Challenger Tools

[moronmountain]

So I got an almost complete 3/8" drive socket kit in it's original metal case from a sale the other day on the cheap. I can't find anything about Challenger, and was wondering if anyone had any info? I don't really need it, but it was too cool to pass up for the price.

 

[wrenchr]

Made by proto thru the 60's I think.

 

[wrenchr]

http://home.comcast.net/~alloy-artifacts/proto-empire.html

 

[Stuart in MN]

Challenger was around through at least the early 1970s, I still have a set of Challenger combination wrenches I got for Christmas in about 1971. They don't have as nice a finish as some other brands but they're good quality tools.

 

[wafrederick]

My father has a 3/4 drive Challenger set at work,he paid $500.00 for it at the time used.Break a Proto Challenger tool,you get a Blackhawk tool for a replacement.No longer made.

 

[BuckHenry]

Callenger is great stuff IMO.

 

[lbgradwell]

Always, always, ALWAYS post photos!!!!

I believe the origin of the Challenger name goes back to 1940 when certain Plomb socket sets were "introduced" as "Challenger" sets, though the tools themselves were still marked Plomb.

I'm not sure when the Challenger name started appearing on tools themselves, but it was certainly by 1951. They were "Fine Quality Tools at Popular Prices" - a "value"-line.

Challenger tools were also produced in Canada in the Proto plant in London, Ontario.

Challenger was one of the brands specifically mentioned when Stanley was busted for making false claims of USA production in the FTC complaint of 1999.

Stanley-Proto told a member here that production of the Challenger brand ended ~ 1998...

 

[rickhigginshtbr]

There were also Penen's Challenger too... Plomb/Proto bought Penen's corp so basically the same.

 

[basspro]

I like the few Challenger/Penen's tools that I have, love using them daily.

 

[tyheuser]

I was at a swap meet 1 day and there was a table full of $1 tools and there was a pile of china **** ratchets that are the round head style ratchets and there was a proto challenger mixed with them and had a some crude and rust in it. I pulled it apart cleaned everything really good and lubed it and it works excellent! Its enjoyable to use and every bit as smooth as a dual 80 or RHFT craftsman and the fact that I paid $1 for it makes it even better!

 

[nine4gmc]

So I got an almost complete 3/8" drive socket kit in it's original metal case from a sale the other day on the cheap. I can't find anything about Challenger, and was wondering if anyone had any info? I don't really need it, but it was too cool to pass up for the price.

I run into Challenger ever so often, post the ones you are missing and I'll check my Proto box for you.

 

[moronmountain]

I run into Challenger ever so often, post the ones you are missing and I'll check my Proto box for you.

So I am missing two 1/4" drive sockets, 5/16 and 3/8. Also, the 5/8 and 7/8 sockets in 3/8" drive are broken.

 

[moronmountain]

Here is a pic of the inside of the case.

 

[GIJoe4500]

Shoot me a PM so I have a reminder to check, but I probably have the sockets you are missing. Also, take a close up of the stamping on the sockets, and I could probably even match that, to complete your "set".

 

[Hootbro]

My recollection of Challenger back in the day is that it was a 2nd tier value brand mainly sold in auto parts and hardware stores.

 

[dandan111]

I have some challenger wrenches. I like the finish, even though they aren't top brand they are some of my favorites.

 

[moronmountain]

Close up pic of socket.

 

[lbgradwell]

What you've got there is a "Warrior" set from ~1964.

You actually seem to be missing a few pieces, as it started like this:

In addition to the missing & broken sockets, the spinner handle wasn't a flex; you want model 1063.

And I don't believe the 6" extension (it should be in 3/8"-drive, btw, not 1/4"-drive) or the ratchet are even Challenger tools at all. You need models 1266 & 1260 respectively...

 

[moronmountain]

Yeah, you are deffinately right on the money there. I don't know if I'm hell bent on getting it EXACTLY right, but I would like the sockets to be correct at least. I'm not opposed to getting it the way it should be, but I'm not going to stress over it. I'm not an old tool collector per se, but I just think it's a cool little kit. Thanks for the info!

 

[stormking]

Hey LG, Mind if I nab a copy of that AD? Very nice artwork.

 

[Conductor562]

LBG pretty much gave the info on Challenger. They were Proto's budget brand but after Stanley acquired National Hand Tool in 86 they started favoring the Blackhawk line until they eventually phased Challenger out entirely. I would've guessed Challenger died in the very late 80's or very early 90's, but if Stanley says 1998 then it was 1998.

They still honor the Challenger warranty as well. They will send you a Blackhawk replacement.

 

[lbgradwell]

Hey LG, Mind if I nab a copy of that AD? Very nice artwork.

Please do!

 

[lbgradwell]

They were Proto's budget brand but after Stanley acquired National Hand Tool in 86 they started favoring the Blackhawk line until they eventually phased Challenger out entirely. I would've guessed Challenger died in the very late 80's or very early 90's, but if Stanley says 1998 then it was 1998.

Was there actually any overlap between the availability of Challenger and the ("re-introduced") Blackhawk? That is, were the two lines available simultaneously?

