Japanese Tools Showcase 36: Ko-ken / OH Industrial

[@DDB168]

I didnt know Rakuten Global had resumed - good to know.

[@chriscas-ToolAficionado]

Yes and no. Unfortunately the English language version (Rakuten Global) storefront has not come back yet. Yes, in the sense that you are still able to shop on the entire Rakuten market and utilize their international shipping service (Rakuten Global Express). If you have the patience and feel adventurous enough, you can still shop through the full Japanese domestic Rakuten Ichiba ('Ichiba' means 'marketplace'). Here's a link to Rakuten's How-to guide: globalexpress.rakuten.co.jp/onlineshop/?lang=en In that page there's a link to "How to shop at Rakuten Ichiba" : globalexpress.rakuten.co.jp/onlineshop/howtobuy/?l-id=onlineshop_en_howtobuy I'm going to Pin this so that others are aware.

[@DDB168]

@@chriscas-ToolAficionado Thanks for the info.

[@jasonweishaupt1828]

We know where Boris lives now so we can come and visit and play with his tools. 😂

[@CPthetooladdict]

I've purchased all my Ko-ken products in direct relation to the great content you put out thanks for another great video!!!

[@toddwittke3173]

Me to. What up cp! Wooooooooooooo

[@chriscas-ToolAficionado]

Woooo, cheers CP!!!

[@WorkingViews]

Very cool to see the pb swiss mallet after ten years of use. I'm deciding which Ko-ken ratchet to get first. Thank you for the reviews!

[@8power0]

THANKS SO MUCH FOR THE VIDEOS , REALLY LIKE THE TOOL REVIEWS THANK YOU !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@chriscas-ToolAficionado]

Cheers!

[@ChargerE49VC]

I LOVE my Koken tools!! I plan on buying me some more. I am looking forward to trying the 72 tooth, but, that elastomer handle just leaves me feeling cold. I love the handle on the Nepros, and I'm hoping they (Koken Zeal) move to a knurled handle like on their standard ratchets. Can only hope.

[@chriscas-ToolAficionado]

I hear you on the handle choice. It would be nice if the Z-series will expand to include different handle options, like they do with their standard series: smooth / knurled / comfort

[@Mr.Thermistor7228]

dude yess!! i actually emailed ko-ken saying id love it if they make the zeal series with their knurled grip on the other ratchets they make. i have a few of there knurled handles and they are absolutely phenomenal feeling. they really aren't rough at all and feel really great in the hands and plus i think they look way better as well. ko-ken is the only comfort grip i can tolerate, normally i wouldn't even look at a ratchet if it had comfort grip

[@Mr.Thermistor7228]

i have ko-kens standard 24 tooth knurled series ratchets as well as zeal 36 tooth and zeal 72 tooth and every one of those series has equally unbelievably low back-drag. it is incredible how they do it. i am honestly most surprised at how smooth the 24 tooth version is. i think a large majority get it totally wrong equating high tooth count=smooth and low tooth count=rough when in reality tooth count is not a factor at all when measuring back-drag and how smooth the ratchets mechanism feels

[@AutobahnDan]

Awesome to see another video! I’ve always known Koken to be designed and tested so well to where there is no warranty, but It looks like now Koken USA has a warranty. Looks like you have to pay for shipping and I don’t know if it has to be purchased from a credible dealer. Might want to check it out if it works!🤔👍👍

[@chriscas-ToolAficionado]

Interesting. I'll have to check that out. I wish our land border opens up so that I can spend my 💰 with Ko-ken USA. 😁

[@AutobahnDan]

@@chriscas-ToolAficionado hopefully I run into their booth at SEMA! I’ll definitely ask about the warranty and shipping to Canada! 👍👍

[@chriscas-ToolAficionado]

@@AutobahnDan i just saw their IG post. Yup, they will be there! Have fun over there. Please tell them I said Hi 👋 😆

[@issuma8223]

Looking forward to the 72-tooth in 1/2-inch. They say it will be out next year.

[@chriscas-ToolAficionado]

Interesting. I wasn't aware of that. I thought the new 72T release was for their 1/4 drive.

[@joujimiichi1]

I too have heard that the comfort grips can sometimes rotate when a lot of torque is applied. For this reason I had never purchased comfort grip until I bought a koken zeal 3/8”. It’s definitely my go to but I have since ordered a Nepros 3/8” but am still awaiting its delivery

[@chriscas-ToolAficionado]

Ironically, just days after posting this, the TPR grip on my 3/8 drive Zeal flex-head gave out. From exerting rotational force, I sheared off the "foundation", which prevents the grip from rotating. The grip still remains intact onto the handle though, and still serves as my daily ratchet.

[@joujimiichi1]

@@chriscas-ToolAficionado NO!!! Well damnit, I suppose I will use the hell out of my koken until the same happens. THEN I will start using my new Nepros. Unless of course I’m feelin real fancy that day 😝

[@joujimiichi1]

@@chriscas-ToolAficionado are you going to warranty?!

[@chriscas-ToolAficionado]

@@joujimiichi1 never thought of doing that 🤔 I would for sure if there was a Ko-ken truck that came to me or if a retailer existed locally.

