To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

Ben Hur Tools?

Project 2501

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 14, 2015
Messages
135
Location
Los Alamitos
Just found a 6" stillson pattern pipe wrench with an unfamiliar brand name thats apparently so esoteric that even garagejournal's search engine failed to shed any light on.
So what's the deal? Theres got to be at least a couple of you gear heads with some Ben Hur tools in your toolbox and maybe even one of you who knows a little history on them. Step on up, its your time to shine.
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

four.cycle

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 19, 2015
Messages
28,808
Location
Tacoma, Washington
GarageJournal.com's search engine would not have found it because it doesn't see anything with less than four characters.

"Ben Hur" was trademarked by Van Camp Hardware & Iron Co., Inc. in 1915 - claims first use June 1 1915

1939 Van Camp Hardware & Iron Co. catalog shows a "Ben Hur" branded pincers on page 182 (see attached)

1939 Van Camp Hardware & Iron Co. catalog shows "Ben Hur" branded squares on page 77 and 78 (see attached)

Ben Hur / private label brand sold by Van Camp Hardware & Iron Co. Inc., Indianapolis, IN / https://wrenchwiki.com/van-camp-hardware-indianapolis-indiana/ / http://www.vintagemachinery.org/mfgindex/detail.aspx?id=11465 / https://trademark.trademarkia.com/ben-hur-73079718.html / https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/ben-hur-tools.494747/ / /

Van Camp / Van Camp Hardware & Iron Co., Indianapolis, IN / est. 1876, incorporated 1893, acquired by Graystone 1967, Graystone dissolved 1977 / "Ben Hur" private label / https://thepatriotwoodworker.com/forums/topic/8597-van-camp-no2-hand-plane/ /

* and yes, there was a connection to the pork-and-beans Van Camp.
 

Attachments

  • 1939 Van Camp Hardware & Iron Co. catalog Crescent ad pp 182.jpg
    1939 Van Camp Hardware & Iron Co. catalog Crescent ad pp 182.jpg
    439.2 KB · Views: 26
  • 1939 Van Camp Hardware & Iron Co. catalog Stanley ad pp 77.jpg
    1939 Van Camp Hardware & Iron Co. catalog Stanley ad pp 77.jpg
    513.5 KB · Views: 26
  • 1939 Van Camp Hardware & Iron Co. catalog Stanley ad pp 78.jpg
    1939 Van Camp Hardware & Iron Co. catalog Stanley ad pp 78.jpg
    410.3 KB · Views: 25
  • Van Camp Hardware & Iron Co. Indianapolis 1906 (Bass Collection, Indiana Historical Society).jpg
    Van Camp Hardware & Iron Co. Indianapolis 1906 (Bass Collection, Indiana Historical Society).jpg
    156.5 KB · Views: 27
  • 1912 Van Camp Hardware & Iron Co. invoice.jpg
    1912 Van Camp Hardware & Iron Co. invoice.jpg
    119.5 KB · Views: 25
Last edited:

four.cycle

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 19, 2015
Messages
28,808
Location
Tacoma, Washington
Did anybody check out the little symbol used on extant examples of "Ben Hur" branded tools?
Ben Hur pipe wrench (kjcspencer).jpg
Van Camp Hardware & Iron Co. "Ben Hur" branded pipe wrench (photo kjcspencer)
Ben Hur screwdriver (d42jeep).jpg
Van Camp Hardware & Iron Co. "Ben Hur" branded screwdriver (photo d42jeep)
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

humber2

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 13, 2011
Messages
1,763
Location
Downunder
Looking on Google the tracks are no more and a new car park for Victory field takes its place.
 

Private Lugnutz

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 30, 2012
Messages
30,555
Location
The Authentic Jersey Shore
I did. I have literally put the hex sign (two index fingers together cruciformly in front of me in a warding off gesture...) and figuratively (get as far away from me, mentally, as possible...) on the whole topic of "THE ASTERISK". Not kidding! It's just not worth the misery. And I swear, the industry throws these things at the hobby just to mess with our heads. Oh, you thought you had this all figured out with your Pexto TM research, didn't you, Mister Smartypants. Well, here are some Vlchek DBE's and some SK DBE's and oh, to really put a kink in your cranium, two different Ben-Hur pipe wrenches! Six radii, eight radii, hey, who's counting? it's only a trademark at stake! :lol:
 

TalonFE

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 2, 2016
Messages
191
Location
New Mexico
How else do you expect to keep the wheels tight on your chariot? Knock-Offs hadn't been invented....
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
Top Bottom