RIC-NOR CO.,INC. Boston,Mass.

[woody 73]

Apologies up front not much information to go on, no starting date, no ending date, even not sure about the which address came first? Not even sure about what products the company sold; Possible an Electric Supply House?

The only thing I have to go is the name of the President Mr. Richard B. Holmer location 10 Roland Street, Charles town, Ma. 02129. The other address I found on the web was 183 Fuller Street Brookline Street, Mass.

The tool I found was a wire stripper with their name on it, and looking at the web it seems they had a contract with the Providence Cutlery of Providence, RI. to produce electrician knives for their company.

I did find one Filing Date of November 1st, 1966 and the company age of 52 years, 4 months so that is something to go on.

Some pictures, lots of links to look at and if anyone has any information to add to the story please feel free to share it.

https://www.bizapedia.com/ma/ric-nor-co-inc.html

https://books.google.com/books?id=4...ved=0ahUKEwjb_7yEwY7hAhWlpYMKHUYfAVIQ6AEIKDAA

https://books.google.com/books?id=P...ved=0ahUKEwjqrOSBmo3hAhXGz4MKHc1iD9IQ6AEILDAB

https://books.google.com/books?id=X...ved=0ahUKEwixr4mIv47hAhUm2IMKHYBGCMQQ6AEIKDAA

https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/knife_forum/viewtopic.php?t=4341

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-RI...cal-Supply-Folding-Pocket-Knife-/392194330243

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/vintage-ric-nor-co-boston-usa-430494253

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/VINTAGE-RIC...O-SIGNAL-CORPS-BARLOW-KNIFE-OLD-/273766555137

https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/knife_forum/viewtopic.php?t=48458

https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/knife_forum/viewtopic.php?t=39506

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/vintage-ric-nor-electricians-barlow-437120080

https://www.etsy.com/listing/183921299/1958-ric-nor-electric-mate-pocket-knife

 

[woody 73]

Some more interesting results about the Ric-Nor Company, it would seem they never made any tools instead they had contracts for other companies to make the tools for them.

After more searching it turns out three years ago one of are members found a nut driver (something I hope he still has pictures would be super good for this post). Along with that old post a few more links and one link from August of 75 showing a picture of my wire cutters.

The Link:

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=345142&highlight=ric-+nutdrivers

I am thinking at this point in time they must have been selling electrical type tool supplies to the trade as they walked into their doors; and every type of tool they sold all came from other sources just stamped with their name on each tool.

 

[woody 73]

Apparently from my web searching the knives are very collectable:

https://www.appalachianaxeworksshop.com/listing/634016663/ric-nor-electricians-knife

 

[Sodapop]

Hey guys! Jumped in here I just found this web site actually while looking up old tools of mine. I have a tap and die set by RIC NOR Co. that I have zero info in yet, but thought you guys might like to see it. It's the first of it's age I've ever seen with a screwdriver style handle!!

 

[Sodapop]

I have gotten pretty good at finding info online for questions I have, but I have been searching for quite some time now for anything about the handles tap I have but nothing's turned up?? If you guys have or know anything about it that would be great!

 

[woody 73]

Sodapop if you could show us pictures of your tap & die set that would be great. Like I said before Ric-Nor had other companies place their name on tools; and from the looks of it they picked the cheapest brands out there at the time.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

What woody said, Sodapop. Post photos of the entire set. Are you saying that each size tap is permanently mounted in its own screwdriver type handle? I don't think I've ever seen a tap and die or any other kind of thread tool (i.e., thread chaser, cleaner, re-threader, etc) designed like that. Regardless of the type of handle, it usually takes multiple bits/taps.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

That is a screw driver handle style with three steps, each a different tap size. Looks like it would be handy for cleaning up threads or maybe cutting some in sheet stock.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I see what you mean, Otg. But it would only work in a through-hole, no?

 

[Oldtuleguy]

That or for cleaning up threads on nuts

 

[safariknut]

Although I grew up just outside of Boston I never heard of the Ric-Nor Co. until I got one of their knives.They aren't what you would call expensive knives but the steel seems to be good and they hold a decent edge.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

That or for cleaning up threads on nuts

Ah, yes.

 

[Provincial]

Electricians use the screwdriver-handled thread chasers for cleaning up the threads in connection boxes and similar situations. They were not designed to make threads in a plain hole, instead they were for saving a box or fitting that would take considrable time and effort to remove and replace.

 

[Sodapop]

Hey guys! Thanks so much for your replies! And not one person had some completely unrelated smart *** remark either, like "hey sodapop, forum users are more likely to respond provided your posts include proper punctuation and are separated into paragraphs"... So thanks so much! Sorry I have been dealing with forum trolls for so long I guess I'm a little bit jaded I really am a nice guy Lolol (end paragraph)
So were some of you guys wanting me to post pictures of the set? Or just some pics in general? I posted 2 pics of one of the handled taps last night with my words I wrote but I know how sometimes they don't show up right. And let me be more specific before this noob gets in trouble with you guys right off the plate, I don't know if the set I have is an actual "set" or not. With nothing to go off of, not even pictures on the internet it could be just some ole tools ya know? There are 6 taps and 4 dies in all, and both range in consecutive sizes from smallest to largest but that's not to say (if there is a set one used to be able to purchase) that there were other sizes smaller or larger then the ones I have. The size range does correspond to the traditionally more common sized fasteners (in my opinion) but what do I know I'm just a tile man? Hahah I will look for the collection tonight, thats what I'll call it until you all set me straight. My collection lol. I only have the one chaser out right now because I've been USING IT FOR YEARS haha and it's wicked helpful I gotta tell ya. I have had several relatives pass away in my adult life, and through this I've inherited some pretty interesting tools. A lot of stuff I have yet to identity as well. In my family tree I have had watch makers, jeweler's, electricians and a few drunks and I was always just sort of the one whom the old tools went to. No body else wanted them. (End paragraph)
So anyhoo I'ma look for the collection tonight, when/if I can find it amongst all this **** I will post some pics and hey guys, thanks again! Bye

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Pics are always good!

 

[Campgadget221]

Hey guys! Jumped in here I just found this web site actually while looking up old tools of mine. I have a tap and die set by RIC NOR Co. that I have zero info in yet, but thought you guys might like to see it. It's the first of it's age I've ever seen with a screwdriver style handle!!

Sodapop. Im not sure where you found those tap drivers. I have 2 of them different sizes. Maybe 35-40 years. And I’ve broke both the small ends. Wish I could buy replacements. Love them and use them regularly.
Just found this site. Looks fun.

Hey guys! Jumped in here I just found this web site actually while looking up old tools of mine. I have a tap and die set by RIC NOR Co. that I have zero info in yet, but thought you guys might like to see it. It's the first of it's age I've ever seen with a screwdriver style handle!!