Antique Keychain Tools

[Peter Atwood]

Now, here's an interesting topic and one that you do not often hear about. What kind of stuff were people carrying way back 50, 80 or 100 years ago or more? I'd be very curious to see any old keychain tools or unusual pocket tools that are in your collections. I have a few neat ones and I'll be posting photos shortly.

[Peter Atwood]

As promised, here's a shot of some old keychain screwdriver tools that I have collected. These were often given as promo items years ago and usually were made of cheap stamped metal. I like the one in the middle the best as it is older and better made than what you usually find...I believe it is cast.

http://www.atwoodknives.com/pics/oldedc1.jpg

[The Closer]

Peter, your definetly going old school with those!!! Sweet collection you got there. ;D

[paul810]

My father and grandfather both carried screwdrivers like that on their work key ring (my father still does), they usually used them for prying open paint cans. They came in pretty handy when you didn't want to break your knife blade or a key. :)

[Bravo 25]

Those do look nice. I am a sucker for old items that were well made, and have lasted through the years.

[JonSidneyB]

The wonderful thing about quality items is that they last more than a lifetime.

[dbeeksci]

Being close to the antique business for 25 years, I have seen just about everything you can imagine made "pocket size" from the Georgian to the Victorian periods, including microscopes, surveying instruments, record players, anything and everything you can imagine that could be miniaturized.

[JonSidneyB]

I do not have many small antiques but I have some large antiques.

Devices made in the past seemed to be of far higher quality even though the technology was not as advanced. I have electric fans that run quieter and stronger than a brand new ones you can buy today. They are as good as they day they were bought.

I am often distressed at how far down quality has gone. Its one of the reason that I love modern items built with the quality of the past. It last forever and always works when you need it.

[paul810]

You not kidding, our Cat Bulldozer and Brockway tractor trailors from the 60's have been running great with just general maintence, we've had no real problems other than dry rot on the rubber hoses and seals, all the new equipment is in the shop every other month for stupid stuff. Sometimes I like new technology, and other times it gives me a headache.

[bwperdue]

http://www.atwoodknives.com/pics/oldedc1.jpg


Hey! I have at least one of those Proto ones on the right; my dad gave them.

[SpyderNoir_JHA]

Peter,

Those are pretty cool. Tell me, did you start collecting tools like that before or after you started making your own? By the way, I have no doubt that when they look through my old belongings 100 years from now, they'll find that my prybaby has held up just as well.

[Peter Atwood]

I've been collecting this kind of stuff for many years. These particular pieces I have acquired on Ebay over the past couple of years. I'm always looking at old tools for inspiration and sometimes I see neat features and methods of construction that are very interesting.

Spyder, that is my hope! :)

[RyanMalpiede]

Got lucky and got a couple of Proto's for $6 each. When I want to go super light, it's the only thing on my keychain. The threeway u made me peter goes around the neck. ;)

[alwilliam]

grandpas old school key chain stuff

[Gadget Guy]

I collect the old "Norton" abrasives pocket screwdriver's. I have about 5 or 6 of them. They are 1" in diameter with a hole in the middle to put on your keychain. It has gratuated sizing similar to a gap tool, but mainly for screws. It is a very nice quality tool. They show up every once in a while on Ebay, but you will have to make sure that I don't out bid you if you want one! :P

[Peter Atwood]

John, I want to see picture of that! :)

[bpa]

I collect the old "Norton" abrasives pocket screwdriver's. I have about 5 or 6 of them. They are 1" in diameter with a hole in the middle to put on your keychain. It has gratuated sizing similar to a gap tool, but mainly for screws. It is a very nice quality tool. They show up every once in a while on Ebay, but you will have to make sure that I don't out bid you if you want one! :P


Maybe like these?
http://www.leevalley.com/gifts/page.aspx?c=2&p=32215&cat=4,104,53210&ap=3

[Gadget Guy]

John, I want to see picture of that! :)


Peter, Better yet, I sent you one...

[Gadget Guy]

Maybe like these?
http://www.leevalley.com/gifts/page.aspx?c=2&p=32215&cat=4,104,53210&ap=3


Bpa, thanks for the link! I'm fairly sure that it is the same item, but for that price i'm not sure of the quality though. I will order some and let you know.

Thanks again,

Gadget Guy

[bpa]

I can't compare quality because I never owned the original, but I will receive them on Monday, so I'll let you know my take on it- unless of course you sprang for faster delivery than I did. :fishbone:

[RyanMalpiede]

Japanese Carpenter's Knife

http://www.leevalley.com/images/item/woodworking/assorted/06d0701s3.jpg

This looks interesting: http://www.leevalley.com/gifts/page.aspx?c=2&p=51165&cat=4,104,53218&ap=6

[M.TEX]

Well Thanks for the HELP with posting Pics...

In MINT condition here is a SAK 1941 ( soldier model ) and a Barnett Tool . They used to be EDC's
from people long time ago. so...Multi-tool have been around for long time. First soldier SAK
model date from 1891( not in the Picture ) and the second one in the pic it is from early 1900's.

[M.TEX]

Ooops just to let you know , the Barnett Tool have a screw driver at the end the handle;
plus wire cutter in the pliers...

[Gadget Guy]

Well Thanks for the HELP with posting Pics...

In MINT condition here is a SAK 1941 ( soldier model ) and a Barnett Tool . They used to be EDC's
from people long time ago. so...Multi-tool have been around for long time. First soldier SAK
model date from 1891( not in the Picture ) and the second one in the pic it is from early 1900's.




If you ever decide to part wilth the SAK, please let me know...

Thanks,

Gadget Guy

[Peter Atwood]

Those are great! Love the hoof pick on the Barnett tool.

[traveler]

I love checking out the old gear.My dad always had some of those keychain screwdrivers,and I always thought that they were the coolest thing(second only to my Swiss Army Knife) In the pic that Alwilliam posted, I quickly zeroed in on that unusual looking hammer-chisel tool on the left of the pic and decided to see if I could find it on line. I put " McCowens hammer" on google and came up with a bunch of hits on English toffee.An in-depth look revealed that I was right on target: it is a toffee hammer, of all things! Turns out that these were originaly used by confectioners for busting up large slabs of toffee,and there are gift packs available on line that have a toffee hammer incuded with a big ol' chunk of toffee. Makes me want to get the gift pack just for the hammer!

[Mark G]

Hey!* I have at least one of those* Proto ones on the right; my dad gave them.


I have one of the Proto's too!!!

Mark