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King **** tools history

C

Charles (in GA)

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I've always wondered where the British tool company "King ****" got its name. Well, on another forum, someone posted the web address for a a supplier of tools and hardware in Maryland, called Maryland Metrics.

http://www.mdmetric.com/

Well, in browsing down thru some of their links, and information, I found this web page....

http://mdmetric.com/prod/kingdick/info/history.htm

In it, I learned that the original name of the company was Abingdon Engineering, but after the company changed to a tool manufacturing company they needed a name and logo for the company, and King **** was chosen, being the name of the owner's show winning Bulldog.

Charles
 
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eschoendorff

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wrenchr said:
I would not buy any tools that are named Kingdick.
Click to expand...

Why not? I think they're amusing. At least they had a cool name. How interesting is MATCO? Yawn.....


It doesn't look like they make their own pliers, screwdrivers maybe. I think I need to buy one of their screwdrivers so that I can walk around with my KING **** in my hand. That would be cool....
 
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W

wrenchr

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Well "****" is not the coolest of names imo, And putting "King" in front of it does not help any.
 
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MAD

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I have a few King **** whitworth sockets. It's nice not having to engrave my name on them.;)
 
K

krusty the clown

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eschoendorff said:
Why not? I think they're amusing. At least they had a cool name. How interesting is MATCO? Yawn.....


It doesn't look like they make their own pliers, screwdrivers maybe. I think I need to buy one of their screwdrivers so that I can walk around with my KING **** in my hand. That would be cool....
Click to expand...

the MATCO name is interesting since it stands for Mac Allied Tool COmpany
 
OP
C

Charles (in GA)

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The prize winning bulldog, King **** was most likely named for King Richard the Lionhearted? I'm just guessing here.

All I can say here is, if you have your mind "in the gutter" then you won't want tools with that name on them. I understand they are actually fairly popular in the UK.

Charles
 
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ImportTuner

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Not sure you would want to brag/tell your buddies, your favorite tool is made by Kingdick ... they might get the wrong idea ...
 
R

russlaferrera

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And you would call your 3/8 breaker bar DICKY. 1/2 breaker bar BIG ****, 3/4 breaker bar SUPER ****. Not me. I have standards. (low but standards)
 
J

Junkman

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eschoendorff said:
Next thing we know you'll be asking for pics....:lol_hitti:lol_hitti:lol_hitti:lol_hitti:lol_hitti
Click to expand...


worthless.gif
:thumbup:
 
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M3Pilot

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I have a small,only about 3 inches long,King **** adjustable wrench. I think I got it from my Father. I'd always wondered about the name. Yes, I know how the 1st 2 sentences of this post sounds. It's nice to have a little bit of gratuitous vulgarity on this forum.
 
E

eschoendorff

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M3Pilot said:
I have a small,only about 3 inches long,King **** adjustable wrench. I think I got it from my Father. I'd always wondered about the name. Yes, I know how the 1st 2 sentences of this post sounds. It's nice to have a little bit of gratuitous vulgarity on this forum.
Click to expand...

Yes, yes it is... :thumbup:
 
T

Tzer

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While searching the name Abingdon King **** on the interne I came across this forum.
For those that would still be interested the name of the company as mentioned got its name from the owners (Thomas Mabbutt) prize winning Bulldog. To the best of what I know the origin of the name came from the dogs sire who's name was "King ****" but as the owner of AKD also wanted to name his bulldog King **** he chose instead to add the prefix "Abingdon" to it. Which was again, so I beleive is from where Thomas Mabbutt came from "Abingdon on Thames". I hope this clears up some of the discussion for forum members.
How I know any of this is because Thomas Mabbutt (d1907?), was my grandfather's grandfather. What little else I know is pretty vague as my grandfather died in 1965 when I was young and much of my info comes from elderly cousins in England & Australia although this cousin died a few years ago now, I live in New Zealand so very hard to do indepth research from here.
About all I have in the way if King **** tools is a small 6" adjustable wrench given to me by a friend and my father holds some documents from when Thomas Mabbutt retired from the company.
 
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Elroy

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Wonder if race driver **** Trickle has any King **** tools in his shop. Elroy has seen several over the years at various pawn shops but they were all beat to hell and not worth purchasing. When new they were probably nice tools.
 
J

jeep44

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michigan
I think I have one of their small adjustable wrenches in the extensive tool kit issued with my WW2 BSA M20 motorcycle. One of my British motorcycle magazines called that line of tools "The Queen's Pleasure":)
 
F

Frank Elson

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Lancashire, UK
I once started a story with "Yesterday I bent my King ****... " and then I spent ten minutes laughing before I could continue.

Most of my imperial spanners are King ****, sadly I use mostly metric these days.
We tend to like the name on this side of the pond.
 
T

tbstreet

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Feb 16, 2011
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Albion, Maine, USA
Hi! I'm presently researching the history of Thomas Mabbutt and his association with Abingdon Works Co. Ltd. (his company, which made King **** tools for some time). You say your dad has documents from TM's retirement, and that's a critical piece of data I'm missing. Just WHEN did TM retire? Thanks!
 
B

Bruce Lancaster

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Apr 3, 2006
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I think most of the ones you'll find in this country got here in the factory tool kits of 1950's and '60's Triumphs and Healeys.
 
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