I support innovation. I support the small guys making good tools. I have a few L-N, Veritas, Florip, Narlex, etc. I basically avoid import rip-offs. But there is a limit.
Several companies seem to think they are so special, they can charge insane prices. Not just high. Not just a little more craftsmanship. Not that real extra cost of hand fit and finish. It is not just cost of domestic manufacturing. For instance, there is a company making similar to "red" tools in "blue" for half. US made. Same quality. I am not talking about things like the counterfeit Mitutoyo calipers. " On sale for only $69". Just a fake $12 caliper where the real one is $200.
Well, Bridge City, a company I have bought from in the past, is one such gone over the top. They have a nifty multi-marking gauge for $150. But I just got a copy for $19. ( free delivery) Copy, not counterfeit. Too big a gap. Difference? The slide edge needs to be honed smooth, but otherwise excellent. They could have done that for only a couple more bucks. If the B-C was $40, or even 50, I would have gone there. Not $150. Not 8 times the price. Closer to 10 if you add shipping.
I do wish their try and miter squares were still the beautiful rosewood and brass how John started. They were expensive, but not insane and were lifetime tools. Now just cold aluminum and steel. No reason to buy them over plain old machinist squares. They lost that "grin when you pick it up" factor.
Some irony that B-C is owned by Harvey, a big Chinese OEM who makes slightly better for less money than the brand names they OEM to. A curious market.
Several companies seem to think they are so special, they can charge insane prices. Not just high. Not just a little more craftsmanship. Not that real extra cost of hand fit and finish. It is not just cost of domestic manufacturing. For instance, there is a company making similar to "red" tools in "blue" for half. US made. Same quality. I am not talking about things like the counterfeit Mitutoyo calipers. " On sale for only $69". Just a fake $12 caliper where the real one is $200.
Well, Bridge City, a company I have bought from in the past, is one such gone over the top. They have a nifty multi-marking gauge for $150. But I just got a copy for $19. ( free delivery) Copy, not counterfeit. Too big a gap. Difference? The slide edge needs to be honed smooth, but otherwise excellent. They could have done that for only a couple more bucks. If the B-C was $40, or even 50, I would have gone there. Not $150. Not 8 times the price. Closer to 10 if you add shipping.
I do wish their try and miter squares were still the beautiful rosewood and brass how John started. They were expensive, but not insane and were lifetime tools. Now just cold aluminum and steel. No reason to buy them over plain old machinist squares. They lost that "grin when you pick it up" factor.
Some irony that B-C is owned by Harvey, a big Chinese OEM who makes slightly better for less money than the brand names they OEM to. A curious market.