Author Topic: Hello and a little branding mystery  (Read 2559 times)

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Offline ABK

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Hello and a little branding mystery
« on: October 19, 2020, 12:09:06 PM »
Hello everybody!
I'm Anton - a newbie to this platform!
I have browsed the internet in search for information on perfect handle screwdrivers and pretty soon found this forum - so I decided to tap into this great pool of knowledge. :)
Being a hands-on person, i own a number of tools (to use them), but by time passing by I seem to have some tools I just keep for the sake of admiring their vintage beauty. (especially vintage screwdrivers  :kiss: )

I would like to call out for help of the historians around here:

Some days ago I bought a little (sadly tortured) perfect handle screwdriver on a flea market in Germany.
It is bearing a makers mark on the tip, which states "SUDAG - KEULE" - identifying it as a tool made by "Suckow Duisberg AG", a German tool manufacturer being in business from around 1922 to post war times as far as I know...
The wooden scales were falling off and to my surprise they revealed an "S" in a circle on the handle area. Until now I was thinking this was the usual branding of HD Smith company.

Could it be possible, that HD Smith exported tools to Europe, where they were rebranded for local markets? Or is the "S" not linked to HD Smith?

Greetings from Germany, Anton

Offline ABK

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Re: Hello and a little branding mystery
« Reply #1 on: October 19, 2020, 12:20:07 PM »
I had some issues with the picture size, but I hope now they get through!

Offline Papaw

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Re: Hello and a little branding mystery
« Reply #2 on: October 19, 2020, 12:43:29 PM »
Welcome to Tool Talk !

As far as I know, H D Smith didn't export overseas, and the configuration of the blade is not one I have ever seen on an H D Smith screwdriver.  Looks like a tool for a certain type of fastener. I once modified a standard screwdriver to use on the clutch screws of Triumph and BSA motorcycles.

You can find H D Smith catalogs on the web to see what they offered.
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Offline ABK

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Re: Hello and a little branding mystery
« Reply #3 on: October 19, 2020, 12:55:40 PM »
Thank you very much for the fast reply, Papaw!

It is great to become a member of this community.

I have also found HD Smith catalogues online - and they were the only ones I could find using the "S" in the circle logo...

As for the tip: it has been modified by someone with a file... it does not seem to be factory made. I was thinking of maybe welding material in and fixing it.

Offline Papaw

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Re: Hello and a little branding mystery
« Reply #4 on: October 19, 2020, 03:44:31 PM »
Could have been modified for split nus on handsaws.
Member of PHARTS - Perfect Handle Admiration, Restoration and Torturing Society
 
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Offline p_toad

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Re: Hello and a little branding mystery
« Reply #5 on: October 19, 2020, 07:00:33 PM »
Can't help you with that tool, but welcome to Tool Talk Anton.     

"I seem to have some tools I just keep for the sake of admiring their vintage beauty"

So you're a collector and not a hoarder (yet).   :tongue:

Offline ABK

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Re: Hello and a little branding mystery
« Reply #6 on: October 20, 2020, 02:07:20 AM »
yet...  :grin: