5 years ago I learned about a brand called Spec Ops Tools, and I posted about their tape measures.
As far as I could tell, it was a new online marketplace brand with tools in black and military-type colors such as coyote brown and tan.
Spec Ops Tools says they donate a portion of the proceeds from each order to organizations that support veterans and first responders. They mention this in every product listing for every tool they sell, and on every platform I’ve seen.
They advertised that they develop “elite tools” with “failsafe craftsmanship” and “unmatched control.”
“Battle proof.” “Mil-spec standard.” “Tactical design.”
The tools feature “military-inspired design to stay true to our brand roots and our veteran employees.”
But are they made in the USA?
After my post about the tape measures, an unnamed marketing rep from the brand emailed me.
They said their tools were designed and engineered here, and produced in the USA and Asia.
At the time, I couldn’t find any of their tools that were USA-made.
In the same email, Spec Ops Tools said:
a priority for our team is to build additional capabilities and collaborations to manufacture new tools locally and transfer more of our existing production to the USA
I told them I wasn’t interested, but that I hoped they’d be eager to share more information once they launched their first USA-made tools.
That was back in early 2021, and I haven’t heard a peep from the brand until November 2025.
In November, Spec Ops Tools’ brand manager emailed me again, describing the brand as being “the fastest-growing in America.” They said they love my content and wanted to “send me some free tools.” There were no conditions, fine print, or obligations.
It was the peak holiday season and I told them I had zero space in my schedule to take on new test samples. I declined, and asked if we could talk more after the new year.
I still cannot find ANY Spec Ops branded tool that is advertised as being made in the USA.
They sell plenty of tools that could be made here. But are any of them manufactured in the USA? Has their goal of manufacturing tools here changed?
The initial email they sent me, as well as a FAQ on their website, claims that there is “a plan already in the works.”
In my response I also brought up what I was told in 2021, about how Spec Ops Tools said it was a priority for them to transfer more production to the USA.
I wrote: would you be able to comment on Spec Ops Tools’ progress towards this?
It’s been months. I never heard back.
Maybe it’s me. I regularly get offers from online marketplace tool brands for free tools, but they ghost me as soon as I start asking questions.
