This is endemic now in the tool industry. The major brands developed their reputation not only on quality, but their no questions warranties for life (OF THE TOOL). Period, no exclustions. If you abused it, found, bought it, or it was given to you. No receipt, just turn over the tool to a disributor and it was replaced. That was the standard warranty of major tool manufacturers and the main reason many professionals chose to pay the high prices for them.
Now we're in a designer culture where if you're a car mechanic, you're not considered professional unless you have all Snap-On. Electronics was like that too in the states when I got into the trade in the early 70's. All Xcellite was the mark of an electronics professional. No problem if you used the screwdriver as a chisel with a hammer and busted up the handle or bent a 90 degree turn on your needlednose pliers. You cutters got dull, you didn't bother sharpening them, they gave you a new one, same with your screwdrivers. There was no wear and tear clause. The latex dip on the handle erroding was enough for any major company to authorize a dealer to replace them.
Those "forever" clauses don't mean anything starting in the late 70's. Specific warranty statements for the "life of the product", ads that were placed in magazines showing a guy bringing in his dad's tools from the 30's to a sears for a replacement or speakers that were 30 years old being featured in an ad showing that the company has been around forever and stands behind a 30 year old product and their wormanship were common in magazines clearly showing they meant forever, not the production life or ownership started being eroded with wear and tear and normal use exceptions.
There's no reason to buy the best any longer unless it's for a specific reason. No matter who you buy from, they develop support amnesia after the production life and there is likely nobody working for the company that was part of the design or support team within a few years. Even parts retention for a period of years that was typically 7 is considered no longer feasable. It's a disposable manufacturing culture now. The most you can depend on is a replacement of similar features within the warranty period and be expected to pay shipping, handling, and even an evaluation fee that may rival the cost of a new product.
OTOH, while the big name tools are getting lower in quality, warranty support, and eventually outsourced to Asia, many of the bargain branded tools are getting exponentially better in hardness,fit, and finish at low prices. In the states, we have a discount, bargain tool company you've all heard of called Harbor Freight. I seen a pair of their yellow wire strippers next to a new Xcellite branded one a few weeks ago. Guess which had the better bluing, rivet setting and overall fit and finish for USD $2 ?
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