Stratco liner hand tools

woody 73 · Jan 25, 2017

This caught my eye today and I thought you might enjoy the story, Sherlock Holmes would be proud of all the hard work that went into all the web searching on this brand of tools not found on the AA web-site.

The company was started back in 1862 in Louisville, Ky. by Jacob Thome Jr. and later joined by W. A. Stratton and the name was known as Thome & Stratton.

In August 1883, Jacob Thome, Jr. died and in 1884 he was succeeded by Henry Terstegge.

In July 1913, Henry Terstegge died and he was succeeded by his son Wilton H. Terstegge.

The next part gets a little hazy but the company was a hardware wholesaler in Louisville, Ky. which later became S&T hardware and S&T Industries , unknown dates at this time.

The Stratton & Terstegge Co. Acquired the Bluegrass trademark from Belknap which became the do It Best Corporation, dates unknown at this time.

I hit pay dirt with the following little post from Hardware Age volume 198,Issues 1-2:

"Stratco liner tools Stratton & Terstegge Co. 16 & Main Louisville 1 Ky." , then I knew I was on the right track.

I hope you enjoy the links and the story along with the pictures of the wrench, just another great tool to keep your eyes out for in your tool hunting adventures.

http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/adjustable-wrench-stratco-liner-418201877

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1116747-old-felling-axe-question

http://digital.library.louisville.edu/cdm/ref/collection/schmidt/id/120

http://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/search/object/SILNMAHTL_23473

http://otools1.wkfinetools.com/hardware/Belknap/hist/bHistory1.asp

http://boards.ancestry.com/localities.northam.usa.states.kentucky.counties.jefferson/5262.1/mb.ashx

https://books.google.com/books?id=t...a=X&ei=7sRYUpqnOYm9iwKDq4CACA&ved=0CC0Q6AEwAA

https://books.google.com/books?id=Q...&sa=X&ei=z85YUtW_EeGDiQLS_oFo&ved=0CDoQ6AEwAQ

http://www.thehighlanderonline.com/print-articles/features/647-casting-a-line-to-the-past?start=2

four.cycle · Jan 26, 2017

Did you bring this to twertsy's attention?

Thanks woody!

1932 Belknap Hardware & Mfg. Co. Blue Grass Tools ad.jpg

I haven't looked at any of your links yet, but hopefully this might fill a hole:
HWI / Hardware Wholesalers Inc. / Do it Best Corp. (after 1998), Ft. Wayne, Indiana / (some manufactured by Thorsen)

woody 73 · Jan 26, 2017

Hi, I can send twertsy a pm I think he will be interested.

Strange how sometimes information can be off and then others can be mislead by mistake; if you read the very first link they start talking about a company in South Australia with the same name making plumbing supplies, I can see some confusion for other people reading that.

I did include a link to the Blue Grass in my post when I wrote the story, hope it helps some readers out; I hope you guys/gals like the story.

Strouty · Jan 27, 2017

Very cool, never seen one of those.

3baygarage · Jan 27, 2017

That's a neat one Woody. Never even heard of the brand. Do you suspect someone else made this wrench?

woody 73 · Jan 27, 2017

3baygarage said:
That's a neat one Woody. Never even heard of the brand. Do you suspect someone else made this wrench?

That is the million dollar question if only I had another brand in my hand to compare it with. I looked it over very closely and even the lettering has me stumped.

Searstech45680 · Jun 5, 2021

woody 73 said:
This caught my eye today and I thought you might enjoy the story, Sherlock Holmes would be proud of all the hard work that went into all the web searching on this brand of tools not found on the AA web-site.

The company was started back in 1862 in Louisville, Ky. by Jacob Thome Jr. and later joined by W. A. Stratton and the name was known as Thome & Stratton.

In August 1883, Jacob Thome, Jr. died and in 1884 he was succeeded by Henry Terstegge.

In July 1913, Henry Terstegge died and he was succeeded by his son Wilton H. Terstegge.

The next part gets a little hazy but the company was a hardware wholesaler in Louisville, Ky. which later became S&T hardware and S&T Industries , unknown dates at this time.

The Stratton & Terstegge Co. Acquired the Bluegrass trademark from Belknap which became the do It Best Corporation, dates unknown at this time.

I hit pay dirt with the following little post from Hardware Age volume 198,Issues 1-2:

"Stratco liner tools Stratton & Terstegge Co. 16 & Main Louisville 1 Ky." , then I knew I was on the right track.

I hope you enjoy the links and the story along with the pictures of the wrench, just another great tool to keep your eyes out for in your tool hunting adventures.

http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/adjustable-wrench-stratco-liner-418201877

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1116747-old-felling-axe-question

http://digital.library.louisville.edu/cdm/ref/collection/schmidt/id/120

http://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/search/object/SILNMAHTL_23473

http://otools1.wkfinetools.com/hardware/Belknap/hist/bHistory1.asp

http://boards.ancestry.com/localities.northam.usa.states.kentucky.counties.jefferson/5262.1/mb.ashx

https://books.google.com/books?id=ts8TAQAAMAAJ&q="stratco-liner"&dq="stratco-liner"&hl=en&sa=X&ei=7sRYUpqnOYm9iwKDq4CACA&ved=0CC0Q6AEwAA

https://books.google.com/books?id=QQIUAQAAMAAJ&q=S&T+hardware+louisville&dq=S&T+hardware+louisville&hl=en&sa=X&ei=z85YUtW_EeGDiQLS_oFo&ved=0CDoQ6AEwAQ

http://www.thehighlanderonline.com/print-articles/features/647-casting-a-line-to-the-past?start=2

Found this gem today at a second hand store for $3 knew nothing about it till i looked up your article, thank you because it would have drove me mad not knowing anything about it.