Couldn't resist. Sounds like a cover blurb from Motor Trend.
I needed a couple more 36" aluminum bar clamps for the collection, and bought two yesterday. My current collection of this type clamp is all Jorgenson's which I picked up for $5 each when the ShopSmith store closed a looong time ago.
While the Jorgies have served me well and will probably continue to do so for the duration, I always liked the looks of the Duluth, which are made in, well...Duluth.
The Duluth's have a slightly thicker wall thickness on the bar and are very stiff for this type clamp, maybe 1/64 difference, but it is there. Side note....Both are thicker than Rockler, forget the HF. Point Duluth.
The indents on the bar are closer together on the Duluth. For every 3 notches on the Jorgie, it's 4 on the Duluth. Point Duluth.
They both have Acme threads on the screws, but the Duluth are a finer thread. I would think you could tighten them a bit more, but wonder if that makes them a bit weaker? Same size screw. Draw.
The shoulder that the screw threads into wraps around the stationary bar on the Jorgie, not on the Duluth, but the threaded shoulder on the Duluth has 1 5/16 of threaded depth, while the Jorgie has 3/4" of threads. That loop on the Jorgie seems there mainly to allow a little foot to raise the bar above the table 1/4", while the Duluth has no feet. Draw?
The Jorgie has a sliding bar (like a vise) to tighten with, while the Duluth has a large cast in wing nut. The sliding bar is 3 5/16, and the wing nut is 3 1/2" with better purchase. Point Duluth.
The pads on the Jorgie are slightly taller and thicker, like 1/64" thicker. Point Jorgie.
This may vary for individual clamps, but the actual max opening on my Jorgie was 36 1/8", while the Duluth opening was 36 5/8". Point Duluth.
OK, on points the Duluth seems to be the winner, but we should take into account the fact that the Jorgie has been used for years with NO problems. The winning points were all fairly minor.
If I were in the market for new clamps I would go Duluth, and I will buy more as needed, but no way am I retiring the Jorgies for new ones. Mine are all older made in the USA models.
Footnote: I also have a dozen or so Rocklers, which were bought used. They are definitely in a less HD class, but there are also two things about them I really like. They have taller feet, and a nice crank shaped handle to tighten.
I also have a few 12"(?) HF models for small work, and that is all they are good for.
There you have it. I are now a revuer.
WAIT.........They are not Duluth clamps, they are Dubuque clamps. My bad. Another senior moment.