DRPD Tool Haul #8: Ko-ken's New 72 Tooth 1/4" Drive Z-Series Ratchets
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- čas přidán 30. 07. 2024
- #DRPD #Koken #Zeal #ToolsFromJapan #JapaneseTools
In this video we take a look at Koken's brand new and long awaited 1/4" Drive 72 Tooth Zeal Ratchets.
Time Stamps and Links
@0:00 Intro
@0:57 MTS 1/4" Drive Friction Peg Socket Holder
@2:12 Koken 2726Z Z-Series 72 Tooth 1/4" Drive Flex Ratchet, $101.75
drpd.cc/ratchets-sockets/1-4-...
@2:31 2726ZB-160 Z-Series 72 Tooth 1/4" Drive Long Quick Release Flex Ratchet, $123.20
drpd.cc/ratchets-sockets/1-4-...
@3:10 Higher Prices
-My first Koken purchase on up thru this one, I have always felt like we were getting absolute steals in terms of quality vs price. With this one, I feel like they are pushing up the price ladder. The quality is still there, but the value equation has certainly moved up the scale. Case in point, we are not far off from being able to buy equivalent Snap-On ratchets at these price points.
@6:30 1/4" Drive = 3rd Fiddle
-For me personally, 3/8" is the bread and butter of what I do and 1/2" is next. At work, it is really 1/2" and then 3/8" drive stuff. 1/4" is always my least used...Mileage may vary for you. With the other drive sizes I've always felt like I was getting a GREAT deal.
@7:45 1/2" Flex?
-Supposedly in the works!
@8:10 Buyer's Remorse
-I almost regret buying the standard length flex head
@8:50 2726Z Unboxed
-It is TINY.
--Yes, this can be a plus, but for me, it is almost too small to use outside of situations explicitly requiring something that compact.
---I do think it COULD be useful, albeit in very rare situations. But, I went ahead and pulled the trigger. Why? I've had such good luck with my 3/8" Drive Koken Zeal ratchets. They are just that good.
@12:10 Critical PN
-If you buy from generic sites, make sure you are getting a PN that includes the 72T. As mentioned earlier, there are earlier models with 36 teeth...great ratchets, just now the new 72T.
@12:58 Special Application Only
@13:16 2726ZB-160 Specs
-What is "B" and 160? B is for the Quick Release and 160 denotes the length.
@13:58 2726ZB-160 Unboxed
-First Koken ratchet with a quick release!
@14:28 Non-Flex Still Reasonable
@15:30 Handle Size
-Really wish the 160 had a longer pad
@17:20 Push Button Height
-Not flush, but not likely to be a detriment
@17:53 Deep 10mm Test Fit
@18:55 Quick Release Test Fit and Function
@19:52 10mm vs Handle Pad
@20:25 DRPD Restock
@20:55 Price Not Terrible
-But it is higher than I expected
@21:33 Waiting on 1/2" Flex
-I'm pretty content with my fixed 1/2" Drive ratchets, but definitely want to add a Koken Flex
--We might get a fixed iteration too
@22:25 The Competition
@22:35 Tekton 1/4" Drive Roto
@23:20 Craftsman USA 1/4" Drive
@24:04 Stahlwille 1/4" Drive
@24:31 Hazet HP 1/4" Drive
@25:11 SK 1/4" Drive Flex
@25:36 Heyco 1/4" Drive
@26:20 Koken 3/8" Drive Flex
@26:47 Koken 1/4" Drive Long vs 3/8" Drive Standard
@28:10 Your Thoughts
-1/4" Drive Price Points?
@30:00 Still Worth It
-Just moving up the price ladder
@31:32 Price Recap
@31:55 Do You Have the New Ratchets?
-How do you like them? How long have you had them?
@35:00 Comfort vs Utility
@36:20 In Car Terms
4 Cylinder vs 6 Cylinder vs 8 Cylinder vs Forced Induction V8
@38:00 Sales
-If you can get the little one on a good deal, I would pull the trigger
@38:27 1/4" Drive Preference
-Quick Release, or Fixed?
