China, just who do they really think they are?

Amen brothers! Amen.

Chinese people are so proud of Chinese manufacturing. I hear almost on a daily basis about how superior their products are, even in one case hearing, and I quote: “The quality of shoes coming out of China today is much better than Italy” So, what you’re telling me is that the $4.10 pair of shoes from Temu are of a far higher quality and fit as my Ferragamo’s? Are these people really that blind? Are they just responding to things heard from that propaganda juggernaut that their government generates? Or are they worried about getting imprisoned or executed? Probably all of the above, but all human rights violations aside, and the fact that there are a ton of other things that they manufacture poorly, for the sake of time we’re going to limit this to just tools. And to be more precise, tools that you might actually want to use more than once.

Understand that this discussion is mostly for the late Gen-xer’s on forward. Listen to me and listen to me well. China does absolutely suck when it comes to tools. And I would like to quickly defend the image at the top of this page when I say that this sign isn’t some right-wing proud to be an American thing. And it’s also not intended to be mean or condescending, it’s the god spoken truth.

But before I even begin, if you’re a newly graduated business major who has been brain-washed by your professors into thinking that their country could be a viable partner with us in business, particularly in manufacturing anything outside of a computer chip, go to Harbor Freight right now and buy a hand tool and we’ll walk you through this. Go ahead, I’ll wait.

Now that you’re back, take a look at the craftsmanship of the piece. Does it bend? Are connected pieces held on firmly or is there some wiggle going on? Chances are you answered yes to both. But that still doesn’t convince you, does it? How about a pair of handheld metal shears? or Tin Snips like we’ve always called them. How many pieces of 22 gauge steel can you cut before the tool either separates into two pieces, or their cutting edge gives up the ghost? I’ve had sockets that split in half, chisels and gasket scrapers that were so soft their surfaces would nick at even the most mundane of tasks, and a multitude of other hand and power tools with good old MADE IN CHINA on them that have left me stranded. And I know what you’re thinking, there’s plenty of American companies who have turned to China to manufacture their own goods and for one time and one time only during this discussion you are absolutely right. And that’s why with a bit of vigilance and determination you too can find these companies and not buy tools from them.

In my personal opinion, when it comes to hand tools, the Germans are about the only ones who really have it right, and who are deserving of just about every dollar they demand. Superior craftsmanship, outstanding reliability and durability make them the go-to for tools. Hazet and Gedore are fabulous choices. Right up there with Beta from Italy. I’ve used them all. And I would assume that if you brought a design or a plan to build something to either of these companies, they won’t copy it and in under a day, have it on their own website selling it for a fraction of the price that you can.

There is a commonly used phrase in China which is Zugou hao. Or “good enough”. Don’t ask me how to pronounce it as I was always told it sounded like Chahhh-boo-dow but when I just looked it up now, it sounds nothing like that. I was taught this phrase by a past coworker of mine when summing up why China’s products are such garbage. Custom items where their colors were clearly off from their intended Pantone Matching System code. Zugou hao. Zippers on the wrong side of garments. Zugou hao. Fasteners pulling out of an item with minimal pressure. Zugou hao. Unlike real craftsmen in this world where nothing is good enough until it's perfect, a large portion of their economy lives by this ignorant frame of mind. And if it was a structural problem like the last example given, nine times out of ten the factory would NEVER admit fault. It was always the end user using the product improperly.

Manufacturing as a whole in China is clearly based on quantity and not quality. And don’t let anyone even attempt to convince you otherwise. The only way someone stands a chance of turning to them to successfully produce a product of decent quality is if you find just the right shop, the right translator, and an all around on-site project manager to get the job done for you while you’re 6500 miles away on the other side of the globe. Helpless. Hoping. And if any component of that recipe is missing, good old Zugou hao rears it’s ugly head and you’ll be hearing“I told you so” from everyone and their mother. Myself included.

So do yourself a favor and avoid their tools like the plague. Unless of course you need something just such and such a size to get that one thingy out of that watchamacallit. Something that with one generous blow might cure your situation but be advised that if it doesn’t, you may not get a second try.