Klein Tools is the latest tool brand to launch permanent markers, taking on Sharpie, Milwaukee Inkzall, and others.
Klein Tools’ new line of markers, dubbed Skribes, are advertised as being “crafted with high-quality industrial ink and durable clog-resistant tips for long-lasting performance.”
They’re said to have a 72-hour cap-off life to avoid drying out.
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The markers have an integrated clip that fits most hard hat brims, a lanyard loop, and anti-roll triangular barrel grip.
The ink is said to be quick-drying to prevent smudging, and can write on wet, dry, poly, and abrasive surfaces.
There are 4 marker sizes, and what looks to be a refillable mechanical pencil.
Pricing varies. For comparison purpose, a pack of 12 fine tip markers with black ink is $10 for 12.
According to online product listings, the new Klein Skribes permanent markers are made in China.
Discussion
I imagine that we’ll soon find these at a pro section endcap or checkout at Lowe’s.
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Frankly speaking, that’s the part I find interesting, how almost every new Klein Tools products seems to be stemming from their relatively young partnership with Lowe’s.
That’s what makes a product like this worth it – retail volume.
If you want to try Milwaukee Inkzall, you can get a single marker for 98 cents with free shipping from Home Depot, or $3.48 for the multi-color 4-pack. I feel bad for saying it, but it’ll take similar for me to try Klein’s new markers.
Markers can be an impulse buy – I wonder how many people buy these from checkout counter displays, rather than online.
I’ve been very pleased with Milwaukee Inkzall markers over the years, and no complaints come to mind. Maybe a few years from now folks will be saying the same about Klein Skribes.
LE
I picked up a pack last week, they seem good so far. I really like the bright orange. I was actually using the Kobalt ones because they held up good for me but the all black design was annoying when laid down somewhere. I’ve found the Milwaukee inkzall’s to be terrible for writing on wood or tags, etc. outside, it’s gone within a couple weeks, the Kobalt’s last much longer. Sharpie brand aren’t good for that either. Time will tell if the Kleins hold up.
I’m not sure if the reader base here knows about AM Leonard horticultural tool supply, but they make good “nursery markers” for outside marking, just expensive though.
William
The pen size micro point tip and the magnum size tips aren’t available from Milwaukee. I used to use the double ended Sharpie with a fine tip and micro tip but the fine tip always wore out sooner.
Justin
These?
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-INKZALL-Black-Ultra-Fine-Point-Pens-4-Pack-48-22-3164/312768939
I have them and they work really well for labels on new smoke/co detectors and such. Very similar to the Sharpies that you mentioned that I also liked.
William
I stand corrected!
Jerry
I heard about them, and was even looking for them last time I was at HD, but never found them in the store. Thanks for the link!
Jared
I would try them, just because. It may turn out to be a me-too white-label type product, but that doesn’t matter much if it works and is cheap.
I worry about Klein slapping their branding on random products they didn’t develop themselves and undermining the value of the brand name. That just doesn’t apply, in my mind, to markers.
Stuart
Objectively speaking, it doesn’t have to be better to sell well, just “close enough” and convenient for people to buy.
That’s my concern as well. Time will tell. Some brands do this better than others.
Travis
I worry about the same. I feel like their quality is already slipping. Replaced a lost pair of lineman pliers recently. The fit and finish on the newer pair was not up to par.
Gg2
There is market for markers, if you a business that caters to construction type industry why not. Next thing they will selling lunch boxes that attach to tool boxes…..just wait and see.
eddiesky
I still have a Inkzall mark on my hand from Friday. Won’t was off in shower! LOL. But I figure the skin will shed before the ink comes off.
I have Pico pencils and while great, I still reach for carpenter’s pencil (Neon Orange) because I can’t find where I put down the Pico.
Work had BIG sharpies that ended up in my backpack once. But If its Klein, its MINE!
Would like an assorted 4 pack of these. Also, I ordered the Klein headled light thanks to a reader’s mention.
Toolguyd readers are great!
Stuart, what’s SUV decision? MDX or? Now I’m reading about the Toyota Grand Highlander…more room than Sequoia. Night shade might replace my CX-5…
Stuart
I’m still obsessively researching SUVs. Went to a few dealers, hope for more test drives last this week. Might look at the Grand Highlander, but I don’t want to wait or pay the high dealer markups that are widespread right now. Leaning towards the Pilot or considerably smaller Mazda CX-50. Might try the CX-5 as well.
CMF
Curious…”I don’t want to wait or pay the high dealer markups that are widespread right now.”.
January is typically a very slow month for all of retail, being just after Christmas and consumers not having any money to spend. Wouldn’t dealers be more in a dealing mood, trying to get any sales they can get?
Stuart
There’s very limited inventory in my area. Available inventory is marked up with options and dealer-installed accessories.
