Blue Spruce Tool Works is purchased by Woodpeckers

[blaszcsj]

[member=57948]ChuckM[/member] You said this perfectly and much better than my attempt. I own several BCTW tools and now rethink how I value them and the new ones that are made in China. I think going forward I would rather have Blue spruce or wood peckers. One because they are excellent tools, and two, I just like supporting originators and Made in USA (or germany )

With regard to BCTW, there's no denying that people look at China-made BCTW products differently regardless of how John still remains associated with the line (as a designer, for example). Previously, people valued the boutique tools as high quality work MADE IN USA, and they now have lost appetite for the same quality stuff though it's offered even at a lower price, purely because of the change of origin of country.

Just imagine his customers' reactions if Chris Vesper outsourced his tool making to Asia, while staying as the Chief Designer.

It might not make much difference if you're talking about a jig to make chopsticks...but for heirloom woodworking tools, the feeling could be different.

I still remember years ago, a friend of mine told me how proud he was of his new Lexus RX because the shipment came from Tokyo, not from the Ontario plant.

 

[demographic]

Err, aren't Lie Nielsen planes mostly copies of Stanley planes anyway?  How is that a copyright issue?

 

[TSO_Products]

This is a note for Hans with TSO Products.  I am Canadian and own the GRS-16.  I really appreciate how great this tool is. 

I am looking forward to buying the full range of your tools in the future based on the positive experience with the GRS-16.

All the best

Brian

Brian, what a nice thing to post for all to see - thank you!

I will cut and paste it where folks on our production team get to see it. They are the silent heroes in our business.
Your post also raises expectations by everyone but that's OK. We need to continually improve in all respects.

We have quite a following in Nova Scotia as you're probably aware - beautiful country !

stay well!
Hans

 

[derekcohen]

For those interested, I posted a short review on WoodCentral of the BS chisels I have used for around 15 years ...
http://www.woodcentral.com/woodwork...short-review-of-blue-spruce-dovetail-chisels/

Regards from Perth

Derek

 

[WillAdams]

Apparently the "Ultimate Coping Saw" has been discontinued?

Also, no blackwood doesn't seem to be a handle option anymore.

 

[squall_line]

Apparently the "Ultimate Coping Saw" has been discontinued?

Also, no blackwood doesn't seem to be a handle option anymore.

They haven't had blackwood available for quite a while now.

I was surprised at your comment about the coping saw, so I looked back and found that they were selling them at 20% off back in December.  I wonder if they are either re-tooling for a new run in the future or moving them all to red anodized and putting them on the main Woodpecker's side of things like they did with the jigsaw handle.

[member=7266]jeffinsgf[/member] , any insight on the coping saw?

 

[Cheese]

I was surprised at your comment about the coping saw, so I looked back and found that they were selling them at 20% off back in December.  I wonder if they are either re-tooling for a new run in the future or moving them all to red anodized and putting them on the main Woodpecker's side of things like they did with the jigsaw handle.

[member=7266]jeffinsgf[/member] , any insight on the coping saw?

That's exactly what I assumed when I saw the red jigsaw blade handle recently. I purchased the Cocobolo handled version about a year ago and while I like it and use it often, it is kind of overkill for my needs...like trimming metal or enlarging/shortening wood items. When I first used it I was struck by the paradox of using such a highly crafted item to produce a relatively crude result.

 

[derekcohen]

Bangood seems to have a lot of quality WP-ish tools an they are not particularly inexpensive. This leads me to believe the paradigm was shifted.

Yeah, but do note that "WP-ish" really means "totally ripped of". The lack of concern for IP in China is disconcerting. Without investment in research and development and with government-supported marketing and distribution (cheap shipping, because China has third country status!), it is very easy to sell 'cheap' tools. The fact that lately the prices of these rip offs have risen is an indication that far too many consumers have fallen for them (you know: supply and demand).

I stay away from Bangood and Alibaba because every 'imitation' product you procure from them is a kick in the face for the people who originally invented it.

Bert, interesting that this thread has surfaced with your criticism of Banggood. Clearly you have a different position on this today. Any comments?

Regards from Perth

Derek

 

[grbmds]

It's not my intent to get in the middle of a discussion like this. My feeling is that, if I want a WP tool I will buy from Woodpeckers. If I want a Blue Spruce tool I'll buy that from Blue Spruce (now actually WP also). Their tools are always the highest quality and accuracy. That's the only reason I buy measuring tools, squares, router bits, and other miscellaneous tools from them. Of course, just using one gives me satisfaction.

If you don't want the WP guarantee and their historical reputation and don't need the most accurate measurements or squareness, then you should buy from whichever vendor you want. I haven't had great luck with others when it comes to accuracy and precision. I want a square, for example, that I am absolutely sure is really square when I use one.

I own an MFT Square from WP. It did cost a lot of money. However, when I use it to square up my MFT fence, it's square and I get the squarest crosscuts from my TS55/MFT that I've ever gotten in almost 50 years of woodworking. A few years ago I dropped the square on my concrete shop floor, sent it back to WP, and they repaired it by replacing a couple of parts. The wonderfull thing about it was there was no charge because it has a lifetime warranty. I would have paid to get its accuracy back for sure.

That's great service. The money I paid for the square was worth it . . . every time I use it and think about the fact that they stood behind their product even though my dropping it on the floor had nothing to do with their product; just my negligence.