I had thought a Lee Valley Tools monthly catalog had said that Record was getting out of vises and planes – and heard the same at GarrettWade.
I was in York, England this week, at a pretty amazing department store (Barnitt’s?) with a better tool selection than I can find here at most hardware stores. I asked about Record, since I was looking for a #5 plane they didn’t have in stock, and mentioned that I’d heard they were getting out of planes and vises, maybe cast iron in general.
“Rubbish!” was the man’s answer – “If they’d done that, we’d have heard about it. We’re only 40 miles away.” They certainly had plenty of Record tools, and the recent catalogs still listed it.
Anyone know what’s up? (I’m now back in the US, unable to visit and find out for myself!)
Replies
Simon, I had heard that Recors were getting out of the vice market, but not the hand planes. I noticed in two stores (Hardwicks and Home depot in Seattle) that Record vices were on special because they were being discontinued. Since then both stores do not appear to carry them.
Issue 76, the latest issue of Furniture & Cabinetmaking, states that the company will now be known as the "Irwin Industrial Tool Company, which will be the umbrella name for all the company's professional hand tool products." They go on to say that names such as Record, marples, Jack and Gilbo will "develop a single identity." Lastly, "Irwin has been a well-known and respected name in power tool accessories since 1855 in the USA and for many years in the UK." There's more, but that'll do for now. Slainte.
Website The poster formerly known as Sgian Dubh.
Makes one weep for the days of Record Ridgway Tool Co.
Yeah, almost forgotten about them, Charles. I must be getting old. I remember too much rubbish from long ago, ha, ha. Was life always sepia back then, or do memories, like photographs get a yellow looking? Slainte.Website The poster formerly known as Sgian Dubh.
I've notice that Quick Clamp has gone from yellow to blue, and now carries the Irwin name also.
Don
Didn't know that, Don. I don't think I own any Quick Clamps though, but I may be mistaken-- I've got so bleedin' many, ha, ha. Slainte. Website The poster formerly known as Sgian Dubh.
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