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Harry J Epstein Day 2026

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jsackin

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Joined
Nov 23, 2005
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Location
Kansas City Missouri
I think Wright would absolutely love a meetup / tour so let me know if that’s something that has some momentum and I’ll talk to the appropriate people.

In terms of us buying more imported stuff…. I made the decision to buy more from Japanese / German tool companies lately because there is just a ton of stuff that they’re doing where there isn’t a US made equivalent. I wish there was! I wish US companies were coming out with new products every couple months but thats just not how it’s been working.

That being said, I’m in contact with Wilde, Wright and Channellock and other US companies and they are all having excellent years. Business is way up so they are actually doing great.

I’d say about 80% of what we sell is US made and I try to highlight those companies for HJE Day. For instance this year I’ve talked to Channellock, Mayhew, Bondhus and Wright so far in terms of offering deals.

So that’s my two cents. I’ll be back with more details as we get closer.
 

Etchase

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Nov 10, 2017
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Location
Hawaii
I think Wright would absolutely love a meetup / tour so let me know if that’s something that has some momentum and I’ll talk to the appropriate people.

In terms of us buying more imported stuff…. I made the decision to buy more from Japanese / German tool companies lately because there is just a ton of stuff that they’re doing where there isn’t a US made equivalent. I wish there was! I wish US companies were coming out with new products every couple months but thats just not how it’s been working.

That being said, I’m in contact with Wilde, Wright and Channellock and other US companies and they are all having excellent years. Business is way up so they are actually doing great.

I’d say about 80% of what we sell is US made and I try to highlight those companies for HJE Day. For instance this year I’ve talked to Channellock, Mayhew, Bondhus and Wright so far in terms of offering deals.

So that’s my two cents. I’ll be back with more details as we get closer.



Thanks for the update. Some of your HJE day buyers might have filled up on your U.S.A. suppliers items over the last few years, and are pleased to have access to your Japan and German offerings. Thanks for supporting SK to the very end of their in-house USA manufacturing. You did everything you could to encourage them to restart, and they lied about their intentions to sell off inventory. Not my favorite business practice. You have many U.S.A. tool lines making rules, squares, knives, levels… all kinds of stuff. Your NOS inventory of U.S.A. tools and tank periscopes is unequalled. Happy to support a nostalgic old time hardware store, a modern industrial supply house, a modern retail tool source, and a purveyor of fine products of all kinds. Where else am I going to find 50 year old East German test tubes. Now if GJ could just put together enough orders to encourage you to retail Proto! Looking forward to another great Fourth of July!
 

Ohio Andy

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Columbus, Ohio
I think Wright would absolutely love a meetup / tour so let me know if that’s something that has some momentum and I’ll talk to the appropriate people.
Ignoring traffic that's roughly 2 hours would you get there for me... I absolutely would take time off work to do that.

Should I start a thread specifically on this?
 

LB-1911

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All the years I've been coming to this site and I don't know what this is.
Or I'm really getting old and just forgot.
2012 The beginning

Want to Support a Small USA Company With a Cool Product?

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum...small-usa-company-with-a-cool-product.177488/

Harry J. Epstein Day 2025

 
Last edited:

RTM

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May 13, 2019
Messages
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Location
SF Bay Area
All the years I've been coming to this site and I don't know what this is.
Or I'm really getting old and just forgot.
The good news is our site search tool doesn't show you posting anything with Epstein, or anything with Epstein in the title (fishy that this post doesn't show up), so possibly not forgetfulness.
 

mikeinri

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 29, 2019
Messages
8,137
Location
MA
All the years I've been coming to this site and I don't know what this is.
Or I'm really getting old and just forgot.

2012 The beginning

Want to Support a Small USA Company With a Cool Product?

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum...small-usa-company-with-a-cool-product.177488/

Harry J. Epstein Day 2025


Not the silliest question. Can the OP add a brief description of the event / rules to the first post of this thread? Might encourage more newbies to participate.

Obviously, if you're done this before, you've got a list and are chomping at the bit, but if you're new (or forgetful, etc.), nothing in the first couple of pages here clearly explains this, and jumping to another link doesn't quickly get to the point, either.

Thanks for considering this suggestion.

Mike
 
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Squankum

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Mar 28, 2011
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Southeast
And here I was, assuming it was too soon for the thread to be started. I've been building my list all year!

As for American made, I've bought plenty of pry bars, hammers, crescent wrenches and the like over the years from HJE. This year it will be some piddly old American made NOS punches and chisels, maybe. But one thing I love about HJE is how they find so many interesting things from everywhere, like the Japanese-made "melon machete" I got last summer!

1779219987201.png

Alas, that was a surplus score by HJE last year, no longer in stock. I've since learned the price was very nice.
 

Squankum

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Messages
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Since we last met, it appears HJE is carrying Council Tool again. I have never understood the modern fad of paying too much for odd Scandinavian axes and hatchets when high quality American-made axes are still here for less!

 

jsackin

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Joined
Nov 23, 2005
Messages
1,111
Location
Kansas City Missouri
Since we last met, it appears HJE is carrying Council Tool again. I have never understood the modern fad of paying too much for odd Scandinavian axes and hatchets when high quality American-made axes are still here for less!

Council said they'd be participating this year. Might roll out a special axe around that time and have it available July 4th weekend for us.
 

pat9198

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Joined
Feb 9, 2017
Messages
259
Location
Tennessee
Since we last met, it appears HJE is carrying Council Tool again. I have never understood the modern fad of paying too much for odd Scandinavian axes and hatchets when high quality American-made axes are still here for less!


Council said they'd be participating this year. Might roll out a special axe around that time and have it available July 4th weekend for us.


I already planned on picking up a Council Tool pickaroon, so that's great to hear! I'd love to pair it with an axe, and maybe some choppin' box art! :cool:
 

Squankum

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Mar 28, 2011
Messages
7,557
Location
Southeast
One thing I'm pondering getting for HJE day is some more adjustable/"Crescent" wrenches. I've bought many good American-made ones from HJE in the past, but now I've become aware of what the Japanese are up to, making some with thin jaws. The little one, at 2.5mm thickness, why, it's a cheap and space-efficient set of cone wrenches.


 

09Q

Active member
Joined
Mar 13, 2016
Messages
41
For me I appreciate the ability to participate in Epstein Day as this is a great way to support a small family owned and run hardware store and ideally support current American manufacturing. In an era where "fast" free shipping seems to be more important and I'll admit I cannot say I don't appreciate that myself; I just appreciate the ability to support a family owned business and also the ability to support USA jobs.

Sure Home Depot and these other big box stores have their place; yet it's not and will not ever be the same as supporting an business where you can speak to the owner if you want, have personal artwork drawn and there is something to be said about being able to purchase items not sold at big box stores.
 
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