If you are looking for a good brand of tools to build your arsenal with, then two very popular brands to consider include Stanley and Husky. Of course, it does matter what kind of tools you get, because not every brand is the same.
What we are here to do today is to take an in-depth look at both of the brands to see what they have to offer. We will be comparing the two on a side-by-side basis, based on a variety of important factors, including product quality, warranties offered, product selection, and more.
Let’s get to it and figure out which of these two tool brands is best for you.
A Brief History of Stanley and Husky
First off, we have Stanley. This company was first started by Frederick Stanley all the way back in 1843, in New Britain, USA. It started out by manufacturing a variety of hardware out of iron, things like hinges, bolts, and other such things. Henry Stanley, the cousin of Fred, then founded the Stanley Rule and Level Company in 1857.
In 1920, Stanley Rule merged with Stanley Works and was continued to be known as Stanley Works. Stanley entered the British market in 1937 when it acquired J.A. Chapman, a British producer of carpentry tools. This company was extremely successful. As we know it today, Stanley is owned by Stanley Black and Decker.
This is because in 2010, Black & Decker merged with Stanley Works. At this time, Stanley is seen as the flagship brand of the group, especially when it comes to budget tools. Some people say that Stanley is the best budget tool manufacturer on the market.
Stanley
Next, we have Husky. This is an American manufacturer of tools. It produces many hand tools, pneumatic tools, storage solutions, and power tools too. The Husky brand was first created by a Czechoslovakian immigrant, Sigmund Mandl, in the early 1900s. Husky really took off as a brand in 1924 when Sigmund created the very first Husky wrench, a one-of-a-kind mechanic’s wrench.
By 1928, Husky formed a large collaboration with the J.H. Williams Tool Group, with J.H. distributing that Husky Wrench. Husky was then sold to the Olsen Manufacturing Company in 1929, which was based out of Kenosha, Wisconsin. It then sold Husky to the New Britain Machine Company in 1932, with the NBMC being bought by Litton Industries in the 1970s.
Husky was then sold to the National Hand Tool Corporation in 1986, which was then purchased by Stanley Works in 1986. Stanley works transferred the rights to The Home Depot, and at this time, Husky is one of the smaller brands out there. To this day, Husky is owned by The Home Depot.
Husky
Stanley vs. Husky: Which Offers Better Quality?
Let’s figure out which of these two tool brands offers the best product quality.
First off, we have Stanley, which is known as the best budget brand of tools out there. So, how good they are is a bit questionable. On one hand, they are the best budget brand, and yet they are still a budget brand. Now, what is surprising is that Stanley does make a lot of products in the USA (mainly things like tape measures, utility knives, tool storage, and hand tools), but keep in mind that they are made with global copmonents.
Stanley says that up to 40% of products are USA-made, but this is a definite stretch. Most tools are now made in China.
In the grand scheme of things, as far as budget tools go, yes, Stanley is a good brand, although it really doesn’t stack up with the more expensive brands out there. Stanley tools are regarded as being fine for light work and repairs, but not really for professional and heavy-duty use.
In terms of Husky, this brand is seen as being quite average, nothing too special but nothing bad either. It is worth noting that there is a difference between the power tools and the hand and mechanic’s tools.
In terms of the power tools, these are seen as being decent. They’re nothing too fantastic, and while they work fine for home use, small DIY tasks, and light repairs, serious professionals would probably not use them. They just aren’t tough enough, but that said, people do like them for their comfort and overall ease of use. With that being said, the mechanic’s and hand tools that Husky makes are seen as being very good. Most people would say that Husky hand tools and mechanic’s tools are top of the line and easily stand up to the other best brands out there.
In terms of where the tools are made, Husky outsources all production to companies like Stanley Black & Decker, Western Forge, Apex Tool Group, and Iron Bridge Tools making their products. The vast majority of products are made in China, although some of the hand tools are made in the USA.
When it comes down to it, both brands are relatively on par, although it would seem that Husky does have the higher quality hand tools and mechanic’s tools.
Which Offers a Better Warranty?
Stanley has full lifetime warranties for mechanic’s tools, limited lifetime warranties for hand tools and garden tools, and two- or three-year limited warranties for everything else.
Husky provides limited lifetime warranties on all hand tools and mechanic’s tools, and most power tools have either a two-year or three-year limited warranty.
It does appear as though Stanley has slightly better warranties.
Stanley vs. Husky: Which Has a Better Product Portfolio?
Husky is the smaller brand, and across the board, their product selection is not nearly as large as that of Stanley.
Which Brand Offers a Better Selection of Hand Tools?
Both brands produce all of the possible hand tools that you could imagine, and while Husky hand tools are seen as very good, the selection is still not as good as that of Stanley. Stanley is just a much larger brand with a bigger selection no matter the tool category.
Which Brand Offers a Better Selection of Power Tools?
This theme continues here, because Husky makes barely any power tools at all, just a few, whereas Stanley keeps increasing the number of power tools in its product portfolio.
Which of the Two Brands Should You Choose?
What it really all comes down to is quality vs. selection. Husky is said to have great hand tools and mechanic’s tools, but Stanley has the better selection, especially in terms of power tools.
Summary
There you have it folks, everything you need to know about these two brands to make a choice between them. They’re both fine brands for people who want decent tools that don’t cost a fortune.