Morris Minor Owners Club

This is nothing new, just an illustration of where the world has gone...

I needed an additional 1/2 AF combination spanner. My normal supplier was out of stock, delivery 10 days for a respected manufacturer. I ordered, but as needed urgently, also ordered from a well known online store with next day delivery. A manufacturer that meant nothing to me, two spanners for half the cost of the one that I had on order.

For this application, I wanted to attach a lanyard (to retrieve spanner if dropped) and coat in rubber for insulation. All spanners "chrome vanadium". Cheap spanner, centre punch made a nice deep hole and drill bit went through like a knife through butter. Roughened surface with coarse emery cloth and wire brush to get a key for the rubber. All OK. Expensive spanner, the centre punch practically bounced off and left only a small indentation. Drill bit worked hard to get through. Roughened surface as before, and after a quick wipe with a rag, it was shiny and smooth again.

Both spanners fit well, but I know which one I will trust for regular use, and which one I expect to outlive me. It won't be the Chinesium pair.

I agree with you as regards quality.
Most of my spanners and tools are bought S/H and are years old - some even left over from my apprenticeship in the early 1970s.
I like the original 1970s Britool spanners/tools and recently have become reacquainted with 1970s Gordon spanners.
Even though most are years old I am very selective as regards the quality.
Unfortunately not all the spanners/tools that I require are available at the quality I would like and in some cases have to resort the lesser quality tools out of necessity.
Car boot sales are a good place to buy good 1970s tools.