Thread: Vintage Stanley Plastic Handled Chisels

Hi James. Nice work. So when were these manufactured. Stewie.

Originally Posted by planemaker

Hi James. Nice work. So when were these manufactured. Stewie.

Thanks Stewie. As you can see from my web page their genesis is quite murky. The commencement of their manufacture is often quoted as "the early 1930s". For sure by 1934 because they are listed as new in that year's Stanley catalog. Of course, Stanley was renowned for listing tools as new year after year in their catalogs -- as is the case with the No. 60/61 Chisels -- listed as new in the 1934 catalog and each year thereafter, at least until 1958. And that date is as far as I have pursued plastic handled Stanley chisels.

James

Originally Posted by SGBarnes

Vintage Stanley Plastic handled chisels are not covered by John Walter in his "Antique & Collectible Stanley Tools: Guide to Identity & Value" (Second Edition 1996). However, large quantities were manufactured, and used, in years past. They were of high quality and were renowned for their ruggedness and durability. They now are frequently offered on e-bay and by used tool purveyors -- they are collectible and often realize quite high prices.

I have composed this web page devoted to these chisels from the period 1934-1958 that includes a tabulation of data extracted from my Stanley catalogs of that period that I hope will be of use to those interested in these chisels. Please follow the link -- I most earnestly solicit all comments, suggestions and corrections ..........

Web page updated to incorporate various suggestions. Thanks for all the input.

James

Hello James, your web site is certainly growing - well done.
Just a couple of comments if I may.
Congratulations on your photography and the care that you have taken with your layout.
Reading the old trademarks on very old tools can be difficult especially if there is any pitting and / or the imprint is faint.
I think you will find that E T Witherby is probably T H Witherby (- always very nice chisels too)
A quick question about the picture of British chisels: Is the chisel second from the top marked in any way? You have it listed as unmarked but it bears all the hallmarks of American chisels. Sometimes there is a faint imprint on the socket itself - makers like Greenlee and UNION marked theirs here and often very faintly. I just have a suspicion that this one is US made and not British.
Congratulations once again on your website.
SG

Originally Posted by Scribbly Gum

Hello James, your web site is certainly growing - well done ........... Congratulations on your photography and the care that you have taken with your layout ..........

Thank you very much.

.......... I think you will find that E T Witherby is probably T H Witherby ..........

Nice catch, SG! -- I just goofed there!

....... A quick question about the picture of British chisels: Is the chisel second from the top marked in any way? .......... I just have a suspicion that this one is US made and not British ..........

The marking is indeed very faint, but I think you are right -- I will re-do that pic.

.......... Congratulations once again on your website ..........

Thank you once again, SG.

James

Originally Posted by SGBarnes

Thanks Stewie. As you can see from my web page their genesis is quite murky. The commencement of their manufacture is often quoted as "the early 1930s". For sure by 1934 because they are listed as new in that year's Stanley catalog. Of course, Stanley was renowned for listing tools as new year after year in their catalogs -- as is the case with the No. 60/61 Chisels -- listed as new in the 1934 catalog and each year thereafter, at least until 1958. And that date is as far as I have pursued plastic handled Stanley chisels.

James

Hi James. I am of the opinion that the black stanloid Everlasting Chisel which had the manufacturers markings on the handle and not on the tang were the 1st type of composite handled chisels that Stanley manufactured.

Stewie.

Having obtained permission from Stanley to use extracts from various old catalogs, I have now updated this page to include several supporting illustrations.

James

Hi James. Excellent work. It looks as though the black stanloid handles were manufactured around the 1950s. I was wrong and you were right James. Good work.

Stewie.

Originally Posted by planemaker

Hi James. Excellent work .......... Stewie.

Thank you, Stewie.

James

Just as a point of interest, Stanley No. 60 butt chisels were more expensive than No. 720 firmer chisels (1950 Catalog -- images added to page).

James

Originally Posted by SGBarnes

Just as a point of interest, Stanley No. 60 butt chisels were more expensive than No. 720 firmer chisels (1950 Catalog -- images added to page).

James

Hi James. The Stanley No. 40 and No.60 Chisels with the black stanloid handles and exposed steel end caps. Do you having any information on when Stanley stopped manufacturing these.

Stewie.

Originally Posted by planemaker

Hi James. The Stanley No. 40 and No.60 Chisels with the black stanloid handles and exposed steel end caps. Do you having any information on when Stanley stopped manufacturing these.

Stewie.

Do you mean No. 40 and No. 50 Chisels, Stewie? But no, I have not unearthed any discontinuance of manufacturing date so far.

James

Originally Posted by SGBarnes

Do you mean No. 40 and No. 50 Chisels, Stewie? But no, I have not unearthed any discontinuance of manufacturing date so far.

James

Hi James. No.60 were the Stanley black stanloid butt chisels.

Stewie.

Originally Posted by planemaker

Hi James. No.60 were the Stanley black stanloid butt chisels.

Stewie.

James