[@joujimiichi1]

@@chriscas-ToolAficionado the logistics of me having to send my only one back and wait for replacement would suck because it is in fact, my only one but I would feel better about it if I had a second zeal in the shop while I sent in the first. It would almost be worth doing just to make content on. Educate your audience on the process, headaches/ease of doing an over-seas tool warranty through Koken Japan. Of course it’s easy for me to suggest simply because I am curious and isn’t the one who has to pay shipping costs, make the calls and send the emails. If you do warranty, please make a post or video. I would love to know if that is a feasible option if needed.

[@MarkFox]

Good showing Chris! I'm hoping Koken doesn't take another 10 years to release 72T 1/4" drive models.

[@chriscas-ToolAficionado]

Thanks Mark. Believe it or not, they are going to release the 1/4 drive models in 2022!

[@MarkFox]

@@chriscas-ToolAficionado OK Chris we are rapidly approaching the end of 2022 and still no 72T 1/4" models for sale. Do you have any intel from the homeland?

[@chriscas-ToolAficionado]

@@MarkFox intel from Japan has spoken. No chance for distribution for this year. Overseas demand for Ko-ken tools has pushed things back and its looking to be spring 23'

[@joiion913]

Very interesting history on the elastomer grip and other key details. It’s amazing how you learn these things. I barely know the inner details for local mastercraft brand tools lol I’d love to add in the long 3/8 72 to my set but I’ll wait for 1/4 72 to release so I can save money on shipping 😅

[@chriscas-ToolAficionado]

Mastercraft tools! Lot's of exciting things to discuss about them....errr, maybe not 🤣.

[@runamopimopi9722]

I was looking for a combination shockless hammer and was thinking about using pb, but OH Industry is also interested😊 runa mopimopi

[@chriscas-ToolAficionado]

Oh, hello Runa! 👋 My CS-05 #1/2 is their smallest size, but I think you'll feel the larger CS-10 #1 to have a better recoil-less action. . ルナさん、コメントありがとうございます。無反動のフィーリングはこの小さいCS-05 #1/2よりも、CS-10 #1の方が効果が有りそうな気がします。

[@WizzRacing]

Them Ko-ken Z cushion handles will not move. I use them outdoors all the time. In the hot Texas sun laying on the ground...While I work on vehicles.. And trust me they get hot, unless you toss a towel over them or in the shade....Not sure what they use to secure it. But it does stay put...And that cushion grip gives me something to grab. That will not burn my hand like bare metal does..

[@chriscas-ToolAficionado]

Comfort/hard handles in the winter time has its benefits, but since I work with a roof above me, I've never thought about having to work with tools too hot to handle. Funny thing about the over-molded elastomer grip...shortly after I made this video, my older Zeal ratchet suffered from a broken handle. Thankfully the handle hasn't come off, but it does rotate.

[@Stevieboy7]

Just saw YVR on the box! I own a leatherwork supply store if you ever want to pop in and chat tools!! Hand and Sew Leather in New Westminster.

[@chriscas-ToolAficionado]

Just had a glimpse of your website. Looks nice! Thanks for the invite!

[@FierceFurious]

Did that double universal joint fail because of use on impact? How reliable are they? I own double in 3/8 and single joint in 1/4 and was wary of using them on impacts.

[@chriscas-ToolAficionado]

They aren't rated for it, so I've never subjected them to impact use, but they always get used on cordless drill drivers and ratchets. I had a few occasions where I would be spinning a fastener loose with a cordless ratchet in a tight spot, and in that process the ratchet head gets hung up on a object. When that happens, the ball joint gets the full load (the weakest link in thr chain), making them flex beyond their working range. This happened a few times over the course of its life until it finally gave out. I can't remember if I mentioned it in the video, but I consider this user abuse.

[@FierceFurious]

@@chriscas-ToolAficionado got it, thx! Personally i consider the double joint to be the best product in their lineup. It's so compact and fluid, it got me (along with stubby wobble extension) out of bind many, many times. I need to try their impact ones next

[@chriscas-ToolAficionado]

@@FierceFurious yeah, totally! Their universal has been my most prized tool for sure. Very compact dimensionally, and works in a fluid motion...compared to standard universals.

[@chriscas-ToolAficionado]

@@FierceFurious I envisioned the impact double-swivel might come in handy so I got the 1/2 a few years ago. It's seen very little use. I don't think I ever used it this year.

[@workingmanpatriot8760]

I'll subscribe when you have a vid of "useing" these tools!

[@chriscas-ToolAficionado]

😆 ok!

[@martinblouin3639]

What's the model of your Nepros? It's quite long :o

[@chriscas-ToolAficionado]

It's a NBR390L model.

[@martinblouin3639]

@@chriscas-ToolAficionado merci!

[@dougtilaran3496]

I wish I could order it with the 24 ;-)

[@martinblouin3639]

Whats the site again where you bought theses?

[@chriscas-ToolAficionado]

From a online retailer in Japan. With the exception of the hammer, you can source the Ko-ken items through Ko-ken USA...assuming you're from the USA.

[@martinblouin3639]

@@chriscas-ToolAficionado no I'm in Canada, so far I bought from Amazon but I never get the goodies like stickers, I want my stickers!! Lol

[@chriscas-ToolAficionado]

@@martinblouin3639 😆 shoot me an email with your address. I got extras and can send you some.

[@astrazenica7783]

Much as I love all things Japanese, their tools are kinda steep once exported. Rarely best bang for buck imho. Not here in Europe anyways

[@chriscas-ToolAficionado]

Shipping and import taxes/fees does affect that bang for buck ratio. Not to mention, the currency exchange rate.