Tools from the old world

[Nobody-named-Olli]

@InTheHighlands

What information are you looking for?

It’s basically a manufacturer that, outside the oem/ private label manufacturing/industrial/military complex, isn’t a common household name.

They supposedly acquired manufacturers like Tirem, Benscheidt and most recently Buco pullers ( https://buco.de/ ).

If you look at their catalog, you’ll find the typical German “mix and match” approach. NWS pliers branded as Padre, Screwdrivers from either HKR or Athlet - maybe both. (I have no idea who of them actually manufacturers what exactly. …) I’ve seen Löwe miter shears in their catalog. The screw extractors are the same Made in Germany product found with almost all the brands. Some of the hammers are most likely from OSCA (Italy) … .

It’s not a brand that you pull off a shelf at any of the big box stores around here or even at the smaller professional tool stores.

Kind regards,
Olli

 

[InTheHighlands]

@InTheHighlands

What information are you looking for?

It’s basically a manufacturer that, outside the oem/ private label manufacturing/industrial/military complex, isn’t a common household name.

They supposedly acquired manufacturers like Tirem, Benscheidt and most recently Buco pullers ( https://buco.de/ ).

If you look at their catalog, you’ll find the typical German “mix and match” approach. NWS pliers branded as Padre, Screwdrivers from either HKR or Athlet - maybe both. (I have no idea who of them actually manufacturers what exactly. …) I’ve seen Löwe miter shears in their catalog. The screw extractors are the same Made in Germany product found with almost all the brands. Some of the hammers are most likely from OSCA (Italy) … .

It’s not a brand that you pull off a shelf at any of the big box stores around here or even at the smaller professional tool stores.

Kind regards,
Olli

Thanks Olli - that's very helpful.

I was wondering if they might have been the manufacturer of Saltus socket sets in the past? I've got a v nice little 1/4" Saltus socket set where the pieces all have "Solingen Germany" stamped into the metal (not added as laser engraving) and was trying to pin down its origin - having read comments that Saltus bought in most items other than torque tools, but also comments that they made their own sockets. And comments that "Made in Germany" isn't always the same as "Germany" when it comes to true origin.

 

[Dave455]

Thanks Olli - that's very helpful.

I was wondering if they might have been the manufacturer of Saltus socket sets in the past? I've got a v nice little 1/4" Saltus socket set where the pieces all have "Solingen Germany" stamped into the metal (not added as laser engraving) and was trying to pin down its origin - having read comments that Saltus bought in most items other than torque tools, but also comments that they made their own sockets. And comments that "Made in Germany" isn't always the same as "Germany" when it comes to true origin.

As far as I’m aware Saltus manufactured most of their own wrenches etc. I have a fair number, and many of the patterns were unique to Saltus.

They were quite a big manufacturer in their day, and were certainly a forging company, so while things like screwdrivers and pliers (and ratcheting combination wrenches) were bought in (like so many) the important tools were not.

I have never seen their unique style of flex combination wrench from any other manufacturer.

 

[four.cycle]

@InTheHighlands -

List of Manufacturers and Brands of Mechanics Hand Tools

List of Manufacturers and Brands of Mechanics Hand Tools * For the most up-to-date version of this list, Please click HERE revised four.cycle Sun Jan 19 12:54:34 2025 PST U.S. Manufacturers and Brands are listed first. Brands and Manufacturers outside the U.S. are listed below alphabetically...

www.garagejournal.com

"Germany" manufacturers are listed right after "France" manufacturers.

 

[Nobody-named-Olli]

Thanks Olli - that's very helpful.

I was wondering if they might have been the manufacturer of Saltus socket sets in the past? I've got a v nice little 1/4" Saltus socket set where the pieces all have "Solingen Germany" stamped into the metal (not added as laser engraving) and was trying to pin down its origin - having read comments that Saltus bought in most items other than torque tools, but also comments that they made their own sockets. And comments that "Made in Germany" isn't always the same as "Germany" when it comes to true origin.

I can’t make that connection. I would think & agree with that Saltus made their sockets themselves.

On the Germany vs. Made in Germany issue. It depends. With reputable manufacturers I wouldn’t worry too much about it, it mostly comes back to size/ design relation which term is used. In the case of Solingen Germany, that carries more weight as it specifies a well known region for tools/knives and you can really only put it on something that has been made in that region/ city.


