Why the hate for used "engraved" tools?

[benzoni]

I hate for some of the vintage wrenches I have to go homeless because of a few markings, they need a home too. The tools I buy are for my own use and enjoyment and not gonna be able to retire on selling unmarked tools. Probably be sold for pennies on the dollar one day when I check out.

 

[SASORacing]

it depends on how clean and nice the engraved logo is.

If its uniform and tiny/ small initialls such as DBM instead of a long name like Danny McAllister.

 

[Gmonkee]

There are workplaces that demand all tools are engraved with an id mark of some sort. This is to discourage theft and long term "borrowing" among the ones that bring and use tools.

I have 80 year old tools marked by previous owners, even managed to identify one of those marks as my ex-boss' grandfather's marks. He was an aviation/ag mechanic in his day.
The former narrow gauge RR of a century past plus the sugar mills we have here all have tools marked wth the area they are/were to be used. Its great local history and something to be proud of.

I am of the impression that most user marked tools are from dead or retired men that don't need them anymore. Resale value be damned, he used them for 30 years. They owe him nothing.

 

[benzoni]

There are workplaces that demand all tools are engraved with an id mark of some sort. This is to discourage theft and long term "borrowing" among the ones that bring and use tools.

I have 80 year old tools marked by previous owners, even managed to identify one of those marks as my ex-boss' grandfather's marks. He was an aviation/ag mechanic in his day.
The former narrow gauge RR of a century past plus the sugar mills we have here all have tools marked wth the area they are/were to be used. Its great local history and something to be proud of.

I am of the impression that most user marked tools are from dead or retired men that don't need them anymore. Resale value be damned, he used them for 30 years. They owe him nothing.

Its a part of history you can not only read about but hold in your hands and use.

 

[jjjrmx5]

Possible theft
Resale value
Warranty issues

Isn't that the whole ******* point of engraving a tool? To prevent or deter theft?

I know every company I have worked for and most folks who work on a big production or shop floor engrave their tools.


My tool crib engraves the company tools as soon at they come in.

NEVER had a warranty issue and neither r has the company.

As for resale value, most tools I buy or the company buys are for being used and making a profit or living on. Resale value 2 years, 5 years or when I;m dead never factor in.

Someone stealing your tools is a much higher price to pay than a couple of initials or a company log #.

And I;ve bought many used engraved hand tools from both my Mac and Snappy driver. Never saw warrantying them as an issue with the marks.

 

[Fedwrench]

I have no hate for engraved tools but, it's on a tool by tool basis. Some engravings are small, might buff out, or won't cause chrome peel. However, some people go overboard cutting deep notches or dots into the tool in a place where my hand will rub against them when using it. I skip over those.
To honest though, there are so many clean used tools available that I would probably buy engraved only if it was something I really needed, was rare, or at a super value.

 

[Davefr]

No hate, just lower value.

 

[unslow1]

Got a dewalt trim router with all kinds of bases for super cheap due to owner spraying them with blue paint. A hour with goof off and a rag...

I have a whole bunch of body shop tools I need to clean yellow off of. I inherited those and several with my Grandfather's, Great-Grandfather's and a cousin's names engraved.

 

[Ign]

EDIT: what's with all this "Engraved=stolen" .... just as easy as "Not Engraved=Stolen"

People engrave tools, then sell them. Then those people sell them, then you buy them one day. People who engrave don't take the tools to the grave or divorce court.

LOL. Reminds me of the arguments that you shouldn't sign your credit card because then someone can copy your signature. No wait, you shouldn't leave it blank because then the thief can sign it. (Not taking into consideration the "see ID" solution specific to cards).

 

[RedVise]

Personally I dont care, long as the tool does the same job.

Exactly, the nuts and bolts don't care either...


Brian

 

[Hpozzuoli]

I have 1 set of of Snap On radiator picks with someone's initials in them. They we repoed with a bunch of other stuff my snappy guy had just gotten. I was in the middle of a radiator transplant in my own Vette so I grabbed them while he was over.

I don't like seeing other people's names or initials on my tools. Worse yet is when dirt and grease settle into the initials and make them more appearent. I know cleaning fixes this, but sometimes I don't have the time.

Automotive folks do neat engraving. In the contractor world people grab a sharpie and write their first and last name as big as possible on the tool and case.