@39:00 Wrap Up
@41:03 Conclusion
*Alpha Gloves*
Get my gloves! Use Discount Code "LoneStar" for your own pair of Alpha Gloves:
alphagloves.us/
**Links**
Forum: www.lonestarmopars.com/forum
Facebook: / lonestarmopars
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Music:
"Gearhead" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
creativecommons.org/licenses/... - Auta a dopravní prostředky
They are worth the price. love the Ko-ken
😽👌
Agreed, across the board they are basically top tier tools for mid-tier prices. The 1/4" stuff is the first time I've seen them approach tool truck prices. Jump to 3/8" or 1/2" and they are still fractions of the tool trucks. Their sockets are almost unbeatable. I'd 100% say these ratchets are worth what I paid, but the MSRP is right there with the most expensive offerings.
Koken is worth the money. I wish I would've known of this brand much earlier. My tool box would look very different
Can't argue that. There is a reason I basically populated the roll cart with Koken...across the board. The quality to price scale with Koken is a rare outlier. You basically get what I would consider top tier tools for mid-tier prices. If you are patient and score sales, it is very tough to beat. The sockets are especially tough to beat.
if you need it, you can't go wrong with Koken.
Agreed!
I was always a Snap-on type but once I got to the koken ratchet s, I didn't go back to Snap-on. I didn't even get excited when Snap-on advertised the 100 tooth version. Now I only get happy when a new koken show s up. This is all thanks to Mr. SUBARU who got me to Koken 2 years ago.
Koken is cool. I have the 3/8 in 1/4 flex head. They are awesome mechanically but the handle takes up like half my hand. Snap on makes the best ratchet handles. Just don’t let a customer’s dog take off with and chew on the handle of your main one you use every day and like me lol
I have 3 Koken ratchets. And now I’ll be ordering another! Excited about the quick release.
I have a Koken 3/8 and 1/4 fixed and even have 1/4 fixed with the quick release, which I love. I agree that the flexies are a bit too spendy for what you get (I have a Snap On and GW 1/4 flex as well).
Also, not sure if you tried them, but I have a set of their low pro Zeal sockets and a set of their deep well surface drives, which are pretty cool.
Keep up the good work!
Very nice collection of 1/4 ratchets but why the Wera 8000 A Zyklop is not included? My favorite ratchet thanks to its swivel locking head, 72 fine-pitched teeth, fat handle, and rotating speed collar for in-line work.
Just a heads up.. When you have a red border around the thumbnail it mimics the red progress bar at the bottom of the thumbnail so it looks like it's already been watched. I almost skipped the video until I saw the date.
I've actually thought about that and wondered if anyone would skip it. I typically do other colors, but also try to vary the borders to divide the videos. Glad you caught the video and thanks for the feedback.
Seems like it would be about the same amount of money to cast, machine, chrome and finish a ratchet whether it's 1/4", 3/8", or 1/2" -- the raw materials that go into them(and the physical size difference) are probably the cheapest part of the tool.
I could see it going either way. Sales volumes dictating quantity could also play a role...sort of hard to know what Koken's set up is. It would be really interesting to have insights from the manufacturers on what direction they go and why. Not sure it would be the most thrilling content for everyone, but a niche audience would definitely be into it.
Supply and demand dictates price.. if their harder to sell, they cost more... small batch high price to offset cost..
@@boosted2.4_sky
Very true.
Just got my hands on the stubby, 1/4" drive, flexhead Ko-Ken off of eBay for less than 90 bucks - it's really nice, but not the 72-tooth model - stuck a magnetic, 10mm socket on it, wrapped some hi-viz tape around the middle of the handle, and threw it in my little EDC bag.
I want to see how well it does with blower motor belly bands with the short handle.
Nice! Yeah, the crazy thing is their coarser tooth models are insanely good too. My ultra stubby 3/8" is 36T iirc and you would never know. Hope it serves you well!
