New counterfeit branded tools undermines integrity & credibility of all modern tools and the qualities they possess. Can modern tools actually be trusted to be what they claim to be?
As part of my job I have to keep an eye out for many forms of tools but was shocked to see modern Stanley tools being sold for a fraction of the price usually associated with their tool prices on a well known auction website. How can something usually priced at £50-60 suddenly be offered for £34.00 including the postage? We all know Intellectual property (IP) rights and patents mean little to some Chinese manufacturers who we all know have targeted many other types of products.
Years ago I once owned a Stanley tape measure that was missing the first 20 mm but put it down to Stanley being a bit lapse with their quality control at the time, but many people believe manufacturers don’t make tools of the same quality they once produced especially the steel, however i’m starting to wonder whether that ‘special offer’ I once bought was in-fact Stanley at all. This was bought from a household name retailer most tradesmen use, could it be that they were also duped?
The product I referred to for the price £34.00 was a Modern Stanley No: 4 smoothing plane.
It’s clear something is going on in the new tool market, however it makes me wonder how long before the Chinese start reproducing higher priced brands like they do with BMW cars (apparently only available in China).
In years to come these expensive higher quality new tools might eventually become collectable themselves but they could be difficult to assess as genuine, although many have yet to stand the test of time.
Apparently tool manufacturers are fighting to stem the tide of counterfeits entering the U.S. & UK market from China. I’d recommend manufacturers raise their standards and prices to where they originally gained their reputations to make it more difficult.
This is a problem for tool buyers around the world and in March of this year a law enforcement raid in the United Arab Emirates uncovered 150,000 fake Stanley, DeWalt, and Black & Decker tools. The haul included hand tools and 1,000 drills.
Buyers need to be aware that when something seems too cheap then there is usually a very good reason for this and sometimes it really does pay for buy vintage refurbished items in general where possible.