The Lugzsonian - A Virtual Tour

[Private Lugnutz]

I haven’t posted the Seymour Smith & Sons “Powr-Grip” before. I haven’t been able to find much information about it, except an ad in a 1950 edition of Hardware Age that implies it may fall under the same patent as the "Snap-Lock." It doesn’t have a release mechanism, whereas the “Snap-Lock” does, but there’s none shown in the ad, either. I found the "Powr-Kraft" like branding interesting.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

No idea on this lunker, which may not be very vintage.

 

[Cruzan80]

The Lever-Jaw and Gripso both look eerily similar to the Craftsman Circle I vise-grips I have...

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Finally, here is a Timeline I developed.



It’s not meant to be comprehensive and exhaustive. There are other examples out there. I already mentioned the Channellock “GripLock” for example. Another one I am always on the hunt for is the Kash Industries “K-VISE” (2,489,895, Nov 29, 1949). And I sure would love to have the Collison & Wright. As I find others, I will update this chart. For now, it’s just a handy way of organizing and seeing all the data on what I have in my collection and how it relates to others, including the Petersen line, in chronological format.

Note that as I alluded to earlier, DATAMP considers the Collison & Wright the first of a kind for locking plier-wrench type tools. Note further that Ord Mfg was in Ord, Nebraska, and Parrot Mfg was in Fremont, Nebraska. Ord and Fremont are in eastern Nebraska, not that far from DeWitt. I’m not saying that’s where William Petersen got his ideas. By the same token, it’s not at all out of the question, either. If Vise-Grips had been born in Pittsburgh or New England or L.A., I don’t think it would be remarkable. But the fact that the Collison & Wright locking plier-wrenches were being made in eastern Nebraska just a few short years before Vise-Grips very fairly begs the question.

Here's what they would look like!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Maybe I’ll put these in the Lugz box. The bolt isn’t original.

"Grip-All" is a new one on me, Don! And no worries on the make-shift bolt. My "Snap-Locks" have a bent nail replacement part!

The Lever-Jaw and Gripso both look eerily similar to the Craftsman Circle I vise-grips I have...

I'm not sure about the "Gripso," but the Harold Berger "Lever-Jaw" 1955 patent (see timeline on bottom), with examples made by METCOID, with no extra large acorn-shaped adjuster like the earlier Wm Truman versions, was definitely also used for the Craftsman "Easy Open" branded locking pliers. METCOID was probably the mfgr.

 

[Outlawmws]

Lugz, they are not highly vintage (70's at least) but the Channelock 910's are one of my favorite Locking grips.

 

[four.cycle]

 

[d42jeep]

Here are my Channellock 910s. I wasn’t all that impressed with them. Apparently the Barcalo pair should have had a tetanus shot.
-Don

 

[Outlawmws]

Don, see that little slide on the bottom bar? Unlock them and slide it all the way back, THEN try them...

That is the tension adjustment.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Lugz, they are not highly vintage (70's at least) but the Channelock 910's are one of my favorite Locking grips.

Aha. Thanks. BlueBomber's looked older. I was sort of ignoring anything after the 50s, but I would still snag them as a user.

Apparently the Barcalo pair should have had a tetanus shot.

Snerk.

 

[steaks&anvils]

I haven’t posted the Seymour Smith & Sons “Powr-Grip” before. I haven’t been able to find much information about it, except an ad in a 1950 edition of Hardware Age that implies it may fall under the same patent as the "Snap-Lock." It doesn’t have a release mechanism, whereas the “Snap-Lock” does, but there’s none shown in the ad, either. I found the "Powr-Kraft" like branding interesting.

I don't know if this will help you or if you already saw these two posts from the web?

Second one (from link in the first one) is about braces, but has company info at the bottom.

As with anything on from the web, take it as it is...

Very old Vise Grip Type pliers

Very old Vise Grip Type pliers

www.papawswrench.com

sydnassloot.com

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Thanks, S&A. I am aware of the company history. It's the difference between the Snap-Lock and Powr-Grip, if there is any, that is elusive.

 

[RTM]

Second one (from link in the first one) is about braces, but has company info at the bottom.

As with anything on from the web, take it as it is...

sydnassloot.com

sandy’s tools is a good link, you can trust his work, one of my references for braces.

He is also a great vendor, if you can run into him on the east coast, somewhere in the CT area. Have not chatted with him for a year or two.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Outlaw - I was able to trace the LockGrips to 1966 (earliest ad blitz in Pop Sci, Pop Mech, etc) even though the patents they cite for the spring, quick release, and handle collar date to 1950, 1951, and 1960.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Don - The patent (Eisenberg, 1951) on the Barcalo Lock-Jaws is for the quick release, and it's the same patent as the Channelock quick release. First time someone put one on the outside of the dynamic handle.

