[RKM]

Interesting reading! Men are often pretty passionate about their tools.

I was fortunate to have inherited quite a bit of snap-on, the quality is very good. I've yet to stretch or break a snap-on wrench and I've been pretty abusive at times. I've broken or stretched lesser wrenches. There is some truth to the old saying "you get what you pay for". Good quality wrenches feel good in the hand, are balanced and are easy on the hand to use. They are also often thinner through the head, so will fit in places cheaper, thicker wrenches will not.

Would I buy snap-on today? I'm sure there are tools that are much better value. I agree that you pay for the prestige, like driving with a three pointed star on your hood. I'm too thrifty to pay a big premium for image.

I will say that I hate cheap tools. They are dangerous, a waste of money and often will not get the job done. If you use tools a lot, the cheap stuff is poor economy. I've been suckered in by cheap prices on Princess Autos Power Fist power tools a couple of times. We will burn up a cheap angle grinder in two or three weeks in the shop. A good quality grinder may cost 3-5X as much, but will last for a couple of years.

Rob