Best approach to buying tools?

my favorite wrench was a craftsman 1/2-9/16 long box end combo. that thing fit about everything on a bike and the long handle (about 12") really made breaking bolts easy. I had a Kreauter (?) fine tooth ratchet I loved but it walked off one day. The smooth finish Pittsburgh line of HF are so much better than the rough INDIA crap you used to sell. Most of my stuff is mix and match but its always nice to have a complete set of 'spanners' in a graduated frame when your out there under the hood.