BAHCO FIND

[johnek]

Here is a very unusual double shark model Bahco 165

[bill300d]

In the U.S. we call them alligator wrenches. I imagine you don't run across a nice one like that very often.

[Plyerman]

Congrats on the 18-inch adjustable and the double alligator John. They both look like great wrenches. Was the "double shark" as you call it made in a range of different sizes?

[johnek]

Congrats on the 18-inch adjustable and the double alligator John. They both look like great wrenches. Was the "double shark" as you call it made in a range of different sizes?

I dont know I'm just starting to discover these but yes I think they would be different sizes. I'll ask the seller what the length of this one is. I assume that as its No 165 it would be 18" as the numbering would conform with 5=18" but that seems huge!

In the meantime, check out these pictures of the very oldest model Bahco 3 (15") from 1892-1902. Notice how the shaft is wider at the end.

[Plyerman]

Nice! A very simple / elegant design

[johnek]

Here is one you dont see very often, a 30" Generation 2 No. 68 from 1913-1914.
The largest and certainly one of the rarest Bahco presented in great condition. A bargain at 500 Euros!

[Plyerman]

Great condition indeed! It looks to have spent the last 100 years in a vault somewhere. Congrats!

[johnek]

Well no I didn't end up buying the Bahco 68. Maybe I should have - its so unusual and in such great condition. But just when I let a few full price items pass due to budget restraints, BOOM! Up comes this set on Australian EBay. I popped on it straight away! What do you notice about this set?

[turnnut]

is that the same type 30 inch wrench in that group ?

is that a matched set ?

[lptools]

Is it that the second from left has an offset head?

[johnek]

This is not a matched set by any means. The 6" is a 1924-1953 generation 3. The 8" offset No 81 is from 1924-1940 and nothing special. The 10" 72 is also a very ordinary tool from the same period. The 0973 is actually mildly interesting. Its from 1969-1983 and is a generation 4 model. You can tell by the tapered shaft. There were 4 varieties: The earlier ones from 1954-1968 were 973 and 673 (RH and LH) and the later ones (1969-1983) were 0673 and 0973. The '3' in each case is for the 12" size (1=8", 2=10", 3=12", 4=15", 5=18"). Now it just so happens that the 067* series were very common, followed by 97* and then 67* (these only ever found in Sweden), while the 097* are really hard to find. It has taken me years to collect a set of the 097* series.

But the gem in this collection is of course the No 54, its a rare 15" generation 2 model from 1911-1913 and the first one I have seen on Australian EBay for as long as I have been looking. What I have found is that in Sweden the rarity and value of these items is much better known. This wrench would sell for $500 AUD there easily; while in Australia, sellers tend not to know what they have. And so here is a valuable and rare Generation 2 bundled in with a bunch of very ordinary Bahco worth $10-$20 each.

[johnek]

Hello

Bahco 84 is a 15" 45-degree offset wrench made between 1924 and 1940 following the ones labelled Bahco-Clyburn. There were several versions, the earliest had whitworth size markings on them, (eg 1 x 15 IN). If the wrench has a Pat number it is also earlier and more desirable. Middle versions were labelled BAHCO No84  15 IN and the most common later versions just had BAHCO 84 on them. An 84 is not as common as an 83,  82 or 81 and is reasonably desirable because it is BIG. The 85 (18 inch) are the hardest to find. If it has a straight shaft, smooth operation of its knurl, crisp edges on the jaw, and the jaw closes all the way and has no stamps or marks on it then it's even better.

Regards,

joHn

[johnek]

Here is what I have collected in the last few months.

A Generation 1 Bahco 4 (18 inch) from 1903-1911; A Generation 1 Hajnickel No 23 (12 inch)  around 1940, a Bahco-Clyburn No 70 from around the early 20s (with a matrix number of 12 which is one of the highest I've seen on this model), and a rare 6" No 30 tire-lever model (these were later called No 10 which are common). No 30 is most often known as a small 6" shark model.

Collection approaching 200 Bahco now - yes there are a few repeat copies. There's a few Generation 2 models I'm still looking for....

[Plyerman]

Looks like you've been doing well sir! I especially like the looks of the big Generation 1 wrench with the offset head. The appearance is quite unique compared to what the standard adjustable wrench looks like today.

[3baygarage]

Hello Johnek. First time visiting this thread. I'm very impressed by your collection!

I was wondering if you can give me any information on this wrench, such as exact age.

It's labeled ENKOPINGS MEK WERKSTAD PATENT, with a 1 stamped at the end of the handle.

There is a 6 stamped on the end of the sliding jaw, the size I assume.