Seaturtle
Plastic
- Joined
- Jan 24, 2020
- Location
- Memphis, TN
TLDR: B&S calipers don't have swiss made on there anymore, trying to see if they've moved to China or somewhere to shave costs while still charging high. For those with pre-Hexagon/TESA calipers, how are they in comparison?
For a preface, I'm a bit of a fan for Brown and Sharpe's dial calipers. Reason being my instructor touted his dial caliper had been by his side for well over 20 years at least. It was a bit beat up, seeing as it was heavily used, but the accuracy was surprisingly on point. Since then, I've stuck with B&S whenever given the opportunity, though I've noticed that there's been a change to some of their components and they often no longer mention the "Swiss made" bragging point put into the dial's face.
In fact, the last time I tried ordering from their catalog a week or so ago, I couldn't find any information on where these calipers were being made. I don't know when it happened, but B&S has clearly made changes regarding this and I don't know how to feel about it. Several reviews I've seen on amazon for their 599-579-4/5 calipers claim they're Chinese knock offs as a cost-saving measure. My pair is also missing it. I'm wondering if after the buyout from Hexagon in 2001 and integrating into the TESA sub-branch, B&S has resorted to dropping their long tradition of swiss instruments in the name of profit.
It sort of feels like my instructor's old caliper, with the lack of a thumbwheel being an important draw for me with newer models. That same smooth gliding motion feels no different for now, either.
But my question is, for those who've stuck with B&S calipers, when do you think the "swiss made" aspect had no longer been mentioned? I'd appreciate any feedback.
For a preface, I'm a bit of a fan for Brown and Sharpe's dial calipers. Reason being my instructor touted his dial caliper had been by his side for well over 20 years at least. It was a bit beat up, seeing as it was heavily used, but the accuracy was surprisingly on point. Since then, I've stuck with B&S whenever given the opportunity, though I've noticed that there's been a change to some of their components and they often no longer mention the "Swiss made" bragging point put into the dial's face.
In fact, the last time I tried ordering from their catalog a week or so ago, I couldn't find any information on where these calipers were being made. I don't know when it happened, but B&S has clearly made changes regarding this and I don't know how to feel about it. Several reviews I've seen on amazon for their 599-579-4/5 calipers claim they're Chinese knock offs as a cost-saving measure. My pair is also missing it. I'm wondering if after the buyout from Hexagon in 2001 and integrating into the TESA sub-branch, B&S has resorted to dropping their long tradition of swiss instruments in the name of profit.
It sort of feels like my instructor's old caliper, with the lack of a thumbwheel being an important draw for me with newer models. That same smooth gliding motion feels no different for now, either.
But my question is, for those who've stuck with B&S calipers, when do you think the "swiss made" aspect had no longer been mentioned? I'd appreciate any feedback.