I would have guessed Challenger went away in the late 80s/early 90s too and was surprised to read 1998...

 

[Conductor562]

I'm honestly not sure LB. I stopped by a local tool shop a little bit ago and asked a fellow that's been running it since the late 60's. He seems to think the only overlap was in availability rather than production. He said he could get Challenger and Blackhawk at the same time at one point, but he believes it was more a case of the Challenger stock being sold off rather than still being produced. I don't have any direct knowledge or evidence to confirm or deny that, but it certainly sounds plausable.

I've got some connections with Proto. Next time I talk to him I'll see if I can confirm this.

 

[lbgradwell]

He seems to think the only overlap was in availability rather than production. He said he could get Challenger and Blackhawk at the same time at one point, but he believes it was more a case of the Challenger stock being sold off rather than still being produced.

This is what I would have expected. It would make no sense to have two such lines...

 

[lbgradwell]

And this is what makes me think the Challenger name originated with Plomb...

1940:

 

[Conductor562]

Do you do much Proto research LB?

 

[BuckHenry]

Well now you've gone and confused me, LG. I thought Challenger replaced Fleet as Proto's value line, but your post indicates that Challenger was a Proto line at least as early as 1940. How exactly did Fleet fit into things. Challenger and Fleet were the same tools right down to the part numbers at least in some cases (e.g., I have two Fleet 1260 ratchets).

Were they regional brands?

 

[Conductor562]

Well now you've gone and confused me, LG. I thought Challenger replaced Fleet as Proto's value line, but your post indicates that Challenger was a Proto line at least as early as 1940. How exactly did Fleet fit into things. Challenger and Fleet were the same tools right down to the part numbers at least in some cases (e.g., I have two Fleet 1260 ratchets).

Were they regional brands?

We're getting a little north of my expertise here, but Fleet and Challenger were produced simotaniously for years. Fleet didn't pop up until 1947 but I have no damn clue when Challenger came about. It was likely acquired in the buying spree in the 40's, but I can't be sure of that. I suspicion that because Fleet was created under Pendelton ownership and produced by the Penens division which they didnt aquire until 1942. It seems unlikely Pendleton would have created 2 completely new economy lines when the already had so many names, but with all those brands under their flag it's really hard to say. They obviously had a reason, I just don't know what the hell it is.

 

[ChevyEFI]

anyone need a 1/4 drive 1/2 12pt Challenger socket, lemme know.

 

[RM209]

Challenger is a great line of tools; good quality, and was reasonably priced. I've got a fair amount, and use them regularly. Not fancy, but a good line of tools.

RM209

 

[young_buck]

I have a handful of 12 point 3/4" drive challenger sockets that were handed down to me from my grandfather, I use them on a regular basis (Heavy Equipment Tech.) and they hold up better than other brands I have used and they are made in the USA which makes them even better.

I believe the ones I have were made near the end of the challenger line as most of them are marked as Stanley Challenger

 

[lbgradwell]

Do you do much Proto research LB?

Not really; no more than any other brand...

 

[lbgradwell]

Were they regional brands?

That's a possible explanation, but I don't really know.

Conductor562 is right, though, when he says that Fleet & Challenger were produced simultaneously for many years.

You can add Vlchek to the mix too - at least towards the end - and Penens & P&C for that matter.

 

[Conductor562]

I think Challenger was made later than some people here are guessing.

I've seen challenger wrenches that had off-corner engagement and are identical to the some of the Blackhawk wrenches they currently sell.

I really have no idea when Challenger debuted. AA references catalogs as early as 1951.

 

[lbgradwell]

I think SMKS means they were made more recently than some recollections.

Stanley themselves say 1998 was the end of the Challenger brand - and I'm not in a position to dispute that!

It would make sense that late Challenger designs would be the same as some Blackhawk as they essentially just stamped a new (old) name on the tools...

 

[SMKS]

I think SMKS means they were made more recently than some recollections.

Stanley themselves say 1998 was the end of the Challenger brand - and I'm not in a position to dispute that!

It would make sense that late Challenger designs would be the same as some Blackhawk as they essentially just stamped a new (old) name on the tools...

Yup, I meant they were made more recently than some people in this thread are saying.

The wrenches I saw can be purchased under the Blackhawk brand and used to be branded Stanley when they still sold some USA tools under the Stanley brand. Give me a few minutes to see if I can find a pic of the style I'm referring to.

Here's the style I'm referring to. This isn't a great pic, unfortunately.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001HWLFZO/?tag=atomicindus08-20

They're just a basic, USA made combo wrench.

 

[BuckHenry]

They're just a basic, USA made combo wrench.

Yes, basic, but very nice IMO. They fit my hands very well. I have them stamped Blackhawk, Challenger, and Challenger/Proto.

 

[Conductor562]

Makes sense. The "TorquePlus" off corner design first appeared in 1994. If Challenger died in 1998 there would undoubtedly be some floating around. The ASD open end didn't turn up until 2001 though.

 

[lowbucktruck]

Really neat to see the artwork and ad for Challenger socket sets! Here is my set that I picked up at an estate sale early this year, looks to be complete.