Conversely, Irwin could have kept the factory open if they wanted to, they were operating in the black. If only Malco would have bought them out before they sent the tooling to China they might not have had those issues. I know they had some tooling or machine problems which didn’t help anything either. I actually am acquainted with a couple of the people that made both the original Vise-Grips and the Eagle Grips and it is sad that good folks like them no longer make them. Was thinking at the time if they had a finish like the originals and sold for $5 less they might do better. I got a pair and am almost afraid to use them and mar the finish. One thing about the Eagle Grips is the finish/polish they put on them. if HD thinks (or learns) that a high-quality tool will not command its selling price – then they likely push their suppliers to “cheapen things up.” Stanley/Irwin – now probably take their cues about quality and price more from their big retailers like Home Depot than they do from us lowly end customers. The last Irwin auger bits that I bought (11, 15, 17 and 26mm – x 191 mm long hex shank) were made in Brazil – and seem quite serviceable.

All of these companies (and many others too) got bought up – and now sort of fall under the Stanley umbrella. The Irwin (patented) pattern had a center spur and apparently was easier to make and perhaps stronger than the Russel Jennings.

one) was the premier cordless tool for boring holes in wood. Both were made in the USA – when the bit brace (like a North Bros. Irwin has changed ownership over the years (now part of SBD – sold to them from Newell-Rubbermaid) – but started out as a company making auger bits to undercut Russell Jennings price.

Vice grip garage