Channellock will soon be coming out with a new line of USA-made screwdrivers! Their Code Blue screwdrivers came out nearly five years ago, and while these drivers are quite decent, the are made outside the country.
First they find a domestic partner to make the cushion grip handles for their pliers, and now new USA-made screwdrivers? No doubt a lot of professionals and DIYers will be happy to see this news.
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The new screwdrivers will feature four-sided acetate hard-plastic handles that are durable, impact-resistant, and solvent-resistant.
The screwdriver shafts are hardened for strength and durability, and chrome plated for corrosion resistance, while the tips are precision machined for better fastener engagement. Screwdrivers meant for electronic applications are bead blasted, presumably for greater grip.
These new drivers will be available in several different sets, with the initial launch including Phillips, slotted, and Torx screwdrivers, nut drivers, and a multi-bit screwdriver.
ETA: Fall 2014
Pricing will likely be appropriate for what you would expect from professional-grade USA-made screwdrivers.
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Update: The 10-piece set will retail for $69-74.
First Thoughts
Thumbs up to Channellock for yet another reshoring effort! That these drivers are made in the USA isn’t a guarantee that they’re any good, but it’s a pretty safe bet given the brand’s product lineup and reputation.
We checked with Channellock, and they are not manufacturing the new screwdrivers in-house. They have partnered with an American manufacturer and have assured us that, while the screwdrivers are not being made at Channellock’s Meadville PA headquarters, they will still reflect the quality you can expect from Channellock tools.
Allen
I am very pleased and look forward to seeing them.
Just this morning I was working on a cattle tank with an old pair of Channel-locks and you can call me a bleeding heart sentimentalist, but the job was a little more enjoyable thinking my grandfather most likely did the same task with those same pliers.
I am glad this old line company continues to do what it is able to keep our country working.
Stan
Pardon my excitement Stuart, but this is GREAT and I mean GREAT news. For the longest time these screwdrivers were made in China and Channellock hasn’t had American made screwdrivers in a VERY long time.
Sincerely Stuart, I realize some of my posts may not be of the popular opinion at times, but I mean this when I write this, your blog has helped me out countless times over the years.
This news will make several of my friends happy and obviously I am happy as well. I never thought I’d ever see the day in my lifetime that Channellock would produce American made screwdrivers again.
If any Channellock representative is reading this post or this blog, please I can’t stress this enough that made in the United States of America products are extremely important. Maybe not to the average consumer these days, but those who are looking at the bigger picture, made in USA is vastly important to me.
Thank you very much for posting this Stuart!
mike
This is good news,great post as usual Stu.
Joshua Latham
Awesome news. I have always loved the Channellock blue. I will pick some of these up once they are available.
LG
Good news indeed! Hats off to Channellock!
Stan
I was online trying to figure more detailed information, but I thought the Popular Mechanics article would have more information but this did.
Yet I found a thread on a tool forum that mentions these so maybe future posts in this thread might yield some results.
Here is the link.
http://www.thegaragegazette.com/index.php?topic=21545.msg279726#msg279726
Jerry
Great news. I always liked Channellock, their USA made tools always seemed to me, to be of decent quality, without breaking the bank. Hopefully these will be the asme way.
Kevin
awesome news, these look solid, I will be grabbing a set come fall
matt
Western Forge product I wonder?
Seth
Quite likely – WF needs more partnerships to keep busy.
harry
The tapered nut driver handles scream Pratt Reed to me.
If you want some professional grade screwdrivers, pick up Proto’s new Duratec line. Made in South Carolina and pretty tough.
Stan
You mean Duratek am I correct? As stipulated on Proto’s website that is the only line of products that resembles that name. However, these are in fact made in the United States of America, so that is in fact a reason to consider these.
These is a very eloquent and in my opinion overall just a brilliant gentleman “named” Conductor562 and if there ever was a person that understood that brand, that would be him. He also contributes to Tools In Action as well.
My opinion is that Ideal Industries is likely involved with this product one way or another. Ideal owns Western Forge, so only time will tell who the original equipment manufacturer is.
JohnnyFbomb
I’m in for a set or 2.
skfarmer
i like the fact of being us made but other than the multi bit i am unimpressed.
Stan
I’ll admit, these might not be the most exciting screwdrivers I’ve seen, however considering I don’t remember the last time Channellock offered USA made screwdrivers, this is interesting.
