Another great story! 👏 I really enjoy these informational videos. I love Bonney tools. I picked up a bunch from a fly by night military surplus store in the early 2000s, and still have them. I grew up seeing and using so many Diamond tools with my father always having their plies and adjustables. And I still have those too. 👍
Thanks! I only have a couple Diamond pliers. Want to track down an adjustable wrench at some point. The full video on Diamond will be dropping sometime next month.
I have a pair of Diamond adjustable wrenches. The smaller 8'' one has to be from the 30's or 40's from my Grandfathers tool box from his textile mills days . The larger 14'' one I bought new off my local Snap On Dealer in the 80's . Other than size they are exactly the same tool I remember asking the Snap On dealer why it was a Diamond and not a Blue Point or Snap On and he said it's all the same because they were all made in the same place ,
The old Swedish made Bahco adjustables are the best. Snap-on owns Bahco today. They moved production to Spain as far as I can tell. They may be as good as they ever were. But I've never used new production tools so I can't say.
Back in the '50s before I could read, I had a variety of Utica pliers and wire cutters. Later when I could read, I discovered the name of those pliers.The name, Utica is one of the first words I could read. Now, I know why I cannot see the brand available anymore.
@philsanalogbasement They would have to be from the Cooper era, as Cooper also owned Erem. That adds to the story, as I couldn't find any tools other than the torque wrenches after the Cooper buyout.
Diamond tool and horseshoe is another company I have wondered the history on, never saw anything other than adjustable wrenches with their name, but I assume at one time they made horse shoes as well
I got a few pairs of Utica pliers from my grandfater after he passed. They're definitely "period correct" and maybe not as objectively good as more modern pliers but I still like using them. Especially when I'm working on older cars or equipment. It's a cool connection to the past using those pliers to work on something like a tiller from the 50's.
I heard this rumor in the 70's, from a John Deere dealer, that the John Deere branded tools were made by Utica. Cat mechanics tools were built by whatever tool company gave them the best deal. I really loved the older Cat tool boxes, they were kind of a beige color with rounded corners, great bush boxes.
I kind of collect Utica pliers when I see them. I have a few. I was in the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers union too. The IAM. Strike!
@@ballinator for a while they made Bell System's tools for them. I have a few needle nose pliers marked Bell System and Utica. I have a linesman's made by Utica too. There's no Bell marking on it though.
@@branned Thorsen out of Oakland California if remember correctly. There is a discussion thread on ,I believe, practical machinest Maybe Garage Journal. It’s been at least eight years since I read the thread. My one Thorsen wrench has plating issues. That has lead to my not having the greatest opinion of that manufacturer. What is interesting is the same people are involved in all three companies
@@gotsloco1810 I do run into Thorsen hand tools at estate/garage sales. The Proto-Los Angeles is amazing in that the long name location is always spelled out on each hand tool (kind of cool).
It seems strangely interesting that there have been so many mergers, closings, buyouts, consolidations, bankruptcies, etc. of the American made tool companies over the decades. Also, tool brands seem unusual in that many of them started with only very limited lines of products, such as an adjustable wrench or pliers.
Since nobody else has yet to say it, I guess I will. Dude, YOU HAVE TO glom onto that three-horned Black Bull as the rightful logo for the Ballinator channel!!!
@@ballinator I actually have a history biography book about the Vlchek company from when started as a youngster in Europe before ending up in Cleveland a unique book for sure
If you want to go on a wild ride, follow the chain of ownership for each of the semiconductor manufacturing facilities (fabs) in the United States... Or any country really... For example, pick a factory from Vermont or upstate new York and go from there.
The quality of their steel seems to be exceptional. I love their vintage pliers
Agreed! I have an adjustable wrench of theirs that's ridiculously solid. Not an ounce of flex.
Really miss the Bonney tool line great tools
My 1/2" deep impact standard sockets are Bonney brand. They're OK. They do what I need them to do.
@ They shined on the Chrome side with the patented Loc-Rite drive which was before S-O had the stolen flank drive
This is a first class American History channel. I love the depth of the content. And the humor tops it off. Your work is appreciated.
Thanks so much! Glad you're enjoying the content.
Another great story! 👏 I really enjoy these informational videos. I love Bonney tools. I picked up a bunch from a fly by night military surplus store in the early 2000s, and still have them.
I grew up seeing and using so many Diamond tools with my father always having their plies and adjustables. And I still have those too. 👍
Thanks! I only have a couple Diamond pliers. Want to track down an adjustable wrench at some point. The full video on Diamond will be dropping sometime next month.
Intrigue, betrayal, ups, downs. This is better than anything on Netflix
Thanks! I did not expect to find all that stuff when I started researching.
Back in the 70s these were the best cutting pliers in the electronic industry. Still have some that I value.
Appreciate you, these lore videos a lot very interesting to me. I started collecting old usa tools recently. Going to watch now, thank you.
Thanks! Glad you're enjoying the series.
The Umbrella reference is hilarious. LOL!
Thanks! I try to sneak references like that in the videos sometimes.
I love the history lesson thank you
You're welcome!