 

[canuckian]

I'd have no issue if the engraving held a sentimental value (ie. inherited tools). In fact, I'd prefer to see my relative's/friend's markings on a tool they used and is now mine. Acts as a nice reminder. As for random etchings of some guy's name/ssn or whatever on a tool that I'm paying money for, no thanks. I will pay the extra couple dollars for one without it. I know the fastener doesn't care but I do. Just personal preference, I guess.

 

[Cope]

I have a some sockets and wrenches with initials lightly engraved, and I have three Snap on screwdrivers with the previous owner's name professionally engraved or stamped on the handles. I'd prefer my initials, but the price was right. All of my older tools have my initials.

 

[rednotch]

Good chance its stolen.... picked up a box of sockets at a flea market, found a few snap on engraved UTI, you know someone pocketed them from the school.

 

[Lx460]

Good chance its stolen.... picked up a box of sockets at a flea market, found a few snap on engraved UTI, you know someone pocketed them from the school.

Did you return them?

 

[itsvegas]

Automotive folks do neat engraving. In the contractor world people grab a sharpie and write their first and last name as big as possible on the tool and case.

At least that will come right off with an alcohol wipe.

 

[Davefr]

Good chance its stolen....

I really doubt it.

I don't think engraved tools are any more likely to be stolen then unmarked tools. People get rid of tools for many reasons.

 

[unslow1]

I really doubt it.

I don't think engraved tools are any more likely to be stolen then unmarked tools. People get rid of tools for many reasons.

The way I figure it is no one lives forever and every engraved tool will change hands. I have some engraved tools that I am the fourth owner of in the last 15 years. I knew every one of the previous. They just get passed down or sold. It will happen to every tool. Some just have owner's marks.

 

[Higgins]

I really doubt it.

I don't think engraved tools are any more likely to be stolen then unmarked tools. People get rid of tools for many reasons.

I Agree!!!

I have a bunch of tools, socks, etc. that were engraved by the owners (all 7 of them)over the years.

I now have a little chart on my tool box with the persons initials/name, who the individual was, date, and how I came by the tools.

The majority of the tools were donated to me, by family members after their son, father, grandfather passed away. In many cases they were looking for a good home for them, otherwise they were going to be thrown out as the family members didn't know what to do with them!

Being an ole fart these days, this is just a little nostalgia for me, thinking of the individual, or the many projects we worked on together over the years!

AL

 

[Knuckle Buster]

Well, for starters, pre-owned vs. engraved are two very different things, right?













My $.02? Ask yourself what kind of items, in general and not just hand tools, that a person would be willing to own with someone else's name / initials on them in plain sight?

I can't speak for anyone else, but I wouldn't want to own coffee mug with someone else's name on it, or a hat, or a fancy pen, or a watch, or a set of steak knives, or anything else, for that matter. It's kind of hard to have any pride in ownership when someone else's name has been scrawled/burned/painted/punched into it. YMMV, and it's fine if they do, but that's just me.

I see what you are saying, but what should be done with a mans tools after he dies? Should the wife or next of kin scrap them for junk weight so nobody has to see his name ever again?

 

[Mechanical Noise]

I have some engraved tools. All old stuff. Don't think any of it is stolen, just gone on to someone who will keep using them.

 

[rusty65]

I prefer not to buy engraved tools but if its something I've been looking for I won't care one way or the other.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Davefr]

Being an ole fart these days, this is just a little nostalgia for me, thinking of the individual, or the many projects we worked on together over the years!

AL

I agree. I'm sure some of these old tools at estate and G-sales have a colorful history.

The engraving adds a touch of nostagia from some of our tool using brethren who are probably no longer with us. I think they'd be proud that some of their prized tools live on to keep fixing/creating/producing.

 

['52Chevy]

I did not see a response on this subject, but a lot of people have questioned how the engraving might affect warranty. I think the issue is not that a company will not warranty the tool if it is engraved, as much as it is that they may not want to warranty it if it is not your tool. I know I've heard a lot about Snap On not warrantying tools that weren't purchased through them. Just my thoughts.

I don't mind engraved tools if it's done nicely. I wouldn't mind a laser etching at all. All the tools at work are etched or engraved with a number and correspond to the box they came out of for tool control(aviation maintenance). I would love to ****** one of these boxes up after they are decommissioned.

 

[benzoni]

I Agree!!!

I have a bunch of tools, socks, etc. that were engraved by the owners (all 7 of them)over the years.

I now have a little chart on my tool box with the persons initials/name, who the individual was, date, and how I came by the tools.

The majority of the tools were donated to me, by family members after their son, father, grandfather passed away. In many cases they were looking for a good home for them, otherwise they were going to be thrown out as the family members didn't know what to do with them!

