@Andy Kev. 's thread about hand tools you can't buy new - https://www.thewoodhaven2.co.uk/thr...which-you-would-like-to-see-made-again.11481/ - has set me thinking about the handful of companies that we do still have in the UK who make hand tools and I thought we might have a go at listing them.
I suggest we restrict ourselves to just companies who have commercial premises and routinel y make tools in the UK. (So not the hobby/part time/non-commercial makers.) And let's not confuse ourselves with familiar old brands that have been bought up by conglomerates who manufacture everything overseas but use the old names to give an impression of quality (eg Irwin-Record), although it does get complicated when you try to disentangle ownership of brand names and trade marks into the murky international waters of global commerce.
For each company, let's say what they make and link to evidence (eg a video) of their UK manufacturing.
I'll kick off with some easy ones.
Thomas Flinn & Co Ltd.
www.flinn-garlick-saws.co.uk
They make saws branded as Lynx, Pax and Dorchester, in small batches, at their factory in Sheffield, where they also make Clifton planes.
The online shop at their website lists products made by several other Sheffield companies, including:
Robert Sorby Limited
robert-sorby.co.uk
They make woodworking tools including chisels, turning tools, chucks and the Pro-edge sharpening system.
Robert Sorby trace their history back to 1624, or 1828 as a manufacturer. After many changes, they were absorbed into the Spear and Jackson group of companies in 1990, which was itself acquired in 2014 by SNH Global Holdings Limited, a huge holding company with its HQ in Hong Kong. They do still manufacture in Sheffield.
Thor Hammer Company Limited
www.thorhammer.com
Makers of soft faced mallets for a variety of trades. A family owned and run company for over 100 years, based in Shirley, West Midlands.
Monument Tools Limited
monument-tools.com
Makers of tools for the plumbing trade, including pipe cutters and benders alongside innovations suggested by their loyal customers. A family owned and run company whose history goes back to Colliers of Brixton, a general tool dealer in the 1880s.
Manufacturing base is at Hackbridge, Surrey.
Over to you - there are quite a few more!
I suggest we restrict ourselves to just companies who have commercial premises and routinel y make tools in the UK. (So not the hobby/part time/non-commercial makers.) And let's not confuse ourselves with familiar old brands that have been bought up by conglomerates who manufacture everything overseas but use the old names to give an impression of quality (eg Irwin-Record), although it does get complicated when you try to disentangle ownership of brand names and trade marks into the murky international waters of global commerce.
For each company, let's say what they make and link to evidence (eg a video) of their UK manufacturing.
I'll kick off with some easy ones.
Thomas Flinn & Co Ltd.
Company History - Thomas Flinn & Co
www.flinn-garlick-saws.co.uk
They make saws branded as Lynx, Pax and Dorchester, in small batches, at their factory in Sheffield, where they also make Clifton planes.
The online shop at their website lists products made by several other Sheffield companies, including:
Robert Sorby Limited
Home - Robert Sorby Ltd
Manufacturer of the highest quality woodturning tools and accessories. Proudly made in Sheffield, England UK.
robert-sorby.co.uk
They make woodworking tools including chisels, turning tools, chucks and the Pro-edge sharpening system.
Robert Sorby trace their history back to 1624, or 1828 as a manufacturer. After many changes, they were absorbed into the Spear and Jackson group of companies in 1990, which was itself acquired in 2014 by SNH Global Holdings Limited, a huge holding company with its HQ in Hong Kong. They do still manufacture in Sheffield.
Thor Hammer Company Limited
Home - Thor Hammer Company Limited
The UK's number 1 soft-faced hammers and mallets. Founded in 1923, one of the last remaining hammer manufacturers in Britain today.
www.thorhammer.com
Makers of soft faced mallets for a variety of trades. A family owned and run company for over 100 years, based in Shirley, West Midlands.
Monument Tools Limited
Home - Monument Tools
monument-tools.com
Makers of tools for the plumbing trade, including pipe cutters and benders alongside innovations suggested by their loyal customers. A family owned and run company whose history goes back to Colliers of Brixton, a general tool dealer in the 1880s.
Manufacturing base is at Hackbridge, Surrey.
Over to you - there are quite a few more!
