I've actually done some research on this very tool. I spoke to Gedore of North America (the owner/manufacturer of the Klann compressor), and I've spoken to ZDMak too as well as some other mechanics. Using a spring compressor is VERY dangerous as we all know. There is a lot of kinetic energy in one of those. ZDMak told me that the tool he sells is NOT made in Germany but IS a knock-off, he thought made in Taiwan but most definitely Asia.

Gedore North America has warned that (and they are well aware these identical-looking tools are out there) because of trademark/patent law, the Asian manufacturers cannot copy the tool exactly. They have to change something, however small it may be. What they did change in the case of this Klann tool is the integrity and some type of a safety feature (I've never looked closely at this Klann tool before, I do not own one). Gedore wrote me to beware of these copies from Asia and Hungary too - I guess that would be the SIR Tool equivalent since their tools are made in Hungary. They cut corners on the safety features/issues, that's the only corner the Asian maufacturers can cut. I don't know what those corners are but that's how they get around the patent. It LOOKS real good, but you cannot "see" what type of steel is used nor can you see the inside of the tool.

I'm told by others who have bought this copy that it is "identical" - that's on the outside of course, only what you can see. Of course the manufacturer was the one who told me that their product was better - it's also about $1000. I suppose I actually believe the sales rep. from Gedore. Mainly because we all know that China in particular is a country where their people are experts in forgery/counterfeiting of anything, tools included. I'm sure we've been duped at least once in our lives by a bogus product. I wouldn't take any chances with my life with a tool like that.