Another great video, thanks for sharing looking forward to the next video 👍👍
Thanks 👍
I want those Black Bull Three Horned Staple Pullers
When I go to estate/garage sales I run into these brands all the time👍👍 Excellent Video
Thanks!
I have a pair of Diamond adjustable wrenches. The smaller 8'' one has to be from the 30's or 40's from my Grandfathers tool box from his textile mills days . The larger 14'' one I bought new off my local Snap On Dealer in the 80's . Other than size they are exactly the same tool I remember asking the Snap On dealer why it was a Diamond and not a Blue Point or Snap On and he said it's all the same because they were all made in the same place ,
Interesting.
DIAMOND!
Do diamond tool.
I’ve owned a few of these.
Pliers are a staple in my toolbox.
Great job on Utica tools, in this video.
Thanks, man. Diamond tools is on the list. Probably next month.
Utica adjustable wrenches are some of the best you will ever find.
Been meaning to track one down to compare to my other wrenches. Haven't found one yet.
The old Swedish made Bahco adjustables are the best. Snap-on owns Bahco today. They moved production to Spain as far as I can tell. They may be as good as they ever were. But I've never used new production tools so I can't say.
Manufacturing over 2000 pliers a day with serious business back in 1908!!!!! 😮😮😮 🚂
Back in the '50s before I could read, I had a variety of Utica pliers and wire cutters. Later when I could read, I discovered the name of those pliers.The name, Utica is one of the first words I could read. Now, I know why I cannot see the brand available anymore.
Very cool!
I’m curious about their connection to Erem. I have a few pliers “Utica Swiss, Erem”. I love my Erem cutters and pliers
@philsanalogbasement They would have to be from the Cooper era, as Cooper also owned Erem. That adds to the story, as I couldn't find any tools other than the torque wrenches after the Cooper buyout.
Diamond tool and horseshoe is another company I have wondered the history on, never saw anything other than adjustable wrenches with their name, but I assume at one time they made horse shoes as well
They actually made horseshoes all the way up to the Triangle acquisition in the '80's. They're on my list to do a future video on.
I got a few pairs of Utica pliers from my grandfater after he passed. They're definitely "period correct" and maybe not as objectively good as more modern pliers but I still like using them. Especially when I'm working on older cars or equipment. It's a cool connection to the past using those pliers to work on something like a tiller from the 50's.
I do that too sometimes. If I'm working on a piece of older equipment, use older tools.
Check back with us when the new pliers are 50 years old.
I heard this rumor in the 70's, from a John Deere dealer, that the John Deere branded tools were made by Utica.
Cat mechanics tools were built by whatever tool company gave them the best deal.
I really loved the older Cat tool boxes, they were kind of a beige color with rounded corners, great bush boxes.
Interesting. Not a connection I came across, but highly possible.
Really. Well, I'm from Utica, and I've never heard anyone use the phrase "steamed hams. "
"check out the set on that bull" Though, I hear often
It's an Albany thing...
10-4 Seymour!🤣
Had no idea Anderson Cooper was involved with Cooper tools😂😂
Seriously… great video👍
Thanks! Yeah I try to hide little jokes in these videos here and there.
I kind of collect Utica pliers when I see them. I have a few. I was in the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers union too. The IAM. Strike!
Very cool. I hardly see the Utica pliers around here. Been keeping an eye out for them.
@@ballinator for a while they made Bell System's tools for them. I have a few needle nose pliers marked Bell System and Utica. I have a linesman's made by Utica too. There's no Bell marking on it though.
Please do P&C Tools from Oregon. Sold to Proto.
Added to the list.
@@ballinator I think only Proto Los Angeles and P&C (Oregon) were from the West.
@@branned
Thorsen out of Oakland California if remember correctly.
There is a discussion thread on ,I believe, practical machinest Maybe Garage Journal. It’s been at least eight years since I read the thread.
My one Thorsen wrench has plating issues. That has lead to my not having the greatest opinion of that manufacturer.
What is interesting is the same people are involved in all three companies
@@gotsloco1810 I do run into Thorsen hand tools at estate/garage sales. The Proto-Los Angeles is amazing in that the long name location is always spelled out on each hand tool (kind of cool).
It seems strangely interesting that there have been so many mergers, closings, buyouts, consolidations, bankruptcies, etc. of the American made tool companies over the decades. Also, tool brands seem unusual in that many of them started with only very limited lines of products, such as an adjustable wrench or pliers.
Yeah, there's a ton of similar elements in all the tool company stories.
Since nobody else has yet to say it, I guess I will. Dude, YOU HAVE TO glom onto that three-horned Black Bull as the rightful logo for the Ballinator channel!!!
LOL
It is a good logo!
What can you tell us about Vlchek? I looked back and can't find that you've done any story about them. TIA
Vlchek got bought out by Proto in '59. I have them on the list to do a full video on at some point.
@@ballinator I actually have a history biography book about the Vlchek company from when started as a youngster in Europe before ending up in Cleveland a unique book for sure
If you want to go on a wild ride, follow the chain of ownership for each of the semiconductor manufacturing facilities (fabs) in the United States... Or any country really... For example, pick a factory from Vermont or upstate new York and go from there.
Sounds interesting.