The Asaki hexagon socket set for Torx screws made a good impression in our test. The product offers a complete set of high quality Torx spanners at a relatively low price. The spanners fit perfectly into Torx screws. High torques can be applied with the long handle. Another positive aspect is that there are no signs of use even after testing. A holder bag with practical sorting is also part of the set. Nevertheless, a better fit for the spanners in the holder bag would have been desirable, as would packaging with contact information appropriate to the product.
Advantages
✅ High stability of the spanners
✅ Long handle for high torques
✅ Safety Torx
✅ No recognisable wear and tear
Disadvantages
❌ unfavourable packaging
❌ Incomplete contact information
❌ Poor fit of the keys in the holder
The test
General information
We have looked at and tested the product in detail in a practical test. In the following, we take a closer look at the features and impressions. The product is subjected to our test procedure from the packaging, materials and quality to the range of functions and handling.
To give you a quick overview, we work with a points system. The maximum possible number of points per area is 100 points. The final overall score is calculated from the average of all tested features, taking into account the respective weightings. For a detailed insight into our comprehensive evaluation process, which forms the basis of all our product ratings, please click here.
The first impression
The packaging and labelling
ℹ️ Here we take a closer look at packaging. Sustainability is becoming an increasingly important factor. In addition, adequate protection of the product must of course also be ensured.
| Criterion | Remark | Score achieved* |
|---|---|---|
| Product protection | Product protection at all times despite damaged packaging | 95 points |
| Sustainability Packaging | Blister packaging requires a lot of plastic and cannot be reused | 65 points |
| Packaging convenience | Tool required to open, sharp edges after cutting open | 55 points |
| Total | 72 points |
*The maximum score is 100 points
The Allen key set from ASAKI arrived in a typical Amazon dispatch bag. The mailing bag was easy to open without any tools thanks to the tear strip. Inside was the spanner set, shrink-wrapped in a blister pack. This is a transparent packaging made of hard plastic with a pocket inside that matches the shape of the product.
The blister had a tear in the top right-hand corner and a small piece had broken off the bottom right-hand corner. As the blister is very robust packaging and the product itself is not sensitive, the product was fully protected at all times despite the damage.
From our point of view, a blister pack would not have been necessary. Although it is a very secure form of packaging, it is not necessary for the type of product. A simpler and more manageable packaging, for example made of cardboard, would have been perfectly adequate. As the blister cannot be opened non-destructively, it cannot be reused. The advantage of the blister is that the key set is completely safe from dirt and scratches.
Tools such as scissors are required to open the blister. The cut-open blister is sharp-edged. Although this is unpleasant when unpacking, there is no risk of serious injury.
After unpacking
Package contents and instructions
ℹ️ Most people’s first impression after unpacking is immediately memorable. Are the contents of the pack complete and does the manufacturer make it as easy as possible for me to use the product straight away?
| Criterion | Remark | Score achieved* |
|---|---|---|
| Package contents & scope | Complete set of keys with holder bag | 100 points |
| Instructions for use | Not available, but not absolutely necessary for this product | 90 points |
| Contact information | Manufacturer’s name on the back of the packaging, contact information only in Chinese or not available | 45 points |
| Total | 78 points |
*The maximum score is 100 points
The hexagon socket spanner set consists of a total of ten parts: Nine Torx spanners and a holder bag with hinge. The holder bag consists of a black and an orange plastic part, which are connected via the hinge. The individual spanners are located in precisely fitting holes, allowing the spanners to be sorted according to size. The sizes range from T10 to T50. The sizes are labelled next to the holes on the holder bag.
The set does not come with instructions for use, but this is not absolutely necessary for a product of this type. Instead, there is a simple graphic on the back of the packaging showing how to use the spanners.
The full manufacturer’s name and contact information can also be found on the back. The latter consists of the company address and a telephone number without the corresponding area code. However, both are only printed in Chinese characters. There is no e-mail address.
The first time in your hand
Product processing and appearance
ℹ️ Before we start the practical test, we take a close look at the product processing. How high quality are the materials used? Is the look and feel satisfactory?
| Criterion | Remark | Score achieved* |
|---|---|---|
| Visual appearance | High-quality keys, simple holder bag | 90 points |
| Processing | Flawless keys, but the fit in the holder pocket could be improved | 80 points |
| Stability | Even the smallest spanner can hardly be bent by hand | 100 points |
| Sustainability of the product | Material-saving holder | 100 points |
| Total | 93 points |
*The maximum score is 100 points
According to the manufacturer, the individual spanners are made of hardened chrome vanadium steel and have a long lever. The spanners also make a very high-quality impression in practice. Even the smallest spanner can hardly be bent, so a long service life can be expected. The manufacturer’s name ASAKI, CR-V as an abbreviation for chrome vanadium steel and the respective size of the Torx are printed on the long side of the spanners.