Kind regards,
Olli

 

[Nobody-named-Olli]

ABL Professional plugs and sockets. https://www.abl.de/en/





(Yes, the grommet on the socket needs revisioning, noticed that while cropping the pictures for this post.)

Edit: Grommet is OK. Just checked the extension & socket, it’s by design a longer grommet than on the plug. And it’s pushed farther out by the connector sleigh. Long time since I made the extension, so it was worth checking. But, A-OK.


IP54 when connected. LED to indicate live power. 2 component housing made from Elamid. High mechanical load capacity of up to 4 tons (metric). Made in Germany.

Kind regards,
Olli

 

[YesIHaveAHammer]

Knipex Summer update. Nothing really exciting, first minute gives a summary.

• Cobra ES (extra slim) new 180mm size and design refinements (at 17:00)
• New wire stripper and crimper variants for solar work
• Improved automatic wire strippers
• New pipe cutter variant

 

[Monte]

Bosch multi cutting wheel

 

[Monte]

 

[F-22]

I got an old Steinel. Didn't think much of it when I bought it, it was quite cheap and made in Moldova. But it is wonderful quality and holds up great. Later found out they are actually the brand to have when it comes to heat guns.

 

[Phang]

 

[Monte]

I got an old Steinel. Didn't think much of it when I bought it, it was quite cheap and made in Moldova. But it is wonderful quality and holds up great. Later found out they are actually the brand to have when it comes to heat guns.

it seems virtually every major brand resell Steinel guns under their brand...






Faber Castell compass




resell S

 

[Jeff]

 

[Steve_P]

Faber Castell compass

I am old enough to actually have one of these from drafting class! We did half-time on CAD and half-time on board drawings, since it was right at the transition to CAD.

 

[Monte]

I am old enough to actually have one of these from drafting class! We did half-time on CAD and half-time on board drawings, since it was right at the transition to CAD.

we used them at school ...not too long ago. I had a Rotring set. Math class i guess.





Shop equipment: another TechniSat radio



"Better made in germany"

 

[YesIHaveAHammer]

Who's good for kitchen scissors?

Fiskars
Victorinox

I appreciate Martor's innovations but their safety scissors most likely aren't suitable.

 

[Jeff]

Who's good for kitchen scissors?

Shun Multi-Purpose shears

 

[Nobody-named-Olli]

If you‘re asking specifically about “old world”, it doesn’t get more classic than Zwilling Kitchen Shears.

ZWILLING Küchenhilfe Vielzweckschere 20 cm, Edelstahl | ZWILLING.COM

ZWILLING Küchenhilfe Vielzweckschere kaufen ►Kostenlose Lieferung ab 49 € ✓ Hohe Qualität ✓ Direkt vom Hersteller kaufen ✓

www.zwilling.com

Kind regards,
Olli

 

[Nobody-named-Olli]

And if you‘re looking for something for the workshop, with scary sharp long edges and a certain heft to it: Look no further than the 10” NWS “Work Shears”.

Arbeitsschere

Robuste AusführungNachstellbares, verschraubtes GelenkGriffe lackiert

shop.nws-tools.de

Kind regards,
Olli

 

[timgunn1962]

Whiteley and Ernest Wright, both British companies, are still making very nice traditional scissors. Both list kitcen scissors.

 

[YesIHaveAHammer]

Shun Multi-Purpose shears

Thanks, not looking to spend that much!

If you‘re asking specifically about “old world”, it doesn’t get more classic than Zwilling Kitchen Shears.

Thanks, that one's not for me but they have some others that would suit.

I'd caught a glimpse of them on Amazon but "ZWILLING" kind of blended in with all the other made up Chinese brand names. However... Amazon reviews point out that their multi-purpose shears are actually made in China.

Whiteley and Ernest Wright, both British companies, are still making very nice traditional scissors. Both list kitcen scissors.

Thanks. Too much on the artisan/expensive side for me. I guess that's the only way they can stay in business.

 

[Nobody-named-Olli]

(…)


Thanks, that one's not for me but they have some others that would suit.

I'd caught a glimpse of them on Amazon but "ZWILLING" kind of blended in with all the other made up Chinese brand names. However... Amazon reviews point out that their multi-purpose shears are actually made in China.


