Vintagefan: Don't think for a minute she tried dodging this question and just telling "not in stock." I think after 10 sentences she realized I wasn't going to quit without a solid answer. While I was entirely polite with the agent, I did have a tone of "don't try to dodge the question because I am not leaving without an answer.
T1: I know of Felo and I know Bondhus bought that company some time ago. It's not as if they don't produce great products, but with insulation, I have to be picky. Reason being is the voltages I sometimes deal with are anywhere from 200 volts up.
That is why I am glad both Wiha and Wera test all their insulated products with Association of German Electro Technicians (VDE) and International Electro Technical Commission (IEC) as Only VDE & EN/IEC actually require individual Tool testing and provide certificates of compliance for testing procedures, equipment
and production unit compliance for insulation integrity.
American Society for Testing & Materials (ASTM), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) International Organization for Standard (ISO) Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Canadian Standards Association (CSA) are great safety ratings no doubt.
However ASTM, ISO, NFPA, CSA, OSHA Do not test tools for compliance they set guidelines for insulation performance standards & specifications. In addition, Claiming To meet insulation test standards is not the same as actually being tested and approved though.
That is just incorrect and with electricity you can't take risks. Take from a guy whose been shocked before, it's not fun at all.
Between Wera and Wiha, I like them both. They both have their niches and both have their positives and negatives.
With Wiha, (this is just my personal opinion here) I like them best for their dead blow line, precision line (not pro turn though), some of their specialty products (notched mini pry bar being one of them) insulated needle nose pliers (again not the pro turn line though) and their ESD safe torx plus line.
I love my Wiha dead blow, I've used other brands (Craftsman, Vaughn, etc) but none of them really were that great. I'll will add that Armstrong dead blow though would be a top contender though, as now that can actually handle real world work and a tremendous amount of force as well.
I also like my Wiha Phillips #000 screwdriver, only 40 mm, has a satin nickel finish, made 100% in Germany and the rotating cap is much more silent and easier than other brands as well.
However, my problem with Wiha though is that not all their products are made in Germany and their Pro-turn line is for the most part worth avoiding all together. As one can guess where said products are made.
Another issue I've had in the past with Wiha is that, while their insulation is top notch and really is remarkably better than most insulation most insulated tools, I sometimes find the insulation too stiff. This is only an issue because there is always that one time I drop the insulated tool or if the tool rolls off a table or surface (this is bound to happen once in the tool's life time, has with me) if the insulation (for what ever reason) is damaged, then I either have to hope that Wiha will provide me a brand new tool or am forced to buy a brand new Wiha insulated tool.
As Wiha (and Wera for that matter) have both told me via phone calls and writing on their websites that one should discard tools if the insulated coating appears to have been penetrated or does not appear to be fully adhering to the surface of the tool.
I know this may not sound as if this is a big deal and I bet there are people don't adhere to those rules, but they are taking a life or death gamble. I spoke to a electrician at work once who told me a story about a licensed, bonded and even insured electrician whom, despite doing this work for nearly 35 years, he himself was electrocuted and rushed to the ER, merely due to the fact the insulated tool he had had it's coating someone peeled off and wasn't really adhering anymore.
This guy also told me, if it weren't for someone else who was beside him, the guy who had been electrocuted could have easily died right then and there if no one was there to help him get to the ER.
So that is why I am completely serious when I choose insulated tools myself.
Now I like Wera because, again in my personal opinion, they create the best type of insulation in the industry of CAT IV rated insulation, but I also like the fact every[/i] product they produce is made in Czech Republic and no where else. In addition, I've personally found their tools to be a bit less expensive, but still keep top quality (in some cases even exceptional quality) and the products typically include benefits other companies skip.
Such as air tight caps for their insulated Slotted line. That to me is a giant plus and really a nice touch as well when your buying a product. Now I am not sure if that is the case with all their insulated tools, but sure was the case with this one.
I also like that most of their insulated tools have a no roll guard built into the handles and for once the tool actually won't roll or become unbalanced. Now I am not sure if this is true or not, but I heard online that Wera has a hot line specially set up should the tool ever roll and or cause any other issues.
Do I like Wera better than Wiha? With their insulated products, yes. But do I like Wiha's precision line better than Wera's? Yes I do. Both have their strengths and both have products I like more than the other companies.
