Schick pipe wrench?

[n8n]

Anyone tell me what I got here? I apparently had a 25% discount so it cost me all of $3. It feels about half the weight of my aluminum Ridgid and the teeth look almost unused. Just because I've never held an 18" pipe wrench this light I couldn't resist.

Is it a real tool? Or too light for real work? Same company as the razor people or coincidence? It does say forged in USA.

 

[sk farmer]

i would pay you 5 times the marked price and think i stole it. it looks unused and an 18 inch to boot.

i have 12 or 14 inch around here someplace with a chipped jaw and a million more miles. i wish i could find a jaw.

 

[nadogail]

I bought my father a Schick wrench for Christmas in 1959, he really enjoyed handing it to unsuspecting people who were used to the steel wrenches.
to the best of my recollection the 18" Schick had the same jaw opening as the shorter Ridged.

 

[KnurledNut]

Is it a real tool? Or too light for real work? Same company as the razor people or coincidence? It does say forged in USA.

It’s very real.
They are extremely light but very strong and ready to work.
Not the same company as the razors.
Forged 7001 aluminum with dovetailed steel jaw inserts.
Great find at a superb price!

 

[RTM]

Large thread on the vintage forum started by @Private Lugnutz

Schick: Wrenches, Razors, Facts, & Fiction

Schick aluminum pipe wrenches pop up here on GJ from time to time, often accompanied by the claim, googled out of the uncorroborated, unchallenged fanciful ether of internet guesswork, that they were made by the razor company during WWII. Neither part of that myth is true. The name of the...

www.garagejournal.com

Lots of historical information.

 

[rust in the eye]

Nice score. A bargain a ten times the price.
NO cheater bars on these!

 

[n8n]

Thanks guys. Sounds like my spidey senses are still OK.

So now the question: should this go in the "too cool to use" box or no? It really is in nice shape, although I still don't have an idea of exact age.

 

[neophyte]

Thanks guys. Sounds like my spidey senses are still OK.

So now the question: should this go in the "too cool to use" box or no? It really is in nice shape, although I still don't have an idea of exact age.

One issue with the Schick wrenches is that the aluminum dynamic jaw may be more prone to bending and deformation than a steel jawed Ridgid aluminum wrench, or at least I’ve seen other Schick wrenches that appear to have a larger angle to the jaw spread than seemed original.
I suspect this may be one of the reasons these wrenches and this type of wrench production was eventually dropped.
I believe some older non-sparking wrenches were also made from or based on the Schick design, with the jaw faces and springs etc., using Beryllium Copper, and those are also no longer made.
I would presume for basic use the Schick wrenches are perfectly fine, but a certain percentage of pipe wrenches inevitably get pushed on too hard.

 

[rlitman]

Oh man. You totally ****! If ever you want to double your money, you can always count on me.

But yeah, absolutely use it. Just don't put a cheater on it or stand on it. The hook jaw is sufficiently stronger than your arm, so long as you don't add leverage.

 

[Death Row Dave]

Don’t add da cheater ! Home use with arm strength , good deal . I’m use to dealing with 48 in wrenches and tongs , so the aluminum was a sweet relief in weight issues .

 

[Rinspeed]

You ****!

 

[yatg]

At an estate sale earlier this year, saw the handle on a shelf. Great, another fooking pipe wrench. Moved it out of the way and realized what it was. After cleanup.

 

[KnurledNut]

Here's my 4 footer...



I carry 8 and 10" Schick aluminum adjustable wrenches (wormscrew and pin are AL-BR) in one of my tool backpacks since they are so lightweight.

For comparison:
Williams branded Bahco made in Sweden vs. Schick 10"...



Bahco Sweden (reverse thread) vs. Schick 8"...

 

[rlitman]

...I carry 8 and 10" Schick aluminum adjustable wrenches (wormscrew and pin are AL-BR) in one of my tool backpacks since they are so lightweight...

I have (IIRC) 6" and 8" Schick adjustables, but I've never been able to bring myself to using them, because I'm worried I'd trash the jaws. How are they working out for you?

 

[KnurledNut]

I have (IIRC) 6" and 8" Schick adjustables, but I've never been able to bring myself to using them, because I'm worried I'd trash the jaws. How are they working out for you?

I've reefed on them pretty good but won't hammer on them. I get something else if abuse is imminent. The movable jaws have more play than I'd prefer but that's kind of the nature of the beast and still functions as intended. The weight advantage for portability trumps the negatives.

I have a 12" but it's the heavier aluminum bronze version Schick made.