Belknap Hardware & Mfg. Co.

woody 73 · Nov 16, 2014

Belknap started in Louisville, Kentucky in 1840 twenty years before the start of the Civil War;it was started by William Burke Belknap.

This is a story with a tragic ending, what lasted for some 144 years died in a few short years. The first link tells the history and the second link tells the quick death, be sure and have a box of Kleenex at your side.
This company survived the great depression it was never in any fiscal danger in all those many years, even up till the day it was sold.

They had several tiers of tools the first one is the highly recognized name of Bluegrass followed by pine knot, Crusader and Cyclone tools.

Other companies made their hand tools like Barcalo-Buffalo, Thorsen, Wright,& New Britain.

http://www.wkfinetools.com/hUS/hardw_Belknap/hist/bHistory1.asp

http://www.collectors-of-schrades-r.us/belknap/Death-of-Belknap.pdf

Enjoy the picture of this great company.

Tarheelgarage · Nov 16, 2014

I read the entire 11 page article, very sad story of incompetence and ignorance combined with a brutal top manager which brought the end to many a dream and paycheck.

Never heard of Belknap but remember an old handsaw that grandpaw had that had "Cyclone" embossed on the side.

bob from indiana · Nov 16, 2014

The independent hardware store near us sold Bluegrass tools when I was a boy in the 60s. They looked ok and shiny compared to Dad's old tools. when I began to buy tools I realized they were more expensive than Craftsman so I didn't buy many. Some of my friends has some bluegrass tools and they were good enough buy nothing special. Dad says there were a lot of jobs at Belknap hardware back in the day. We live about 30 minutes from Louisville. I remember when the old Belknap building was torn down for parking for Humana Corp.

RonnieC · Nov 16, 2014

I have a few Belknap Hardware-stamped pocket knives.

cm_osu · Sep 17, 2016

Picked up this axe at my grandparents the other day and the head fell off. Took a closer look at it and realized it was a Belknap, not too common around here. Took it home and went after it with some oil and steel wool. Cleaned up the handle a little and drove new wedges. Pretty happy to be able to save this one.

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woody 73 · Sep 17, 2016

Wow that axe is a thing of beauty good job very nice restoration! :rocker:

CRTDI · Sep 24, 2016

Bluegrass 1/4" set. I really don't know what was originally included in this set. The box and sockets appear to be New Britain sourced,
but the breaker bar and ratchet look similar to Wright. Perhaps different sources for earlier and later production eras.

woody 73 · Sep 24, 2016

Very nice set. :thumbup:

four.cycle · Nov 27, 2017

four.cycle · Nov 27, 2017

Htscheg · Nov 27, 2017

Cant wait to read that tonight after work!!!! Damn shame

four.cycle · Dec 10, 2018

woody this one's a dead link:
http://www.wkfinetools.com/hUS/hardw.../bHistory1.asp

here's another one - *.pdf file with color photos!:
http://www.hangoutstorage.com/banjo...rchived/files/belknap-history-54179132014.pdf

Unless member buddyCO1's information is incorrect, "Crusader" was one of the "house brands" of Belknap Hardware.
See second post in this old thread:
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=376004

If so, that answers my question about these "Crusader" tools:

1955 Belknap Hardware Co. catalog Crusader Tool ad pp 307.jpg

1955 Belknap Hardware Co. catalog Crusader Tool ad pp 308.jpg

Robinson1 · Dec 10, 2018

My grandpa framed houses from the 60s through the early 90s I can still see the Bluegrass Rocket hammer hanging from his belt. Good memories. Wonder what happened to that old hammer

TwoInch · Dec 11, 2018

Re: Belknap Hardware &amp; Mfg. Co.

Here is a beautiful 2.75lb (2.2) cruiser I've had for a couple years, but haven't corrected/restored yet. Someone thrashed it on a bench grinder, but it's still well salvageable. Still on a perfect old 27" haft, not sure if its original, no nails in the eye lol, and still tight. I've used it. Cruiser axes are pretty much the most sought after axes out there.. And a Bluegrass is a rare find. I was very happy to find this one, especially for the 6 or 8 bucks I paid for it!!

I have a couple other belknap bluegrass axes, a couple single bits, a jersey, etc.. And a couple files, and a ferriers rasp I think. Ill try to grab some pics if I can soon.

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TwoInch · Dec 11, 2018

Here's another double bit Bluegrass

3.25lb (3.2) 34" newer haft. Someone cleaned the head previously. Also thrashed on a bench grinder.... But plenty of steel to bring it back properly.

Most bluegrass axes have the middle missing in the imprint/stamp. Very common. This one you can make out the "ss" in the middle of the stamp.

Don't grind on axes!!!

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TwoInch · Dec 11, 2018

Re: Belknap Hardware & Mfg. Co.

Double post - ignore

Private Lugnutz · Mar 3, 2019

I picked up this 20 oz Belknap Bluegrass ball-pein hammer at the flea market today. The logo is either worn or it wasn't stamped squarely. Legible enough to identify, but the "BELKNAP is barely visible. The handle, which I am fairly certain is original, is interesting in its own right with a decent marking. Above the "FLAME SEAL" it reads "BP 16-20 HAMMER" referring to the head weights most suitable for the handle. Underneath it reads "14 IN MACHINIST". This is the first Belknap Bluegrass tool I have ever found in the wild and I was happy to come across it. It was in a box with a bunch of Craftsman hammers, and the vendor didn't know what it was.

woody 73 · Mar 3, 2019

Private way cool... :thumbup:

Three more hammers that I picked up, one has only a label, one has both the trade mark and the letters, and one just has the letters. With me being color blind you would think the handle color is a dead giveaway but I am never sure if I am seeing blue or green???

bob from indiana · Mar 3, 2019

I think they had a "John Primble" brand of pocket knives.

DD T/A · Mar 13, 2020

This pick was posted on an old truck forum, took a few minutes to dig and found they were selling Belknap tools.

Lesserstore · Apr 10, 2021

I came across this rusty hammer in a shed and took it to a wire wheel and it turned out to be a Blue Grass 47 16 oz. I was doing some refreshing on their history when I found this on TESS: https://tmsearch.uspto.gov/bin/showfield?f=doc&state=4810:moxj2o.2.1
A new company that registered the trademark less than 2 months ago for hammers and axes. Does anybody know more about this?

RTM · Apr 10, 2021

The link no worky due to session expiring. If you can grab it and do a screen grab....

Lesserstore · Apr 10, 2021

Here's a screenshot. When you search Blue Grass in TESS it's the first result.

RTM · Apr 10, 2021

Thanks. At least they are based in Kentucky on Belknap road.

Private Lugnutz · Apr 10, 2021

Another thread that should be moved to the vintage board.

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