I am with you there with the six in one screwdriver though. Definitely going to buy one once this out and available.
walt
I would put my money on these being pratt read
fred
The handle design certainly looks like the Pratt-Read (now an Ideal Industries subsidiary) made screwdrivers that Sears marketed for many years. Whoever the OEM is – good to see that there is another outlet for a USA – made product
Stan
Ideal likely has a role as the original equipment manufacturer, as Ideal also owns Western Forge as well.
However, the most important aspect is the fact these products are made in the United States of America. Very too often I see companies outsource their products, seemingly mostly to China as well these days.
In my opinion, country of origin is the most important factor and I’d think this matter to more people. For whatever though, seems that most people don’t seem to care about country of origin let alone buying American though. I’ll never understand that, but oh well.
Anyway this is great news and shows that Channellock does have a commitment to keeping some manufacturing in the United States.
Noah
Totally Pratt-Read/Western Forge designs. I’m down for a set for sure.
David
Thank you, Channellock! I am a big fan of their USA made pliers line, and it’s great to see them bringing back domestic production of their screwdrivers and nut drivers. Until now, I’ve had to prowl ebay for vintage USA made Channellock screwdrivers, nut drivers and torx drivers. (Channellock used to even have a tin snips line made here.) I look forward to getting a set of these new screwdrivers. My respect for this company just increased a great deal! Hopefully their wrenches and sockets will be next.
Bikerdad
I realize this is going to sound “out there”, but here’s hoping they will make a true JIS pattern cross-head screwdriver IN addition to Phillips pattern.
Dennis
I just might have to ebay off my craftsman. Those are real sweet.
Bob
I just saw they seem to be available on, on Ebay
Hang Fire
Interesting marketing strategy, to roll out “Professional” tools only to eBay.
What went horribly wrong here?
Stuart
The ebay listings were news to Channellock. I asked their PR rep about it, and it seems everyone was in the dark.
Hang Fire
So when you spoke to the PR Rep, they knew nothing about eBay, but did they have any explanation as to why the screwdrivers not available at any major retailer?
Stuart
At the time the ebay listings started appearing, I asked and was told that the screwdrivers were in the final stages of packaging and would be rolling out to distributors in coming weeks.
It’s still a mystery.
Related, a sample pack arrived this week, and I plan to start testing out some of the new screwdrivers soon.
DreamcatcherDB
Is there some sort of rule that says tools produced in the USA must be basic and look super boring? Seriously, compare the look and features of the USA made offerings of any company to the import offerings. Case in point, compare USA made Channellock tools to their foreign made “Code Blue” lineup with multicolored rubberized grips and steel striking caps on the ends.
Now, those Proto Durateks look pretty cool but the price is not so cool…. about $17 per screwdriver!?!?! Comparatively these boring old school design Channellocks are what, $7 per driver? As screwdriver sets are sort of a Christmas present staple, I am not sure that Channellock is going to fare well amongst the general population with this no flash, high price offering. Thanks for trying though.
Stuart
As you mentioned, Channellock already has a complete line of Code Blue comfort-grip screwdrivers.
This line allows them to offer users a different handle style, and satisfies users’ requests for USA-made drivers.
Maybe they designed a line of comfort grip drivers but found through research and focus groups that they couldn’t price them low enough for end users to want to buy.
Rick
Any reviews by users of these yet?
Tom Jones
As an ex-industrial designer I don’t mind the retro/sober/simple approach of these new drivers. Don’t get bamboozled by the fashion flash nonsense that’s everywhere now. Many screwdrivers today look like they were inspired more by jogging shoes than practical issues. Handles that look like apple cores? I admit I really like the Snap-On Instinct, but that’s far enough for me. They are highly sculpted, but they sit flat and don’t roll. They may be beautiful but they are totally practical and feel great. Now I need a full set that’s affordable but has high quality tips. A pro no-nonsense look is a plus to me. It’s down to these or the Proto Duratek. The new diamond tips interest me but I can’t find a handle I like. Hats off to Channellock on this offering.
DD
These screwdrivers are made in Sycamore IL. at IDEAL Industries in the Pratt Read screwdriver cell. High quality steel and acetate handles made at AL Handles Pottstown PA also owned by IDEAL.