Quality that lasts

One of the benefits of reorganizing the garage is being reminded what tools I have … and taking a closer look at them.

This one: “M Klein & Sons” / “Chicago USA”. As my younger daughter says, “To the Google!”

Near the top of the search results: “Klein Tools - How old are your Klein pliers? Check the…” Huh! There on the inside of one handle I have “KIL”.

Using the chart on Klein’s Facebook page: K = 2, I = 5, L = 3.
So my pliers were made in the second quarter of 1953.

This helped determine how I probably came to have these “201-7NE” pliers (identifying them as 7" New England nose style): probably from Clare’s paternal grandfather, through her dad. Knowing the history of this particular pair, it's now the pair I reach for first.

“Perhaps the only job Mathias Klein ever did ‘halfway’ involved the first tool he ever made, which was — in fact — one half pair of pliers. A broken side-cutting pliers was brought to his forge shop by a telegraph lineman. Mathias Klein forged and finished a new half for the tool, riveted it to the old, and the lineman went on his way. Shortly thereafter the lineman returned. The other original half of the tool had now broken and Mathias Klein forged the second pliers half, producing the first complete Klein pliers.” From Klein Tools’ History
» Klein Tools

[ IMG_0775S675x9Utm :: 60mm ]

[Esther Rosenberg]

Google as all the answers lol, our garage is such a mess, who know what we find lol.

[GaryW]

What a fascinating story, Thom. It is great to know the history! I did not keep my dad's tools, which he picked up "here and there", some from his dad, because I had no where to keep them.