Reply by crank49

I’ve seen the new ones, at least the block and the #4, at Lowes about a year ago.
Only observation I could make is the tote is black plastic now.
And, I’m pretty sure they are made in China. Stanley loves to make shit in China.
I guess they think their brand name will support and justify their price level, regardless of the quality of product. And, it seems the strategy is correct up to a point.

To me the new Stanley products are the Black and Decker of hand tools. Just functional; kinda.
Case in point, I wanted a new heavy duty framing hammer; something +20 oz. All the ones in the stores around here that I could find are all made in China or Mexico. Pick one up and look at the claw from the end. There is about a 1/16” to 1/8” difference in the thickness from one side to the other. The groove is rough and irregular. Looks like the crap you used to see in the Dollar bin at the variety store. Deffinately not professional grade, IMHO. Stanley used to make hammers right here in Pulaski. The crap they are selling now would never have made it past inspection in our plant.

I went and found me an Eastwing 24oz hammer, Made in USA and paid about 50% more for it, $30 instead of $20, but it made me feel better.

I wish there was a similar choice in hand planes, but there is not; at least, not to my knowledge. You can buy a crap quality Stanley/Bailey for about $40 to $60 made in China; or an even crappier Groz, Footprint, Anant made in India for about $30 to $50; or a decent Wood River made in China for about 3 times that price, $100 to $200, or good quality North American LN or Veritas for $200 to $500.

Of course there is the other option of going Vintage Stanley and doing some Refurb. The best value for sure.

-- Michael :-{| Diapers and politicians both need to be changed often; and for the same reason.