Lishi Brands Compared: Mr. Li, Original, and Genuine
Compare the three legitimate Lishi brand lines — Original Mr. Li, Original Lishi, and Genuine Lishi — and choose the right one for your workflow.
When you search for Lishi tools, you will quickly encounter three distinct brand names that all seem to refer to the same product: Original Mr. Li, Original Lishi, and Genuine Lishi. This is one of the most common sources of confusion for buyers new to the market. The short answer is that all three are legitimate — but they are not the same thing, and the differences matter depending on how and where you work.“Lishi” is not a single brand. It is a name synonymous with a design — the 2-in-1 pick and decoder concept pioneered by Mr. Li Zhiqin in the early 2000s. What you are choosing between is not genuine versus counterfeit (that is a separate issue entirely), but rather which factory’s interpretation and licensing arrangement best suits your needs.
Original Mr. Li tools are manufactured under Mr. Li Zhiqin’s direct supervision at his factory in Qinhuangdao, Hebei Province, China — the same facility where the original 2-in-1 design was developed. This is the most direct expression of the inventor’s specifications.How to identify them:
Stylized portrait of Mr. Li Zhiqin etched directly into the tool metal — not printed, not stickered, machined in
Orange scratch-off verification sticker on the back
What makes them distinctive:The feedback through the lifter arm is what professionals who have used Mr. Li’s tools for years consistently describe as “crisp.” The spring tension, the pivot response, and the wafer engagement all feel precise and deliberate. There is no play in the pointer — when it indicates a depth, that depth is accurate.Best for: Professionals who prioritize the most direct factory sourcing, and buyers who want to verify their tool against Mr. Li’s own authentication database.
Original Lishi — The internationally distributed factory line
Original Lishi tools also come from Mr. Li’s Qinhuangdao factory. The difference is not in manufacturing origin — it is in branding, distribution, and one key design innovation: the Anti-Glare finish.How to identify them:
Same stylized Mr. Li face logo etched into the metal body
What makes them distinctive:Original Lishi pioneered the Anti-Glare (AG) matte finish on the reading pane. If you have ever tried to read a decoding scale in bright afternoon sunlight or under a work light, you know how the standard polished surface can blind you with reflection at exactly the wrong moment. The AG finish eliminates that problem by creating a non-reflective matte surface on the grid. For technicians who work outdoors or in variable lighting, this is not a cosmetic preference — it is a functional improvement.Best for: 24/7 roadside technicians, outdoor workers in high-sun environments, and professionals who need reliable grid readability across all lighting conditions.
Genuine Lishi — The separately licensed international line
Genuine Lishi is a distinct brand associated with Tradelocks, a major UK locksmith supply distributor. These tools are not manufactured at Mr. Li’s Qinhuangdao factory — they are produced under a separate licensing arrangement and have a different history. Genuine Lishi worked closely with Mr. Li for years in bringing the tools to the international market, and represents a legitimate, quality-controlled product line.How to identify them:
Square “Genuine Lishi” logo engraved directly on the tool — this is the clearest visual distinction from the Mr. Li face logo on the other two lines
Serial number on the back for online registration and authenticity verification
What makes them distinctive:Genuine Lishi has introduced two notable product lines not found in the Mr. Li factory output:
Night Vision series: A luminescent coating on the decoding grid that glows in low-light conditions. For a technician arriving at a dark parking lot or roadside at 3 AM, being able to read the grid without a flashlight is a practical advantage.
T3 series: A premium “tough” line built for heavy daily use, with high-quality materials and a matte finish that reduces glare and increases durability under sustained professional workloads.
Genuine Lishi quality control is strong — a tool manufactured for the UK market is identical to one sold in the US. The global standardization is part of their value proposition.Best for: UK and European locksmiths (where Genuine Lishi has the deepest distribution), beginners who want the Night Vision feature for low-light learning, and professionals who prioritize the T3 durability line.
I want the most direct connection to the inventor's factory
Choose Original Mr. Li (Orange Label). These tools come directly from Mr. Li’s Qinhuangdao factory and verify on his own authentication site. If provenance and the “true original” designation matter to you, this is the line to buy.
I work outdoors in bright sunlight or variable lighting
Choose Original Lishi (Red Label) with the AG finish. The Anti-Glare matte surface on the reading pane is the difference between squinting at a reflection and reading a clear grid. For roadside technicians who cannot control their lighting environment, AG is the practical choice.
I work 24/7 roadside and need to read grids in the dark
Choose Genuine Lishi Night Vision series. The luminescent grid coating eliminates the need for a flashlight when reading bitting depths after a successful pick. This is the most practical tool for late-night callouts.
I'm a beginner and want the most learnable tool
Either Original Mr. Li or Original Lishi will serve you well as a first tool. For residential work, both lines offer SC1, SC4, and KW1. For automotive, start with HU101 or HU66 from either line. The Genuine Lishi Night Vision series is also beginner-friendly if low-light readability is a priority.
I'm in the UK or Europe
Genuine Lishi has the deepest distribution network in the UK and European market through Tradelocks. Availability, after-sales support, and warranty handling are all optimized for that region.
I run a shop and want the most durable tools for daily use
Consider Original Mr. Li for your highest-demand keyways (HU66, HU101, HON66) — the stainless steel construction and quality control on these tools make them long-lasting under heavy shop use. For durability-critical applications, also evaluate the Genuine Lishi T3 line.
All three brands — Original Mr. Li, Original Lishi, and Genuine Lishi — are legitimate products. The choice between them is a professional preference, not a quality risk. The risk of buying a counterfeit is separate from this choice entirely. Any tool without a verifiable authentication sticker and a logo matching the descriptions above is a clone, not one of these three legitimate lines.
The distinction between these three brands has its roots in a business split in the Lishi tool market. Originally, Mr. Li worked with a UK-based partner (UAP Limited) to bring his tools to the international market — which led to the Genuine Lishi line. After that relationship ended, “Original Lishi” became Mr. Li’s new international distribution partner, while Mr. Li also continued producing tools directly under his own name as Original Mr. Li.The practical result is that you now have three legitimate brands with different histories, logos, and distribution networks — all making genuine, high-quality tools. Understanding this history helps explain why the branding is confusing, and why two tools with different labels can both truthfully claim to be “original.”