Old Craftools

[J D]

Could someone explain ( or send a link ) what the various craftool impressions on each tool represents as to their age. Some are craftool - some are craftool co. - some are craftool usa. Any help would be appreciated.

[WyomingSlick]

From the time Craftool began making their tools until they were bought up by Tandy around 1962 their tool were stamped "CRAFTOOL CO". Most of these had a 3 digit number except those that were less than 100. Numbers less than 60 where the stamping tools begin with an undercut beveler, were used for tools such as: snap setters, lacing punches, eyelet setters, etc.

When Craftool was taken over by Tandy and operations were moved from Los Angeles to Fort Worth, TX, they started using a letter prefix before the number that signified the tool grouping it belonged to: A for background tools, B for bevelers, C for Camouflage, and so on. Around 1968 they added USA after the CRAFTOOL CO name. And then some time after that they dropped the "CO" so it was just CRAFTOOL USA.

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A rough guideline as to age can be made from what is stamped on the handle; If it says:

1. CRAFTOOL CO - No Number-most likely made before Craftool started putting the numbers on the tools around 1950.

2. CRAFTOOL CO. - with only a number, it was made prior to 1963.

3. CRAFTOOL CO. - with a letter prefix & number it was made about 63' to 68'

4. CRAFTOOL CO. USA - with a letter and number it was made after 69"

5. CRAFTOOL USA - with a letter and number it was made more recently, and

6. CraftJapan - made very recently AND in Japan.

Go to my blog for more info on Craftools and download the Craftool Index I have there...

Edited March 12, 2011 by WyomingSlick

[J D]

Thanks for your reply and information.

Am attaching a couple of photos of some 'vintage' tools that I have. They are all bevelers. Some have knarly grips and some are smooth. I believe they may be from one or two of the notable tool makers. Any help you can give me would be appreciated.....thanks again....jd

[King's X]

Some of those bevellers appear to be resemble my Hackbarth-Barnes bevellers, which are currently HQ'ed in Elfrida, Arizona. First picture, (left to right) numbers #2,3 &4. Numbers #1 & 6 appear to resemble Craftools. Number #5 looks like a handmade stamp. I hope this helps.

[J D]

Appreciate your response. I was thinking that a couple were old hackbarths'. Just getting involved with this site and really beginning to like it. Thanks again....jd

[WyomingSlick]

When it comes to old leathercraft stamping tools that are not marked, it is almost impossible to say who made them. This is even more so when you are talking about the simpler to fabricate tools like: bevelers, shaders, checkered backgrounders, etc. There are some tools sold on eBay as McMillans which are NOT! The fact stands that there were many other tool makers out there and in fact. many saddlemakers in the old days made many of their own stamping tools from whatever was handy; large nails, bolts, etc.. or even modifying a stamp they already had.

I would say that I have tools representative of at least 10 makers that I have no idea who or where they were. These range from simple handworked nails like several of yours, to a few that are the equal of any I've ever seen. What you have to keep in mind is that after World War II, there were a great many machinists in this country. With the end of the war, some of these were out of a job and were looking for a way to put bread on the table. Some of these made tools for Craftool and that is why their earlier tools are generally higher quality than those made later in a factory. Watch my blog for more information on these older tools in the months to come.

Getting back to your old "collectibles", I would have to say that there is nothing definite about any of them, True, #2 does look a bit like some Hackbarths and is shorter than average like Ellis Barnes made tools (he made tools for Ray Hackbarth back in the old days before taking over after Ray's passing). Mostly though, Hackbarths were made of stainless steel and will not attract a magnet as strongly as a regular iron or steel tool. You might check these for that.

[ReneeCanady]

Thank you for this thread. I have looked all over the place to find this answer. I also have older tool and was wondering HOW OLD they were. This should help.