Trustworthy tools are important. Whether you’re traveling, in the field, camping, boating, off-roading, fishing, hiking, engaged in shooting sports, RVing, etc., or if you utilize them for occupational reasons, you’re going to be needing some type of tool or another eventually. What you decide to keep in your toolbox or kit is going to vary depending on activity, weight, and storage considerations. I came across an adjustable wrench that could comfortably make its way into multiple kits.
While attending the 2023 Shooting Hunting Outdoor Trade show in Las Vegas, Nevada, I ran into Tektite. The New Jersey based company manufactures a line of flashlights, safety equipment, and dive equipment. One of the interesting products that they offer for sale is called the Exact Wrench. I ended up getting sent a few to try out and they’re pretty neat.
What’s an Exact Wrench?
The Exact Wrench is an adjustable wrench similar to what people would normally refer to as a “Crescent Wrench.” This is one of those Kleenex/Sheetrock kind of conversations, tools are not immune to trademarked product names standing in as a generic term for the tool itself.
What makes the Exact Wrench unique is that it’s supposed to stay exactly where a user sets it. People who work with tools on the regular, and specifically anyone that incorporates an adjustable wrench into their maintenance repertoire, would know that most adjustables on the market will creep. In the commission of using a wrench, they might be prone to slacking up and then changing the adjustment of the jaws becomes necessary.
The Exact Wrench has integrated springs within the mechanism that keeps the jaws in place. This makes for a better experience because once properly set, the chances of rounding out fasteners with the Exact Wrench are much less. Conventional adjustables that walk open might add unnecessary wear to nuts, bolts, etc. when being loosened or tightened.
Construction
The wrenches are constructed of chrome-vanadium steel and have a black phosphate coating on them to keep from oxidizing. The finish on one of the three wrenches seems slightly different than the other two I noticed. The wrenches are noted to have been manufactured in Japan.
There are a few different configurations of the Exact Wrench that are available:
- 1″ Straight jaw, 8.8″ (224 mm)L, HT-24
- 1-1/4″ Straight jaw, 8.8″ (224 mm)L, HT-32
- 1-1/2″ Straight jaw, 8.8″ (224 mm)L, HT-38
- 1″ Angled jaw, 20 deg., 8.5″ (216mm)L , HT-200B
- 3/4″ Compact Angled jaw, 20 deg., 6.75″ (168mm)L, 3.7mm thick jaws, HT-150B
The Exact Wrench in action
As noted, I was sent three Exact Wrenches by Tektite for testing and evaluation. Two longer 8.8″ models and one shorter 6.75″ model. One of the 8.8″ and the 6.75″ models both had angled heads. The jaws on these wrenches were also slim, so they’re designed to fit into tight spaces.
I used the combination of the three wrenches out in the field for about a year. At first, I was not impressed. However, the longer I used them, the more I liked them. I was so used to my sloppier old and worn out adjustable, that it took a bit of time to get used to the tight tolerances of the Exact Wrench when using it.
Slim design
Since the jaws are slim, you don’t want to really reef on a fastener when tightening it, or use it to loosen a stubborn nut or bolt. I did not put this to the test, but absolutely, the jaws will break if you overexert them.
As mentioned in Exact Wrench marketing material, the slim profiles make the wrenches perfect for certain jam nuts and other applications where there might be a tight fit.
The angled heads
My experience with the three wrenches left me fairly impressed. The angled heads were nice to have, however, distracting if you don’t actually need that kind of profile for the job that you’re working on. I preferred to use the straight 8.8″ for most of the time.
Not a wide mouth
One of the drawbacks I found with the tools I received has to do with how far the jaws could open. Years ago, I made the switch to one specific brand of and model of adjustable wrenches. I sought out the model that would be considered to have “wide” jaws. That wrench spoiled me, that much I could say. There were several occasions where the Exact Wrenches I had just did not open up far enough for certain applications. On the smaller and medium sized fasteners, the Exact Wrench was perfect. The larger stuff needed a different tool.
I will note, that according to Exact Wrench’s page, they do offer a wide mouth version which will open up to 1 and 1/2″.
The price
The advertised price of the Exact Wrench on the Tektite web page seems a bit steep to me. I understand that this is a precision made wrench and a specialized tool, but my normal go to is about half the price of the Exact Wrench. Models of the Exact Wrench seem to run between $54.95 and $69.95.
Good quality
I’ve only had these for a year, but they do seem to be very high quality, so in the long run, the price might pay for itself when it comes to purchasing an Exact Wrench. How well they hold up is going to take time to tell.
The quick and dirty
Pluses: Sturdy and well-made wrenches. Does work as advertised and intended. A very useful and specialized tool that’s perfect for nearly every toolbox.
Minuses: A little expensive. Takes some time to get used to.
I think that the Exact Wrenches are great adjustables. It took me a little bit of time to come on board with them, but they seem to have a high level of quality. Would I buy an Exact Wrench? Yeah, I would. Even if I think the price is a little steep, this is a tool that’s worth it to have for certain applications. I can see this unit bailing one out if they’re in a jam. I’d also recommend it to friends or family who are in the market for this kind of wrench. They’re solid wrenches and worth giving a shot.
You can purchase Exact Wrenches from the Tektite web site directly, or there are some available a little less expensive for sale at Amazon.
