Man of Many Vices
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 23, 2012
- Messages
- 366
Thank you all for your kindness and support during the recent Oldest Klein Pliers Contest. It was this forum that first brought the contest to my attention in early March. I got caught up in the frenzy as Garage Journal members described their own searches in toolboxes, workshops, basements and attics to locate the oldest pair of Klein pliers.
After surrendering my pair of 1904 lineman pliers to Chairman Mathias A. Klein III yesterday I thought about each you who searched, but did not enter, or who entered, but did not win.
Bob Armstrong of Bowling Green, KY, submitted the second oldest pair from 1906, which had been in his family since 1941. Gerald Schumacher, from Wausa, NE, now age 89, has owned the same pair of Klein pliers since 1958. I hope Bob and Gerald are members of this forum, as their Klein pliers stories are far more compelling than mine. Their pliers deserve a prominent position in the Klein Tools Museum.
Brody Tonelletti, age 13, from Circleville, Ohio, is already a seasoned vintage tool treasure hunter. He was the youngest contestant who scrounged up a pair from 1958. To Brody I say: You keep searching on your side of the Mississippi River and I'll search on mine. One of us is bound to uncover a pair of Klein pliers made before 1904.
For the rest of you guys, my tour of the forging plant just outside Chicago was was the most valuable prize of all. It is here where all manner of Klein tools are shaped from red hot ingots, finely finished, sharpened and heat treated. I hope each of you who cares about fine quality American made tools has a chance to visit a plant of this caliber. Your confidence in American know-how will be invigorated.
The Klein Family's commitment and passion to its products, employees, and customers was evident everywhere I looked. Fifth and sixth generation "M. Klein" family members Mark (vice president), and the incredibly cute and energetic Megan (electronic media production) have moved up into positions of greater responsibility. Klein Tools will be in capable hands for decades to come.
Bless you all,
Dan Schmidt
Indio, CA
Man of Many Vises
After surrendering my pair of 1904 lineman pliers to Chairman Mathias A. Klein III yesterday I thought about each you who searched, but did not enter, or who entered, but did not win.
Bob Armstrong of Bowling Green, KY, submitted the second oldest pair from 1906, which had been in his family since 1941. Gerald Schumacher, from Wausa, NE, now age 89, has owned the same pair of Klein pliers since 1958. I hope Bob and Gerald are members of this forum, as their Klein pliers stories are far more compelling than mine. Their pliers deserve a prominent position in the Klein Tools Museum.
Brody Tonelletti, age 13, from Circleville, Ohio, is already a seasoned vintage tool treasure hunter. He was the youngest contestant who scrounged up a pair from 1958. To Brody I say: You keep searching on your side of the Mississippi River and I'll search on mine. One of us is bound to uncover a pair of Klein pliers made before 1904.
For the rest of you guys, my tour of the forging plant just outside Chicago was was the most valuable prize of all. It is here where all manner of Klein tools are shaped from red hot ingots, finely finished, sharpened and heat treated. I hope each of you who cares about fine quality American made tools has a chance to visit a plant of this caliber. Your confidence in American know-how will be invigorated.
The Klein Family's commitment and passion to its products, employees, and customers was evident everywhere I looked. Fifth and sixth generation "M. Klein" family members Mark (vice president), and the incredibly cute and energetic Megan (electronic media production) have moved up into positions of greater responsibility. Klein Tools will be in capable hands for decades to come.
Bless you all,
Dan Schmidt
Indio, CA
Man of Many Vises
