find a quality tool it's 4 times the cost of the cheaper ones and there is now garrentee it's made in the USA. Sad, but spend what you can afford and when they wear out get another unless you can rebuild them.

  • 18 years ago

    The better quality tools are still available but yes, you will pay more initially. However, they will reward you over time. I have seen good product at Home Hardware.

  • 18 years ago

    Thanks I'll keep looking as depressing as it is. The landscape store will have some stuff, but my local garden store has the same chinese stuff as the box stores.

    Canguy, I believe Home Hardware is in Canada only. I googled it.

    LOL. I might find the best quality stuff at garage sales.

    Or maybe I should learn to weld and forge. But I digress.

    Thanks for listening

  • 18 years ago

    Go to a larger flea market, and buy the older Snap-on, or Craftsman tools you might find there. Most of them are still good. I have tools that i bought 40-50 years ago, and they still work good. I also have a Snap-on box wrench that slips, but my Craftsman box wrench doesn't, and they are of the same era. Do not buy anything made overseas, except for tools made in Taiwan. I've had those tools for many years and none have failed yet. Mostly sockets and hand wrenches.
    When American cars went to metrics, the American tool companies hadn't gotten their acts together, so it made the purchase of foreign made tools necessary.

  • 18 years ago

    He is looking more toward garden tools. Garant and Tru-Temper are very good. Samurai, Felco, and Silky make excellent saws and loppers. Corona is more common but the quality is not there.

  • 18 years ago

    Look up Hamilton Tools, in Pittsburgh, PA. They have excellent used tools for sale at good prices. I have bought many tools from them over the years.

  • 18 years ago

    Lee Valley Tools sells fine quality gardening tools.

    Here is a link that might be useful: Lee Valley Tools

  • 18 years ago

    I have had good luck finding hand tools at Ace Hardware. I am not sure of the country of origin, but I have purchased several gardening tools there, and have had no problem with breakage/bending.