Tuesday, October 21, 2014

We used to make things in this country. #167: James Warnock & Company, Galt, Ontario

Below, from a Kijiji ad:


According to the seller, the chisel at top is a 1 1/16" Warnock & Co. Galt corner chisel. The chisel below a 2" J. Warnock & Co. (Galt) framing chisel. Obviously well used, if not well taken care of.

Below, two pics of a drawknife contributed by a visitor who offered them in a comment below:



According to Tom Lamond's article on the company on YesteryearstoolsJames Warnock's family emigrated to Canada from Scotland when he was a teenager.  In 1857, he and his younger brother Adam established Warnock & Company in Galt, Ontario, sometimes (with more than a little hubris) known as the "Manchester of Canada."  In 1870, they took control of the Galt Axe Factory, under the overall auspices of James Warnock & Company.  In 1909, the Galt Axe Factory was sold to Alan Hills.



Below, a broadaxe from the company.





thanks, Inno!


3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I recently picked up a draw knife from an old farm and it is a J. Warnock & Co. Just needs to be rehandled but is in really great shape. I have photos if you are interested in seeing it.

Also the following are great resources for identifying makers, particularly early Canadian ones.

http://www.thetoolgroupofcanada.com/images/Canadian_Tool_Manufacturers_1820-1914.pdf

and

http://www.sha.org/assets/documents/Trademarks%20on%20Base-Metal%20Tableware.pdf

The Duke said...

I'd love some photos! Email me and I'll add them to the post! And thanks for the links!

Unknown said...

I found a small Warnock asymmetrical broadaxe today with the correct skewed handle. The head is very nice but the (original?) handle is badly cracked.

I have a photo but can't seem to post it attached to this comment.