Excellent video! And I totally agree with your perspectives. That handle length, (or lack there of) is the weakest link in such an excellent ratchet. It almost seems like a mistake lol. As for price point, these are still high quality precision tools, so I don't think it's too out of line. I agree that it could potentially hurt them, now by being closely priced with the truck brands, but they are tool truck quality, Imo.
Thanks. Oh yeah, I will definitely put these against anyone's favorite ratchet. I think it would be ideal if they released a long and extra long option. I know it goes against the Zeal form factor, but I would love another handle option. The 3/8" and 1/2" just keep a higher bang for the buck than the 1/4" Drive. The DRPD price helps a lot, but for someone buying direct from Koken you are right there (or higher) than your choice of top tier ratchets from pretty much any other manufacturer. Is it still worth it? Definitely, Is it still the same value as before, not quite. That said, I meant to update this with a pinned comment, but I have forced myself to use these for a few months since recording and love the ratchet action...just still can't escape the "dainty" mindset with these, lol.
I bought a Stahlwille 415QR N QuickRelease Ratchet, Fine Tooth, 1/4". When it arrived I was so disappointed because it is very short. I really should have ordered the longer 415QRL N. Every time I try to use it, I end up reaching for a longer ratchet to get more leverage or to get my knuckles out of the way. Those Koken's do look nice though.
I'm hoping you saw the 415QRL N on Tool of the Day...I think it was 2-3 days ago. I nearly pulled the trigger, but it isn't a ton longer than standard. The Stahlwille you've got is really nice...I have the bare handle and then the padded handle via a small socket set.
@@lonestarmopars I actually did see that Tool of the day... I was reaching for the add to cart button and I remembered the mechanism of my short one was locked up. It had been living in the back of a toolbox ever since. I retrieved it and was messing with it to try to get it unstuck. After much frustration, I gave it a good whack on a piece of wood. To my surprise, something clicked into place and it started working again. I'm scared to use it now. If I ever grab it, I'll also grab my trusty $10 ratchet to make sure I can finish the job. I think Stahlwille is dead to me now.
Kokens price is climbing day by day it seems a year ago you could get eith of these for around 60-70$ are they good yes but if thet go above $120 im out..i want to see a 1/4 drive with a 10" handle
You're correct about Koken staying in the sub tool truck range..if they move into truck pricing people are going to buy the names everyone wants and knows..people are more brand snobbery than they want to admit...
My Facom 1/4" is 4.5 inches long...but it was $~50.. the small ratchets have their place..👍you watch, that thing will come in clutch...
Haha, yep...I know the tiny size will definitely come in handy. I'm actually going to run the smallest one to work with me...need a 3mm hex bit for a set screw on a hydraulic cylinder and it is TIGHT. The good news is outside of the 1/4" ratchet and especially with sockets, Koken is still well below market. The quality to price ratio is insane...I feel like this is the first thing I've brought in that was really pushing up towards NOT being in that segment. The DRPD price and any sale helps, but the MSRP direct from Koken puts it square in that tool truck market.
Oh i will definetly get a 1/4 160mm flex head. Only problem is that i cant find one ^^.
love Koken but I find their backlash to be more than other brands due to the slip pall design, however their backdrag is so sweet, though my Gedore u10 ratchet is lighter
Yeah, it is pretty much unmatched...just insanely good.
Koken is much cheaper in Japan/Amazon.
The handle is too small. It feels like a toy tool in the way it was designed. That being said the ratcheting mechanism is truely amazing.
those ratchets are not worth those prices, DRPD is just fleecing their customers. btw that longer ratchet was recalled
Is that why the quick release 1/4 drive ratchets are not listed on any website?
@@billyboyd418 yes. 3/8 in 1/4 body are available but 1//4 are not.
When you figure in the cost of selling off of a tool truck Koken is more expensive.
Being on a truck seems to add 50% to the cost when direct selling instead of on-line.
Judging by other brands of tools sold off of tool trucks.
Now Mac, SnapOn etc won’t undercut their dealers. But anything else they carry seems to go up about 50%.