For example, this is for the (1) Grand Highlander Hybrid a local dealer has in a certain trim:
Package & Accessories: $5,729
Activity Mount: $689
Body Side Moldings: $275
Door Edge Guards: $160
20″ Black Satin Wheels: $1,600
Illuminated Door Sills: $345
Mudguards: $155
PREMIUM PAINT: $475
Logo Side Puddle Lamp: $175
Integrated Dashcam: $499
Alloy Wheel Locks: $105
Connected Services Trial Offering: $325
All-Weather Floor Liner Package: $378
Blackout Emblem Overlays: $0
Paint Protection Film: Hood, Fenders, Mirror Backs & Door Cups: $439
Multimedia Screen Protector – Glass: $109
I believe that all of that, except for the paint, are dealer-added options.
It seems like the option is to pay MSPR and wait or pay well above MSPR for pricey packages on very limited inventory.
There are plenty of Pilots in my area, and I can presumably get a discount off on-hand inventory.
Thus Honda – discount off MSRP, Toyota – MSRP or several thousand more. For vehicles of comparable MSRP, this creates a significant price differential where the Toyota is ~$10K more for no reason other than low inventory right now.
Got a message just now from a Toyota dealership I requested a quote from. They said all inbound inventory are spoken for with deposits, and I should let them know if I want my name added to the list. Basically, they’re selling the cars before they even arrive. Even with January being slow, there won’t be deals to be had.
Michael F
I have a 2020 Sequoia, and I’d doubt the overall cubic foot cargo values as they can be misleading. I can fit a full 4×8 sheet of plywood or sheetrock in the back of my Sequoia with the seats folded down. Almost positive you can’t do that in a Grand Highlander.
FixThis
For anyone wondering, Klein has already gone the way of becoming a wide brand supplier. Quality will be hit or miss on certain items now, but maybe the flip coin is that Milwaukee has competition. Deciding factor could be quality or which item was “made in USA”
OlegK
Thank God! I always have trouble getting a PRO marker, only Milwaukee and, like, 50 other companiws make them, not even talking about the ubiquitous SHARPIE.
Jronman
Looks like a me too product but I suppose it could be the “Inkzall of Lowes”. Not a bad thing but innovation would have been appreciated. The mechanical pencil reminds me of the Pica with the long reach feature. When it comes to marking innovation Pica is at the top in my book.
Phil
This is starting to paint a picture. It looks like Klein is slowly becoming to Lowes, what Milwaukee is to Home Depot. Other than their bottom shelf house brands Lowes doesn’t have a top tier tool brand dominating every aisle of the store like Milwaukee does at Home Depot. Looks like Lowe’s rivers will run orange with Klein before long. And I’m cool with that. I love Klein tools, I just hope that this bolstering from Lowe’s raises Klein’s hit/miss ratio. It has to, if they’re going to compete with the likes of Milwaukee/HD. Especially since Klein’s competition is willing to straight up copy their products the day the patent rights run out.
You know what I’d like to see? In-store replacement bits for Klein stuff. You know how much Klein stuff I’ve had to retire to the tool graveyard because bits and bobs went missing? I realize that may never happen because of Klein’s massive custom bit selection and the fact that it would eat into new tool sales. But it sure would be nice!
David G. W.
I go through a dozen or so fine tip markers every year. It would be nice not to feel too guilty leaving the cap off for a few hours. My Sharpies die pretty quick when I do that.
Stuart
Revmark is another option with long cap-off time. https://www.amazon.com/RevMark-Industrial-Marker-Permanent-Standard/dp/B079YW354Q?tag=toolguyd-20
Shane
They offer these already in the stores in my area. They look like an Orange INXALL. If a brand wants to convince me to swap, there would have to be a very compelling reason. Anything priced in the same range is an also-ran. I have been using the Milwaukee markers for years. Most times their prices are more compelling than sharpie. I just don’t see how anyone can reinvent that wheel.
ChipSkip
Don’t know if others know this but Klein is under a lawsuit over there modular system being similar to Milwaukee’s packout. Now here are their markers and so far in my own opinion, it is a Inkzall but orange in color. So what is going on exactly with Klein?
Leo B.
I used a single Inkzall for about 2 years, writing on boxes a few times a week, changing later to a few times a month. The tip went flat within a few weeks, but it just would not die. Still have it, and it still writes. The pencil looks like an interesting addition to the market, but replacement leads and the holster make or break these. Interesting news!
JR Ramos
They have the fine point at our local stores. I may pick some up just to see if the clip is sturdy – my chief complaint with the Inkzall caps. If they stock the extra fine I will definitely try those out as I go through about 8-10 of the Sharpies monthly. I don’t need the pencil but I’d love to take a look at one and see how it compares. If Klein brought out a deep hole/nose marker like the Dixon I’d be all over that…Dixon is getting hard to find but those are better than the Pico or import copies.
S
Interesting, they’re definitely worth the try. I primarily run the Milwaukee inkzall because they just work every time. I end up burning up the felt before the marker runs dry, no matter what fluids or grime I’m marking on. Sharpies of any color only tend to last me a week tops…
I’ve tried the harbor freight markers, which do work just as well. But the main issue with those is the all-black color. They get lost in the tool boxes dark recesses really fast. I don’t even know where the 4 i bought ended up. I haven’t seen them in a few months.
If these are anywhere near as good as the Milwaukee’s, it’ll definitely be an ‘oh toss those on the order too’ item for me.