After bringing quality and style back to the lowly bicycle pump, SILCA is now moving to tools with the premium HX-One hex key kit.
The hex key is one of the most commonly used tools in a mechanics tool kit. When I’m working on my bike, you can be sure that I have a variety of hex keys in my back pocket.
You and I probably use the lowly kit we picked up at Sears, or some finer items from Park or Pedro’s, but if you’ve ever had the change to look in the toolboxes of Pro-Tour mechanics you’ll find extremely high quality hex keys. The reasoning is simple. Better tool fit leads to better feel and confidence for the mechanic as well as a significant reduction in the likelihood of damaging exotic fasteners made from titanium or aluminum.
For the HX-One, SILCA started with the finest S-2 Tool Steel, a shock resistant steel which has been refined by Swiss and German toolmakers for the optimal balance of strength, hardness, shock resistance and dimensional control. S-2 yields stronger tools with much harder surfaces for prolonged tool life.
The keys are then coated with thin-dense Chrome, a process generally reserved for mold tool components or optical grade surfaces inside molding tools. This coating provides the hardest, most dimensionally stable finish possible on each hex key. Finally, each tool is spray coated with a high-grip, high-visibility textured polymer finish for maximum grip and control. No more dropping your tools with greasy fingers or losing them on your workbench!
Included with the HX-One Essentials Kit is the proprietary SILCA 17-4 Stainless Magnetic Adapter. With a pleasant magnetic click the Adapter turns the 6mm Hex Key into a ¼” socket drive which can fit any common ¼” driver bit. Included in the kit are the 6 most common Torx sizes, 2 Phillips Head and 2 Flat head Drivers. You can literally handle any modern bicycle fastener with the tools in the box.
Each HX-One kit is lovingly packed into a fully CNC machined box made from sustainable Beech Wood. Each box is hand sanded and finished before receiving the stainless steel SILCA shield on the lid.
“One of our goals with this lifetime set of tools was to have it be completely one-hand accessible (we’ve all been there..). The fine Beechwood Box uses a magnetic closure system and each tool rests in a CNC machined slot, held in place by a single elastomeric tab. Each tool fits into and out of it’s slot with a satisfying ‘click’ so that even when stretched one-handed from work stand to workbench, you can be confident in your placement.” Says Josh Portner, president of SILCA.
Ron is the chief cook and bottlewasher at Bike World News, doing everything from website design to bike reviews.
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