Boker Knives Wiha Toolkit Torx Bit Driver

N

NWPM2

Joined
Jan 30, 2019
Messages
380
Has anyone ordered one of these lately? It's the kit that holds the bits in the handle.

I ordered it off Blade HQ. The item description said "Made in Germany," but it came in a bag that said "Made in China."

If someone out there has one, how did it come packaged? Mine was in just a simple clear plastic bag with a SKU number. Did it say "Made in Germany" anywhere on the tool or packaging?

I looked online and the pictures show the word "Manufaktur" under Boker. Mine says "Solingen."

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First of all, I would not take images and descriptions in catalogs and webpages as the only truth, quite often they are not exact and contain mistakes.

Maybe it’s a fake Wiha tool, as their tools also get faked, but not necessarily.

Potentially you are seeing here the effect of globalization. Wiha tools are originally from Germany, but are produced today also worldwide. As of my knowledge they don’t produce tools in China, but in Vietnam, but have at least a sales office in China. Wiha tools normally come with the Wiha print On them if they are sold directly. In this case you have the Boker print on the tool. Maybe Boker purchased the tool from Wiha without the brand print, then applied their brand print on the tool, maybe in China. Considering that everybody wants to earn money with a product I can barely imagine that this tool was produced in Germany or the U.S. with the Boker print, considering the cost to do so in these both countries.

Last but not least I would not worry a lot at all. This is a tool for just over 20 bucks and any expectation regarding it will last that much longer because it’s supposed from Wiha, compared to cheaper versions, is just an illusion. You can destroy any small torx insert very quickly if you don’t take care, no matter from which manufacturer.

Herbert
 
Thank you, Herbert. I have read that Wiha is starting or may have already sent some production to Vietnam. Like you, I hadn't heard anything about China.

The cost of the tool is relatively low. I'm more worried about stripping out screws on knives. I do think that the reputation of quality that things made in Germany is for a reason and the listing did specifically mention "Made in Germany" in the description.
 
With a smile in my face... as an old style German mechanic the phrase “Made in Germany” has for me still quite a special meaning. But I am also realistic enough to put that phrase into a perspective considering all aspects of these “modern” times. Let’s phrase it this way: “Made in Germany” today does not mean anymore the same than it did 30 years ago.

By the way, stripping out screws is not only related to the tool but also to the screws (cheap mass products), the application (e.g. usage of glue) and especially the technique used. You may believe me or not, but as a former airplane mechanic on the F4-F Phantom II I have most likely handled more screws than people can imagine.

Again, I wouldn’t bother. Wiha tools are in general fine tools, I also still like to use them. But having some spare screws and spare inserts is never a bad idea also!

Herbert
 
I heard back from Blade HQ and the representative was very gracious. They said it seems Boker switched things up on them. The bits and the bit holder do seem to be very good quality. The bits look just as good as the other Wiha bits I have. I do know screws are different quality levels, too. I'll just be careful to get a good feel for these bits.

I do have several older things "Made in Germany" so that phrase has always held a special allure to me even though it doesn't mean the same anymore.

Thanks for your feedback, Herbert. It is much appreciated.
 
Wiha has recently partnered with chinese mobile (and consumer durable) brand Xiaomi (or one of its subsidieries) and they are producing bits there out of S2 steel. Xiaomi is offering bit kit with wiha bits. That may explain the bits being made in China.
 
The biggest question for me is, how do the bits fit the fasteners?

My Wiha and Wera bits have EXTREMELY snug fits in the fasteners. So much so that bits are frequently pulled out of non-locking bit drivers and stay 'stuck' in the fastener. They are easy to remove with your fingers. They are just impressively snug in their mating of bit to fastener head.

If the China made Wiha bits are just as snug, that's a really good start. If not...

Brian.
 
Thanks for the replies and insights!

I had heard about Wiha partnering with Xiaomi. The bit set they put out actually looked nice, but I was a little worried about the quality of the bits so I'd been searching for something else as an alternative.

That's a good point you make, Brian, about how the bits fit. I just tested them and they are very snug. I didn't remove any screws with them, but the bits look and feel like they fit very well. The driver seems to be really nice, too.

All in all, it strikes me as a good quality set. I was avoiding using them in case I wanted to return them, but I'll use them and see how they work. They look like they'll be fine!
 
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