The holder bag cannot quite keep up with this very high-quality impression. The plastic does not feel quite as high-quality as the metal of the spanners. Although the keys can be easily removed from the holder and pushed back in again, they are not well secured. If the filled holder bag is turned upside down, some of the keys fall out. Most keys also have a little play in the holes of the holder bag. The design of the holder bag, which consists of just two relatively small pieces, is therefore entirely in keeping with sustainability, as significantly less material is required than for a closed cover.
This is what our practical test showed
Does the manufacturer keep its advertising promises?
ℹ️ Our practical test is the most relevant and therefore the most important. Here, the product has to undergo a wide range of criteria and tests. We check the functions and product promises of the test article.
| Criterion | Remark | Points achieved* |
|---|---|---|
| Use of the holder bag | Favourable sorting, no option for direct attachment to the belt | 90 points |
| Quick screwing in with the short side | Secure fit of the spanner in the screw, but limited to low torques due to the small lever | 95 points |
| Tighten with the long side | Easy generation of high torques thanks to the long lever | 95 points |
| Use on hexagon socket screws | Works without damaging the key | 100 points |
| Durability and wear | No signs of use visible after the test | 100 points |
| Total | 96 points |
*The maximum score is 100 points
By sorting the keys in the holder bag according to size, the right key can be found quickly. The low weight of the holder bag also makes it ideal for mobile applications. Unfortunately, the holder bag lacks a suitable eyelet or comparable device for attaching the holder bag to a belt or in a tool case. The eyelet for hanging the holder bag on typical supermarket shelf hooks is unfortunately too small.
The keys themselves are excellent to use. The spanners fit perfectly into Torx screws and ensure that the torque is transferred securely to the screw. The safety Torx is located at the end of the short side with the corresponding circular indentation in the centre.
The long side is relatively long at 95 mm (T10) to 220 mm (T50). This allows high torques to be applied without great effort. In practice, however, it is noticeable that the short side is somewhat short at 18 mm (T10) to 45 mm (T50), especially with the small spanners. This forces the user to switch to the long side quite early on if not enough torque can be applied with the short side. When using the long side, however, it is difficult to support the spanner at the short end. This is particularly necessary if components are to be screwed together without pre-drilling.
Although not directly intended for this purpose, the “misuse” of the spanners on classic hexagon socket screws was also tested. These could also be screwed without any problems, even if the spanner naturally does not sit quite as securely in the screw as in the corresponding Torx screws.
Overall, all assigned tasks could be completed quickly and reliably with the spanners. Even after the test, the spanners showed no signs of wear, not even on the edges of the Torx profile. The fear that the coating applied by the manufacturer to prevent rust would come off during use was not confirmed. Accordingly, the ASAKI spanner set can be certified as being of high quality.
Price/performance ratio
and ratings from consumers
ℹ️ Finally, we look at how the product compares to the competition. Can it keep up with the competition in terms of price and quality? Would we generally recommend buying it? We also analyse consumer reviews and check whether the critical and positive reviews are actually justified.
| Criterion | Remark | Points achieved* |
|---|---|---|
| Price / performance ratio | Good price/performance ratio | 90 points |
| Rating cut | 4.4 out of 5.0 on Amazon | 70 points |
| Total | 80 points |
*The maximum score is 100 points
On the Amazon platform, consumers have given the product an average rating of 4.4 stars. The quality is often criticised. Many customers like the fact that the spanners perform their tasks reliably. In our practical test, we were able to confirm that the spanners are generally very easy to use and fulfil their task reliably, but that there is room for improvement in terms of the quality of the holder bag.
Prices of up to €33 are charged on the Internet for equivalent products. Very inexpensive products are available from as little as €10. With a price of €15.16, the hexagon socket set from Asaki is currently between the lower and middle price segment. The price ratio is reasonable for the quality and scope of services you get.
Overall result
| Weighting | Points achieved* | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. packaging & labelling | 15% | 72 points |
| 2. package contents & instructions | 15% | 78 points |
| 3. product processing & appearance | 20% | 93 points |
| 4. in the practical test | 30% | 96 points |
| 5. price/performance & consumer reviews | 20% | 80 points |
| Total | 86 points |
The hexagon socket set from the Asaki brand therefore receives an overall score of 1.7 from us and has therefore been successfully certified for our test seal. The test was carried out in the test period 10/22 and is listed in our database under the licence number 220903002. You can find more information about our test procedure at www.prüfengel.de/testverfahren.
Test result:
1,7
