Ballenxj wrote:
Griff in Fairbanks wrote:
On the other hand, I still have the needle-nose pliers and continue to use them, as recently as yesterday. (Those needle-nose pliers are still my favorite ... I haven't found any others that serve as well for general all-around use.)
Griff, if you ever get the chance, try a set of needle nose pliers made by a company that bears the name Wiha. These are carried by Boker distributors, as in Boker Knives. Made in Germany, and fine precision tools. No, I don't work for them. I recently found their tools in an electronics supply store too.
Thank you for the suggestion. I've already checked out their website.
I already have several needle-nose pliers, in various sizes and from multiple companies. However, just like carpenters have favorite hammers and chefs have favorite knives, I really like my old needle-nose pliers.
On the other hand, I plan to buy a better crimper for crimp-on wire terminals/connectors so I'll definitely consider Wiha.
Where a tool is made is not necessarily an indication of quality. Fifty years ago, Taiwan had a reputation for shoddy, substandard products. Since then, some of their companies have made significant improvements, to the point where some of their tools are equal to or better than tools made in the U.S.
On the other hand, Germany has long enjoyed a reputation for precision engineering and manufacturing, which included tools. (During the Cold War, West Germany maintained that reputation while East Germany slid backwards.) However, there is one major German company whose products I flat refuse to buy, due to a completely dismal experience with one of their tools and their customer service.
Finally, "Made in USA" isn't, and never has been, a completely reliable indicator of quality. Some U.S. companies once had a stellar reputation but have fallen drastically in terms of quality, mostly due to mismanagement. Likewise, some companies that were bottom tier have managed to improve to the point where their products are now top-of-the-line.
The bottom line is: Buyer beware. Read reviews, be open minded, examine similar tools from multiple manufacturers, and follow your instincts.
I should also note I sometimes buy less-than-the-best tools, especially when I know I'll only be using them a few time and can't borrow or rent them. In those cases, I view them as low-cost "disposable" tools needed to complete a task.