 

[Outlawmws]

Thx Lugz! I knew it was at least early to mid 70's as I bought mine new at a race track auction then.

 

[jeffmoss26]

Outlaw - I was able to trace the LockGrips to 1966 (earliest ad blitz in Pop Sci, Pop Mech, etc) even though the patents they cite for the spring, quick release, and handle collar date to 1950, 1951, and 1960.

Sweeeet

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Curator's Corner #8: Utility Knives

Utility knives, carpet knives, craft knives, safety knives, package cutters, box cutters, call them what you want. This is one of my quirkier collections. I wouldn’t call it a fetish. But when I see one in the wild that I don’t have, a unique design and/or a unique name, it’s coming home with me. As you can see, it doesn’t happen that often. Put it in the ‘Better Mousetrap’ category if you like, but something about them just appeals to me.

Just how many different ways are there to put a renewable utility blade in a holder, call it an innovation, and have the US Patent and Trademark Office agree with you?

If I live long enough, I may eventually find out, empirically.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

What inspired me to ‘go to the board’ with them today was finding two new specimens yesterday at the flea. The “(KUTTO)” and the “Lewis”.

The “(KUTTO)” – third from the top on the left in the group shot – was patented (2,187,590) in 1940 by August J. Lurie and made by his outfit, the Modern Specialties Company of Chicago. The “(KUTTO)” name was TM’ed in 1958, but Lurie and his company claimed first use in 1931, so he must’ve used it on an earlier knife.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

The one that resembles a kangaroo head – bottom on the right in the group shot – is the “Lewis”, made by the Flash Mfg Co. in Newark, NJ. I am surmising that the brand name comes from the first name of its inventor, Lewis Walters, who patented (2,376,887) it in 1945. It was not assigned to Flash, and if there’s a connection between them other than licensing (i.e., it was his company), I have not found it yet.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

The Bonney No. 199 – top left in the group shot – is identical to the classic Stanley No. 199 below it, first introduced as a “Fibre Board Cutter” in 1936. Those are the oldest utility knives I have. Probably because of their stylish, ornate looks, they’re popular with the types of YouTube guys (e.g., ScoutCrafter) who like to show off their power polishing skills. And if you enjoy worse mutilation, they even ran a contest a few years ago where their rabid followers were urged to customize their No. 199’s with grinding and outlandish paint schemes.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

The one below the No. 199 pairing on the left in the group shot is also a Modern Specialties Company product, called, rather bombastically, “THE UTILITY KNIFE”. It’s a little different in shape and appearance, but operates on the same principle as their “(KUTTO)”, and likely shares the same patent.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

The example on the top right in the group shot is a Red Devil JAK-KNIFE, patented (2,071,562) in 1937. This is the paint and glazing tools outfit and, despite the name, described for scraping as well as trimming.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

The ‘bent arrow’ is a Beno J. Gundlach No. 154. I have no idea how old it is, but they still make all kinds of much more modern tools, including carpet and linoleum knives, for the flooring trade.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I’ll end, uncharacteristically and unceremoniously, with this beater, because no discussion of this topic would be complete without it!

While all the others get the white glove treatment and rest in a high dry spot on the Utility Knife Shelf of Fame in the Lugzsonian, this is one of my users. They are innumerable. Like most of you I am guessing, they are so ubiquitous around my place that they seem to be capable of reproduction.

This is the utility knife we likely all grew up with. And believe it or not, some of mine might actually meet the vintage standard (today minus 50 years). The design for them – Patent 3,107,426 (1963), owned by Stanley at the time, certainly does.

 

[Outlawmws]

Cool line up Lugz! I have some of those, possibly some others as well.

I kind of like the newer folder box cutters, some of which have pocket knife bolsters and such, but be careful! - some of those use "orphan" blades.

 

[four.cycle]

Wow... I see you are intent on keeping me busy trying to keep the list up to date. Interesting collection there.

on the "Flash" unit above (post #460) you have "Flash Mfg. Co., Newark, NJ"

already on the list:

Flash / (Flash Sales Corp. see American Plierench) /
FLASHSLS / (Flash Sales Corp. see American Plierench) /

I am going to assume there is NO connection there, correct?

(* I know I said I'd probably take some time off, but a friend told me that immersing myself in some other distraction was probably the best course of action right now. BK *)

 

[Farmer J.]

Like most of you I am guessing, they are so ubiquitous around my place that they seem to be capable of reproduction.

