Challenger tools question

[PowerGenGuy]

I was on a site the other day and noticed that on the pegboard was a selection of older Challenger Canada tools. There were sockets and ratchets and flex bars! Who made them and when? Was this a Proto tool? My guess is the tools have been on site since the late 60 to early 70's judging by the sites age and the age of the equipment on site.

 

[KEH]

Challenger was a cheaper Proto line of tools from about the time you guessed. I don't know about the Canada connection.

KEH

 

[Outlawmws]

Challenger also carried the same warranty, only you get Blackhawk as Challenger is discontinued as a brand name.

 

[Stuart in MN]

I have a set of Challenger combination wrenches I got for Christmas in about 1972, I still use them all the time. They were pretty good quality.

 

[rusty65]

This thread should answer most questions http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=99649 .

 

[jontar]

I have some some challenger wrenches, pre-proto, they have a knights helmet on them, very good wrenches, well made, a little rough on the finishing, then I also have proto canada (made in Canada) and Proto Canada (MFG in USA), excellent stuff, i would personally say better then the secondary blackhawk line today.

The proto stuff, made in Canada was made in London Ont, they look and feel close to the old gray 0 and 1 maple series stuff, but have a little better finishing, I'm always on the look out for more canadian made proto.

 

[jontar]

I think thats one of the sadiest things in Canadian history is when an American company comes in and buys out the Canadian outfit and the shuts them down little by little, just like beaver tools, I have an old beaver jointer and table saw, very well made, heavy duty cast iron, no cheap **** plastic parts, rockwell bought them up and eventually took all the manufacturing back to the states and then over to chine 40 yrs later, same goes for tractors, airplanes, hand tools etc

 

[PowerGenGuy]

Thanks rusty65, I just read that other thread. I find myself very curious about Challenger tools and Proto connection, I am going to keep my eyes open.