(…)

If that is true that would be a) a damn shame and b) one more reason to quit buying from these former, glorious, Solingen brands. I haven’t checked in ages, because it’s not a brand that I use/buy, but I would have thought one of their flagship shears models would still be Made in Germany. There goes any and all of my hope out the window.

EDIT: I just re-checked the pictures on the Zwilling site, it’s clearly stamped Made in Germany in almost all pictures. That wouldn’t be, if it was not made in Germany. Not from that brand. But that doesn’t matter anyway, since you don’t like it - which I understand!

Kind regards,
Olli

 

[YesIHaveAHammer]

If that is true that would be a) a damn shame and b) one more reason to quit buying from these former, glorious, Solingen brands.

Some of the more mainstream products appear to have been moved into a "Twin L" range.

"Made in Germany" and "INOX" markings removed from blades. Model number slightly change, but unlikely that sellers will update their product information and photos.

 

[Nobody-named-Olli]

Oh, Ok. I thought it was about the shears I linked. I hadn’t looked at the rest.

Kind regards,
Olli

 

[Steve_P]

Who's good for kitchen scissors?

Fiskars
Victorinox

I appreciate Martor's innovations but their safety scissors most likely aren't suitable.

I've had a set of 2-piece Fiskars for ~10 years and they've been great. They're made in China, like most Fiskars stuff has been for years, but the quality is excellent, especially for the cost. I'm not cutting aluminum cans or trying to hack thru steak bones with them, just normal tasks.

A lot of the Henckels stuff today is made in China and even India.

 

[YesIHaveAHammer]

I've had a set of 2-piece Fiskars for ~10 years and they've been great. They're made in China, like most Fiskars stuff has been for years, but the quality is excellent, especially for the cost. I'm not cutting aluminum cans or trying to hack thru steak bones with them, just normal tasks.

Ordered the Fiskars below. Made in Finland, very reasonably priced.

I know the quality of made in China can be excellent, however I won't pay premium made in Europe prices for it (Zwilling!), and I'm loathe to support needless offshoring.

 

[Phang]

this pair is 25 years old, it is part of their Professional S set

I bought the set when I moved into my own house

although it is kept in the kitchen, we use it for almost every task in the house

no marking on the blades but the handle says Solingen Germany

 

[F-22]

I have Ernest Wright Turton. They are awesome and a work of art. Very sure thing in the hand. Also got the stork scissors as a gift to someone and they are also a beautiful piece of art with a wicked sharp edge.

I also have Finnish made Fiskars, brilliant scissors for the money. But be sure to get the Finnish made ones - there is a lot of Chinese production, especially for the US market and I would avoid those. Fiskars manufactures in Finland for 376 years, it is one of the oldest companies in the world. I really hope outsourcing is not the end of them.


This spring I ordered Whiteley kitchen shears for my mother in law. These look cooler than the Turton to me. She is really happy. However I think the Turton is more practical. But these definitely have the wow factor. And they are a bit more affordable. Also, they etched a name on them for quite cheap.

However if I wanted well priced kitchen scissors now and didn't already have all those nice ones - I would go to amazon.co.jp and order the Kai scissors. Japanese domestic market model, not the fixed ones normally sold in the US or Europe. In Japan it is very common for scissors to come apart. It makes it so much better for cleaning and sharpening. They make many beautiful models. I think this is a very good design idea, and I'm sure the Japan production makes it very precise and on pair with Fiskars quality.

 

[Reed Prince]

I bought a pair of Toribe Seisakusho KS-203 on Amazon.com six years ago and they are still as good as new. Price has bounced up and down since then but is back near what I paid, about $50. https://www.amazon.com/Toribe-Kitchen-Sputter-KS-203-Japan/dp/B001GU01BG/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[eas311]

Picked this set up for $14. Listed on Amazon as Knipex, but clearly the Witte 663862 set. Also sold at Haus of Tools for $21

 

[KnurledNut]

 

[F-22]

Sadly not made that rugged and I did not take it.

 

[esben57]

Nobody-named-Olli​

Any ideas on this flat ring spanner?
CHROM makes me think it's German, and the numbers perhaps an accessory item.

 

[Stubby1743]

That looks like my 6 x7mm Matra flat double ring spanner but with the makers name ground off and a part/stock number stamped on.

 

[Nobody-named-Olli]

Nobody-named-Olli​

Any ideas on this flat ring spanner?
CHROM makes me think it's German, and the numbers perhaps an accessory item.

