The wrench that got me on the dark path

[leg17]

I found this at a flea marked about 15 years ago and it just seemed cool.
It is pretty beefy and it was apparently hand made with a nice level of skill.
The only markings are the number 8 stamped in many places.

Started looking for more like it and, so far, no luck.
But I did drag a couple hundred others home in the meantime.
I have found others with the sort of 'chevron' or whatever the design element is near the head, but nothing like that first one.
(Wrenches are like some other special thing.  The only ones you think about are the first one and the next one!)

Eberhard, Hershel, Champion, and others, as well as the Diamond K Kraeuter are all multiplying in my garage.

[john k]

Got me on this style.  Have a few dozen old wrenches, not seen this type.  I can see why you would want to collect them.  I have discovered that some makers marketed specialty wrenches,  a few sizes, not the full range of sizes seen today.  Luck.

[jimwrench]

 That handmade wrench is pretty unique.
You probably know this but the other three are: Eberhard (possibly 2335; OK Champion potato digger:Herschel (made in Three sizes).

[leg17]

That handmade wrench is pretty unique.
........Herschel (made in Three sizes).

Thanks for the reply jimwrench.
Do you know what the three sizes are?
I have a "8" and a "9", both pretty rough shape.
Try to post pictures tomorrow.

[jimwrench]

Rathbone shows three sizes of (S) oew . He lists them as 8 1/2 long for 3/4 and 7/8 nuts; 7 3/8 long for 1/2 and 5/8 nuts and 6 long for 3/8 and 1/2 nuts
 This is taken from page 231 of vol 1

[leg17]

Rathbone shows three sizes of (S) oew . He lists them as 8 1/2 long for 3/4 and 7/8 nuts; 7 3/8 long for 1/2 and 5/8 nuts and 6 long for 3/8 and 1/2 nuts
 This is taken from page 231 of vol 1

Thanks a lot.  You all are so helpful.

[EVILDR235]

The tools that got me started were gotten with S&H Green Stamps. I saved up about 5 books of S&H Green Stamps and found a cheapie 3/8 drive set of tools in their catalog. I was living in Napa California at the time and we did not have a S&H store in town. I got on the grey dog bus and went 15 miles South to Vallejo where they had a store. I believe the tool set cost me about 3-1/2 books of the stamps. I believe the set was Steven's and Walden brand. All the wrenching on my first car a 1955 English Ford Anglia did that set in.

EvilDr235

[Papaw]

A British car or motorcycle would certainly keep a tool kit in use!

[p_toad]

The old Sperry & Hutchison (sp?) and Top Value stamps (yellow), bought a lot of stuff back in the day.   Remember licking those stamps to put them in the books for my parents (I don't recall every buying anything with them and always gave the stamps to my parents.

That's a memory.   Too bad you don't have those tools...  :(

[EVILDR235]

It didn't take long to break most of them. 3/8 drive Imperial tools with a 3 foot piece of pipe used on Whitworth bolts and nuts don't last long. My friend Okie Custer helped out with his 6 point sockets. He also showed the place on the Lucas starter to place a spanner to un stick the Bendix that made me think the engine was froze up.

EvilDr235