Being an ole fart these days, this is just a little nostalgia for me, thinking of the individual, or the many projects we worked on together over the years!

AL

Ok, socks are where I draw the line regardless of engraving.

 

[oldmachinenut]

This is exactly what I was thinking about the "stolen" comments. Might as well never buy used if you're that worried about it.

I find it interesting that some people won't clean "patina" off their used tools, but they'll refuse to buy engraved/marked tools.
To me, it's all part of the history of the piece. I take the rust off any used tool I pick up that has any. I only have a few pieces that are marked. And those pieces are old enough that it's interesting to think about who the person was and when/where they acquired and marked the tool. And as others said, it's a bargaining point for quality/interesting pieces.

+1, It is cool to hold my Starrett micrometer with "Leo" engraved on it and wonder who Leo was and what he made using my mic.

 

[JUNK-MAN]

When I buy a tool, even though its used its now mine not the previous owners, I just don't like other peoples names on my tools. If I have a name written on a tool its going to be mine it, some of the tools my dad gave me have his name on them but usually I can change it to mine(My dads 1st name is my middle name so I can put my name in front of it) but if I don't it doesn't bother me to have my dads name on tools.

 

[gatewaysysop]

I see what you are saying, but what should be done with a mans tools after he dies? Should the wife or next of kin scrap them for junk weight so nobody has to see his name ever again?

The obvious answer would be to sell them to the folks who don't mind the engraving / marks / initials / whatever. Pretty sure nobody said anything about engraved tools having no intrinsic or resale value. I said I wouldn't want to own them, but also said YMMV and that was just me.

 

[rednotch]

Did you return them?

didn't waste my time on it for a few sockets, did have a chuckle from it though. I know a few people who went to the school back in the early 2000's. Hell They should have given each student a basic snap on set for what they charged those kids.

 

[PugetDude]

Don't want to stick my fingers in a box and find another man's tool.

 

[pete379]

Or another spot

HA HA !!!!! that's exactly what I was thinking !

pete

 

[Cope]

Years ago I bought a used 1/2" extended shaft impact at a swap shop. When I got it home, I noticed it was engraved with the name of a shop owner my father in law used. I called the guy and told him I had bought his impact. He told me it had been stolen, was a good impact, but he didn't want it back.

 

[bluebolt]

I will buy engraved as long as the price reflects that.

 

[2mJps]

I wouldnt give as much for engraved tools. I dont think engraveing helps much and i know it didnt help in a rail road shop i worked in. Its a waste of time in todays world.

 

[Jim C.]

I generally avoid them for many of the reasons already stated above:

1. Don't want future claims that the tool was stolen.
2. Vintage tools are generally de-valued if they have any collector appeal.
3. My name and/or initials are never the ones that appear on the tool.
4. VERY often the engraving is just plain ugly and poorly applied to the tool. (see below)

Now who wouldn't want that nice looking mark on their ratchet?

 

[SignalZero]

I generally avoid them for many of the reasons already stated above:

1. Don't want future claims that the tool was stolen.
2. Vintage tools are generally de-valued if they have any collector appeal.
3. My name and/or initials are never the ones that appear on the tool.
4. VERY often the engraving is just plain ugly and poorly applied to the tool. (see below)

Now who wouldn't want that nice looking mark on their ratchet?

It's ugly. But I'd give that ratchet a good home. Just not for the same price as an unmarked one.

I'd rather have that ugly mark, than a rusted/discolored tool. When I go to the flea market, I see SO many tools that look like they were left out in the rain. Luckily, mostly cheap garbage tools.

 

[garfunkle24]

Tools are just that; tools. They are an object designed to complete a particular task. For me, that task isn't to look good, so I couldn't less if tools are engraved unless it creates a performance/comfort issue.

It's ridiculous to think that engraved tools are more likely to be stolen. It's probably the opposite in fact as a thief would rather steal something unmarked and indistinguishable than worry about someone seeing the tools who knew the original owner.

 

[Gmonkee]

It depends on your needs and wants. I have all the shiny new regular job tools I'll ever need by now. So what I buy generally is spotted for being rusty and old. I also seek out owner's marks in my quest to find old tools from the defunct railroad yard.

I collect ancient tools for fun now. So nice the 'need for work' list is all X'ed off now.

 

[erty67]

I prefer engraved tools. usually get them cheap...like disposable cheap.

 

[Bruce57]

I prefer not to own things with someone else's name on it. Especially if his name was ****.