Vintage X-Acto, Exactly, Exclusively!

[Provincial]

Like this:

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Any handle shaped like "an exact scale model of a Spitfire" would be cool. The fact that it's X-Acto and intended for modeling, just makes it cooler. Brilliant concept and design, and perfect, legendary, iconic choice.

Thanks for the legwork, 4.c and RTM.

 

[leg17]

I have been rummaging through my "collection" since this thread started and I finally put my hands on this. (It was right where I put it so I wouldn't lose it.)
I picked this up at a yard sale in the Kansas City area almost 30 years ago. The lady said her late husband was a salesman and he carried this to show his customers. I don't know if he was an Exacto rep or a mill supply salesman, but it is supposedly a 'salesman's sample'.
The couple of empty slots are not my doing. I resisted ever using any of this, so I don't know what is missing.

 

[El Bicho Malo]

Inherited this one from my gramps. Looks a little less complete and not as old as some of yours, but “this one is mine.”

 

[RTM]

Well, time to add a new find here. A Kennedy tool box I bought a few weeks back belonged to a guy who must have done lots of soldering, and liked X-Acto blades. I found dozens of soldering tips, and lots of blades. There was only one handle, the skinny size, but 3 tubes, one empty for the knife, one shown full of fret saw blades, and one full of soldering iron tips, not shown. The blade packages may all be the same, the blank back may have just been repacked incorrectly. The one out of the plastic sleeve was previously opened, and you can see the special VPI paper wrapping the blades.

Still trying to work down the age of the Kennedy box. As noted in a tool box slide thread over on the noisy General Tools side, it’s post 1942, and Grampa was probably 90 recently, if that gives anyone clues



I still need to find my wooden finger jointed box, had it a few weeks before Lugz started this thread.

edit: fixed communication deficiencies note below.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Inherited this one from my gramps. Looks a little less complete and not as old as some of yours, but “this one is mine.”

I missed this post earlier. Nice kit. And well said!

...but it is supposedly a 'salesman's sample'.

I missed yours, too! That is really cool.

Still trying to work down the age of the box. As noted in a tool box slide thread over on the noisy side, it’s post 1942, and Grampa was probably 90 recently, if that gives anyone clues

I don't know what "the noisy side" or the "tool box slide thread" is, and I'm not sure what box you're referring to when you say you're still trying to determine its age, but the X-Acto stuff you're showing above is no earlier than late 1940's.

One clue on the X-Acto tubes is the Registered TM symbol, which is NET 1946. Also, X-Acto registered their TM in 1943. V.P.I. was invented in 1942 but widespread commercial application did not really take off until the late 1940's and early 1950's. The color scheme on the tubes is the same as the cardboard blade boxes. The X-Acto logo on the tubes and the cardboard boxes is second generation. The earliest logo, as seen in all trade mag ads and on the boxes and packaging of their products (see my set in post #1) between 1941 and June 1945, was script. That is, the "acto" letters were connected, and the "o" had a thin break and flourish in it. In July 1945 they moved to the logo you can see on your blade boxes with the disconnected letters and no break and flourish in the "o". I don't have a timeline for the X-Acto mascot/symbol, but the earliest is much busier. The earliest period (1941-1945) mascot and logo and packaging all featured much more blue.

Here's a Pop Mech ad from 1942 (left) and late 1945 (right)

 

[RTM]

Noisy side = General Tool Forum
Tool Box Slide Thread = Recently bumped thread trying to work out dates of Kennedy

Box = Kennedy Box in that thread, not the X-Acto box, yet

Trying to figure out when the Kennedy box was bought, and when it was last used by its owner, and working to narrow that range through the components in the box. The X-Acto stuff, and a bunch of soldering stuff are my big clues, a war era Snap-on ratchet, etc, hoping to figure out early and late dates for each.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Got it. Well, as much as the X-Acto stuff can help, it's no earlier than 1945.

 

[beatcad]

I still have some X-acto knives that I bought new and used in high school over 30 years ago. My mom gave me this kit maybe 25 years ago. Said it was her dad's.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

That's a big set.

 

[rustyzman]

Nice Set!

 

[steaks&anvils]

That's a big set.

GJ is a family forum, I'll have to keep my first thought on that comment to myself...

 

[dannyk435]

Picked this set up at a garage sale today, any info on dating or anything would be appreciated!

 

[txlonghorn1989]

Just spotted this thread...cool! I've got an older set in a wooden box but no decal or emblem. Plastic inlays inside that hold the blades and handles. Not sure how old. Will post pics next week as I'll be visiting my mom to celebrate her 85 years on this little blue marble.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

any info on dating or anything would be appreciated!

