Recently I heard accounts that made-in-Taiwan Estwing tools have been hitting the shelves at Home Depot. Worried that this indicated a shift in Estwing’s core USA-manufacturing ideals, I contacted them about this. Their response was very relieving:
We have had a mid-range line of hammers and bars made in Taiwan for about 9 years. We also have a line of high end Japanese pattern bars which are made in Japan.
However, our core line of Estwing tools are made in the USA and that will not change. Over 95% of the tools we sell are made in the USA.
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Edit: During a brief trip to the local Home Depot, I spotted the typical steel handled blue grip Estwing hammers, several Vaughan hammers, quite a few Husky ones, a single made-in-Taiwan Estwing framing hammer, and several Japan-made Estwing Pro Claw pry bars.
Anthony
This is nice to hear…. these big box stores are trying to go as cheap as possible and im sure its making it hard for companies like estwing. let the noobs that need a hammer to hang a picture buy the cheaper crap, and leave the good stuff alone!!! i only buy estwing hammers and will continue to now that i know their not going “STANLEY” on me
fred
I think that what Anthony observes is true about the pressure that is exerted by the big retailers – and it has resulted in much production being moved to lower cost Asian factories. If the supplier can not meet the retailer’s price point – then it seems that they get dropped and the consumer loses out on the choice to buy American. When we all purchased from local tool suppliers – mostly family owned – we could ask for tools that we didn’t see at the supplier and more likely thumb through a catalog or two in the supplier’s office. Once found the tool would be put on order and we’d wait and pay the price. Relatively speaking – I think that prices were higher than thay are now and quality was still a mixed bag – but you could rely on some brands for consistently high quality. Now when if we shop our industrial suppliers (Grainger, MSC etc. ) or the Internet we have more access to different tools but sometimes its hard to tell about quality from just looking at the brand. Also -when we make a spot buy at HD or Lowes – we’re stuck with the brands that they carry – and suspect that what they carry is mostly based on profitablility.
Danny Boy
Estwing is getting all their bars and nail pullers made in Taiwan & Japan. For decades they made them in Rockford, IL.
Danny Boy
In the stores Estwing tools are sold for the same USA prices but they are imports. This is also true for the Stanley/Bostitch items that replaced the Dasco Pro items. Earlier in the year when Stanley/Bostitch imports replaced the USA Dasco Pro items Lowe’s prices stayed the same. I guess I would rather got o Home Depot where they still carry Dasco Pro USA items for the same price vs Lowe’s imports.
Kurt
In addition to some Dasco Pro items you can also get Baltimore and Mayhew brand chisels and such at the HD near me and they all appear to be made in the USA. While some of Bostich’s tools appear to be pretty attractive, there are equally priced USA alternatives with a level of quality that is at least as good if not better than the imported Bostich. Plus, amazon.com is a nice alternative for buying tools.
David
If you need a hammer, rock pick or a hatchet, just stick with an American made Vaughan and/or Estwing. I have numerous hammers from both companies and their quality is outstanding. Also, Hardcore framing hammers are made in the U.S., but are pricey. Screw Stanley, Plumb and the rest of the sellouts.
Mike Styles
That is exactly how I feel. You’re an American Co. Americans helped your company succeed by building and buying your products. Do you really think I’d hand down a made in japan or taiwan made tool to my sons? I only buy Made In The USA tools, or I don’t buy them at all. Those are your real investors! Now the time has come for American owned companies to stay loyal to your employees. Don’t send their jobs overseas. Levi Strauss was one of the first I remember to do this. As far as I’m concerned, it’s a form of treason. And I refuse to buy anything from companies that do this. Daisy BB GUNS?… now made in China!…..Disgusting!