10-09-2015, 12:05 PM
Ed,
Many of the OSG are made in Japan, as that's where their headquarters is located. In fact I'd never seen any of theirs marked as made in USA though I'm sure you're right if you have them. As for Widia, it's part of the Widia-Hanita-Manchester group now, still owned by Kennametal but shoved off and run independently. They could soon shift manufacture to China if they haven't already. Hertel is a brand bought out by MSC from Kennametal. The drills and taps with that name on them were made in Germany when Kennmetal owned them, selling them here under the Kennametal brand name.
In my experience and no-so-humble opinion, the highest quality taps made today are a tie between Emuge and Prototyp, both German, with the higher-end OSG following close behind. As much as I prefer to support US makers, comparing the materials and grind quality of the Prototyp taps against the American made Greenfield, Hanson, Butterfield, and even a couple of Brubaker, the German stuff is clearly on top.
Many of the OSG are made in Japan, as that's where their headquarters is located. In fact I'd never seen any of theirs marked as made in USA though I'm sure you're right if you have them. As for Widia, it's part of the Widia-Hanita-Manchester group now, still owned by Kennametal but shoved off and run independently. They could soon shift manufacture to China if they haven't already. Hertel is a brand bought out by MSC from Kennametal. The drills and taps with that name on them were made in Germany when Kennmetal owned them, selling them here under the Kennametal brand name.
In my experience and no-so-humble opinion, the highest quality taps made today are a tie between Emuge and Prototyp, both German, with the higher-end OSG following close behind. As much as I prefer to support US makers, comparing the materials and grind quality of the Prototyp taps against the American made Greenfield, Hanson, Butterfield, and even a couple of Brubaker, the German stuff is clearly on top.