Late 1940's. No way to know more precisely without the decals present.

Plastic inlays inside that hold the blades and handles. Not sure how old.

It was all wood with a black steel bar holding the blades in the lid in the 40's, Tex. I haven't tried dating any of the later sets.

Will post pics next week as I'll be visiting my mom to celebrate her 85 years on this little blue marble.

Nice. I have a 94. She's still got hers (marbles, that is,) but they are getting a little hazy.

 

[dannyk435]

Any idea about the value of the set pictured above?

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Not really. Despite the enthusiasm you see here for these sets as collectibles, it doesn't really translate into value, especially without a decal. Someone may buy it for utility, but there are other, newer options. So, no, not really. You could try doing an Advanced Search on eBay. If you're not familiar it will be a hyperlink just to the right of the regular search bar. Click the "SOLD" listings box, because listing and selling, and listing and selling prices, are two different things. Put "vintage" in the search string. If any vintage X-Acto sets have sold, it will show them and their selling price.

 

[Monchichi3232]

Hello everyone,

I'm new here. I am here because I love my X-Acto knives and was wondering if anyone could help find out if my set has been found before. I have not found one like mine so far. Although it looks like those from the 70s. It has a magnetic bar that you could use to put the blades upon. I also have a box of No.2 assortment blades, but I can't figure out what blades go in it. It doesn't seem like it's for the #2 but like a bunch of different ones in one box. I want to know because I'm particular about what goes where. Plus I want to know if I have the original ones that go with this refill box.

I have been trying to find ways to save what I have. So far I lost 4 #11's, 1 #28, and I can't be sure but it looks like 2 versions of #19??
I did buy a set of #2s and #11s today

Thank you in advance!

By the way you all have posted some amazing stuff here.

 

[four.cycle]

very nice set.
welcome to the site!

 

[dannyk435]

Not really. Despite the enthusiasm you see here for these sets as collectibles, it doesn't really translate into value, especially without a decal. Someone may buy it for utility, but there are other, newer options. So, no, not really. You could try doing an Advanced Search on eBay. If you're not familiar it will be a hyperlink just to the right of the regular search bar. Click the "SOLD" listings box, because listing and selling, and listing and selling prices, are two different things. Put "vintage" in the search string. If any vintage X-Acto sets have sold, it will show them and their selling price.

Thanks for all the help! And yeah the enthusiasm is pretty cool to see. Will definitely be on the lookout for more stuff like this!

 

[Monchichi3232]

very nice set.
welcome to the site!

Thank you!

 

[Burgerboy]

Hello everyone,

I just joined this group, and it's great. I've been collecting and using X-Acto since the late 60's. My first set was a 84 set with sliding plastic top. I have a 88 set, they called the "Fourty-Niner", which they introduced in 1949 at a price of $25. Would probably be $200 in today's money. It is a very nice set, and highly portable. It was made with most of X-Acto's most popular tools. I have some photos of it.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

the "Fourty-Niner",

Wow, you really struck gold with that set! Seriously, I am guessing there are forty-nine pieces? That is a huge set. I love the case and the carry handle. Very nice. Glad you shared. And welcome to GJ!

 

[Burgerboy]

Wow, you really struck gold with that set! Seriously, I am guessing there are forty-nine pieces? That is a huge set. I love the case and the carry handle. Very nice. Glad you shared. And welcome to GJ!

Thanks, Lugnutz for the welcome! You guys are a treasure trove of information. I am very interested in the historical aspects of X-acto.
Some of their early tools were actually marked "Doniger", named for the founder of X-Acto. I have a jeweler's saw that came with my early 85 set that is marked in this way, along with "Italy".

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Some of their early tools were actually marked "Doniger", named for the founder of X-Acto. I have a jeweler's saw that came with my early 85 set that is marked in this way, along with "Italy".

Very intriguing. Although I'm not sure where the "Italy" COO comes from. Doniger was a Polish immigrant. Unless he was outsourcing things from Italy.

 

[Burgerboy]

Very intriguing. Although I'm not sure where the "Italy" COO comes from. Doniger was a Polish immigrant. Unless he was outsourcing things from Italy.

Yes, I believe they outsourced to Europe for some things. I have a #1 handle marked "England", I've seen some X-Acto precision pliers marked "Sweden." According to my research, the later tools when Hunt Manufacturing took over were made in Taiwan, such as the sanding block, some of the blades, the coping saw, and the mahogany chests. Hunt Manufacturing (of Statesville, NC) had been making some of the blades for X-Acto for some time, then they eventually bought the company, and ran it from about 1988 to 1991. The two-tone blue, and gray logo was used during this time.

