Blackhawk tools!
My god! Where do you start!
My Grandfather worked on heavy goods vehicles in the U.K. from the 1920's right through to the 1950's! He loved tools (he'd have fitted in well here) particularly American tools, particularly Blackhawk!
Back then, a lot of work was done with ordinary wrenches, and to be fair, vehicle makers bore that in mind! But, a set of interchangeable socket wrenches was still a big advantage!
Such things had been made in the U.K. since victorian times, and the most prolific in the U.K. were the Britool range, but... although they used a 7/16 hex drive, the overall size of the tools was something like 3/8 drive today! Fine for fixing machines or cars, but not so good for trucks!
If you were serious, you got hold of some U.S. made tools in 1/2 inch drive!
I'm not sure if my Grandfather developed a liking for U.S. tools first, then sought out the Blackhawk, or got some Blackhawk, and then wanted a load more U.S. made tools! Either way, he was of the opinion that Blackhawk tools were the finest ever made. Two generations on and I've pretty much reached the same opinion!
Firstly, they were innovative. Much of what we take today to be the standard in socket wrenches was a Blackhawk innovation. In fact, there were many innovations that are sometimes hard to find now! The "lock on" socket for example, a sliding T with a detent half way, extensions with a free turning sleeve to grip, breaker bars that can be extended, speed braces with a free turning sleeve for both hands... Where do I stop?
Secondly, they were quality! The items in the picture that follow have all had about 30 years of serious daily use by my grandfather, 20 years of part time use by my father, and another 20 years of occasional use by myself! Only now am I starting to pension them off, and that's only because they are the nearest thing to an heirloom my family owns! The sockets are still good, as is the chrome plating! Awesome.
I got educated in the virtues of Blackhawk at an early age, and even then I could see it was superior to a lot of what was around! That's an influential age, and when I see the pictures of Blackhawk tools on this thread it's like coming home!
Even now, Blackhawk still turns up in the U.K. A couple of years back an old guy in my village told me he was clearing out some of his older stuff where he had "doubled up" and did I want any! There was an old box of Blackhawk amongst it that I had to force him to take £20 for! All A/F sizes, well used but still well usable!
Anyway, here are a few pictures I took for another thread!
I'll leave you all with this thought. Isn't it strange, that an old guy from a country a couple of thousand miles away, can develop loyalty to a product he takes to his grave. Yet, the managers responsible for that product, elect to trash the brand for a few short term bucks! Funny old world!
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