Nice display Lugz.
I have only ever bought just one, about 50 years ago, and never needed any more. A Stanley 199 'Made in England'. I still use it.

I do confess, I recently had a look at the Snap On branded ones with retractable blades but they are 'made in china', so I quickly lost enthusiasm..

Recently there was a run of these knives in 3 different colours sold in aid of the Help For Heroes charity, I did go to buy one but they quickly sold out.

I see BBC news of storm Henri, hope it doesn't flood the Lugsonian.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

on the "Flash" unit above (post #460) you have "Flash Mfg. Co., Newark, NJ"

already on the list:

Flash / (Flash Sales Corp. see American Plierench) /
FLASHSLS / (Flash Sales Corp. see American Plierench) /

I am going to assume there is NO connection there, correct?

Nope. Just a koinkydink.

I see BBC news of storm Henri, hope it doesn't flood the Lugsonian.

Dry as a bone. This old house was built to last!

 

[tombell572]

I love how something as basic as utility knives can result in a fascinating collection. Its a tool I never took seriously until now. Heres mine that was bought by my father, cast iron probably mid 1950's.

Tom B.

 

[RTM]

Looks like 1941 - 57 was the era for the 1299, this was the only Defiance I found. Color red was standard in 1941

Stanley Combined Price Book : Stanley, Stanley Handyman, Russell Jennings, "Yankee", Stanley-Atha : List Prices March 11, 1957 : Stanley Tools Division : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

76 p., illus., 24.7 cm, trade catalog

archive.org

Stanley Tools : Catalogue No. 34 : August 1941 Edition : Stanley Tools Division : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

236 p., illus., 17.7 cm, trade catalog

archive.org

 

[tombell572]

Thanks for the info, RTM. I noted mid 50's because I would have been about 10-12 and wanting to "help" my dad with projects. That knife was one of the things I couldn't touch. May actually be a bit older as per your reference.

Tom B.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I love how something as basic as utility knives can result in a fascinating collection. Its a tool I never took seriously until now.

Thanks, Tom.

Heres mine that was bought by my father, cast iron probably mid 1950's.

Looks like 1941 - 57 was the era for the 1299, this was the only Defiance I found. Color red was standard in 1941

May actually be a bit older as per your reference.

I agree with RTM. In fact, there's a Stanley-published history pamphlet floating around that erroneously shows that perforated handle style when they're talking about introducing utility knives in 1936. It's misleading, because the No. 199 I have shown above was first. But my point is I think that could be earlier.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Calling all antique photography buffs! The Curator needs your help!

As first reported in the Garage Sale thread, I found this at the flea market this morning. It cleaned up really well. But I'm not sure what it is. Is it a dry plate? If so, is that the proper word for it? And from what era? And if not, what is it?

 

[Mintgrun]

I have a non-perforated 1299. Do you suppose it is earlier or later than the one above?





This is my go-to bench knife. The retracting style are easier to travel with, obviously, but it seems like I am always bumping the lever and letting them close accidentally. I like the solid feel of this one and the way the blade is held securely in place.

Tom

 

[Outlawmws]

Calling all antique photography buffs! The Curator needs your help!

As first reported in the Garage Sale thread, I found this at the flea market this morning. It cleaned up really well. But I'm not sure what it is. Is it a dry plate? If so, is that the proper word for it? And from what era? And if not, what is it?

Lugs I went to the "House Expert" (SWMBO) and that's a contact printer frame for negatives.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Lugs I went to the "House Expert" (SWMBO) adn that's a contact printer frame for negatives.

Thank the missus for me!!!! The wood, the construction, and the brass hinges and clasps are handsome.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

When I looked at it standing there at the flea, and figured out how it works, I immediately thought it would make a cool picture frame. And that's exactly what I have done with it. Especially for old photos. Here's my old man and his shipmates, for example. Those pressure clips really hold the soft material against the photo against the glass tight. Because it's so wide and boxy, it stands up on its own. And if guests pick it up and turn it around, it's also a historical artifact. Now I'm going to be actively on the lookout for more of them, but I wanted better terminology, so this is a big help. Please let her know how grateful I am.

I know it's not garage/tools related, but this might turn out to be my niftiest find of the year. I'm very pleased with myself and my dual-purposing idea.

 

[duddly]

Great re-use as a frame Lugz! I have to dig around a bit... that looks awfully familiar. I think I may have one or two.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I have a non-perforated 1299. Do you suppose it is earlier or later than the one above?

Good question. I wish I could help, but I didn't delve any later than 1936 on the Stanley.

Great re-use as a frame Lugz! I have to dig around a bit... that looks awfully familiar. I think I may have one or two.

Thanks. Maybe we can start a new trend/cottage industry.