 

[Burgerboy]

Actually I meant to say Hunt Mfr. ran X-Acto from approximately 1981 to 1991. Interestingly, in 1962, Hunt Mfr. also merged with Speedball (the maker of linoleum cutters, that look very much like X-Acto gouges.) I often wondered if Speedball actually made the carving bits for X-Acto; they look very much the same to me.

 

[Moldyjim]

Hello everyone,

I just joined this group, and it's great. I've been collecting and using X-Acto since the late 60's. My first set was a 84 set with sliding plastic top. I have a 88 set, they called the "Fourty-Niner", which they introduced in 1949 at a price of $25. Would probably be $200 in today's money. It is a very nice set, and highly portable. It was made with most of X-Acto's most popular tools. I have some photos of it.

That is very cool! I picked up one of those boxes at a garage sale, unfortunately it was empty. Even the drawer is missing. Interesting they used the same plastic handle on the knives, the hammer and jig saw. Nice touch!
Thanks for the pics, now I know what to look for. Currently I have my wood carving tools in it. Many many wood carving tools...

 

[four.cycle]

Very nice stuff, Burgerboy, and thanks for the additional information.
Welcome to the site!

 

[Burgerboy]

Very nice stuff, Burgerboy, and thanks for the additional information.
Welcome to the site!

Thanks!

 

[Burgerboy]

Here is a vintage X-Acto ad for the the #99 "Tool Master" set in 1943 starring Bob Hope. Apparently he enjoyed building wood model airplanes with his son. It shows a different side of Bob Hope that most of us never knew. This was the largest set that X-Acto offered at the time. It's the big brother to my #88 set I previously posted.

 

[RTM]

Dang, that sucker looks huge. @Burgerboy , how big is your chest, guessing about 2' opened by ~16" tall?

 

[Moldyjim]

I know technically not an E-xacto knife set. But I thought this one could sneak in. Just for the variety of course

Hello everyone,

I just joined this group, and it's great. I've been collecting and using X-Acto since the late 60's. My first set was a 84 set with sliding plastic top. I have a 88 set, they called the "Fourty-Niner", which they introduced in 1949 at a price of $25. Would probably be $200 in today's money. It is a very nice set, and highly portable. It was made with most of X-Acto's most popular tools. I have some photos of it.

Could you post a pic of the little drawer? I might try to make one to fit my empty box.

 

[Burgerboy]

Dang, that sucker looks huge. @Burgerboy , how big is your chest, guessing about 2' opened by ~16" tall?

My set, the #88 is 14" high by 10" wide, ( about 20" wide when open, and 3.5" deep.

The" Bob Hope" #89 Tool Master set is 13" wide by 19" high by 5.5" deep.
.
Interestingly it was advertised as "the answer to the handicrafter's prayers".

I wonder if other Hollywood stars advertised X-Acto products? John Wayne, Yul Brynner?

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I wonder if other Hollywood stars advertised X-Acto products? John Wayne,

"You may think you're pretty sharp, Pilgrim, but you ain't got nothin' on my X-Acto knife."

Yul Brynner?

"I always 'Whistle a Happy Tune' when I'm whittling away with my X-Acto knives - and when I can't find my razor, I even shave my scalp with them!"

 

[Burgerboy]

I know technically not an E-xacto knife set. But I thought this one could sneak in. Just for the variety of course

Could you post a pic of the little drawer? I might try to make one to fit my empty box.

Here are some photos of the drawer for the 88 chest. The dimensions are: 9 3/16" wide, 1 3/4" deep, 1 1/2" high. Good luck!

 

[Moldyjim]

Oops, forgot to add the link to the sneaker.
Thanks for the dimensions and pics.

 

[Burgerboy]

Oops, forgot to add the link to the sneaker.
Thanks for the dimensions and pics.

Here is a photo of a set sure to make X-acto users salivate. It was called the 99 Super Set. It was sold for only a couple of years.
It cost about $300 in today's dollars. Extremely rare.

 

[Burgerboy]

This is the # 88n "Hobby Den" set. It sold for $25 in 1961. These sets were sold from the 1950's through the early 70's, and was one of X-Acto's most popular sets. It has an "blueprint" outline of the tools on a fiberboard back board. It can be hung up on a wall via 2 holes in the back, or just freestanding on a bench up against a wall. It has a nice clear acrylic sliding door to protect everything inside.

 

[four.cycle]

excellent stuff, Burgerboy.