Sorry, no idea. But @Stubby1743 seems to have a lead right there.

Kind regards,
Olli

 

[y20dth]

Well, regarding my previous post about the Hazet shop-light, I contacted Hazet Remscheid and the gentleman there noticed something obvious that I missed....

Anyways...They are fake.....

No worries, I didn't buy them ;-)

 

[f121]

I recently cleared out a box of old tools I inherited, I thought it just a few sockets in so was surprised to find some more interesting tools. Most of the tools were England or Germany, with a splash of USA, which is a good demonstration of where tools used to be made - these came from my grandfather’s shop who wouldn’t have spent a penny more than he needed to, he definitely wasn’t shopping by coo.

‘Mole’ grips - this is how people in the UK refer to vice grips - I hadn’t seen actual Mole branded ones before.

Vauxhall adjustable wrench (that’s clearly seen a lot of use) - anyone know if this would have been supplied as part of a toolkit with a Vauxhall car, or if it was an unrelated brand?

Record stilson - I’ve only seen record vices, hadn’t realised they also made these.

‘Nino’ wrench - not heard of this company before.



There was also a complete set of Bedford open ended wrench’s, and a couple of strange shape Britool wrench’s (1012 and 1074). Both of these are 11/16 af, I would guess the U shape is for access to a distributor or exhaust studs. I’m guessing my grandfather had a really bad day with these, to own two specialist wrench’s in the same size.




Any idea of ages of this lot?

 

[Stubby1743]

"Record" pipe wrenches are very common in the UK. I think that I have one in all the sizes made. I see good ones at car boot sales frequently. The same applies to "Mole" grips.

The stamped spanner is "Nubo" not Nino.

 

[Dave455]

I recently cleared out a box of old tools I inherited, I thought it just a few sockets in so was surprised to find some more interesting tools. Most of the tools were England or Germany, with a splash of USA, which is a good demonstration of where tools used to be made - these came from my grandfather’s shop who wouldn’t have spent a penny more than he needed to, he definitely wasn’t shopping by coo.

‘Mole’ grips - this is how people in the UK refer to vice grips - I hadn’t seen actual Mole branded ones before.

Vauxhall adjustable wrench (that’s clearly seen a lot of use) - anyone know if this would have been supplied as part of a toolkit with a Vauxhall car, or if it was an unrelated brand?

Record stilson - I’ve only seen record vices, hadn’t realised they also made these.

‘Nino’ wrench - not heard of this company before.



There was also a complete set of Bedford open ended wrench’s, and a couple of strange shape Britool wrench’s (1012 and 1074). Both of these are 11/16 af, I would guess the U shape is for access to a distributor or exhaust studs. I’m guessing my grandfather had a really bad day with these, to own two specialist wrench’s in the same size.




Any idea of ages of this lot?

The Mole grips are nice. I have some that my Dad bought in the 1960’s, and they are quite a highly polished chrome. Yours look like they might be the earlier, less polished finish. If so then they are slightly earlier than mine. 50’s?

Yes, I suspect the Vauxhall adjustable came with a vehicle tool kit. That style was quite common in such kits.

I think Record actually had the rights to manufacture Stillson pipe wrenches. The quality of these is quite high so they are worth cleaning up and using. Many imported ones are made from cheap castings, and the teeth deform, making them useless.

I have seen a few Nubo wrenches. Often these simple stamped things, and my suspicion is that a lot of these were supplied with toolkits also.

Traditionally, a lot of British goods were exported, so everything had to be supplied with the tools to assemble and maintain it, and a lot of these simple but sturdy tools were manufsctured.

The U shape Britool spanner was called a “Cylinder Head Nut Wrench” (note the American terminology). Quite a common tool, and they were supplied in tractor service sets as they are needed for removing the cylinder heads.

The part number of these (in 11/16) is generally B204. I’m not sure if the 1074 part number denotes a Ferguson tool, or some other contract. One of the two though.

Ditto the 1012 number on the other spanner. The “British Made “ rather than “Made in England“ denotes an older tool. Possibly pre “58 but I can’t be the exact date when they switched.

 

[esben57]

Well, regarding my previous post about the Hazet shop-light, I contacted Hazet Remscheid and the gentleman there noticed something obvious that I missed....

Anyways...They are fake.....

The E on Chrome.
Usually Chrom Vanadium.