I found this ad in a 1960's motorcycle magazine, never seen one in real life, but there are a number of them on ebay in different sizes. Despite being drop forged and from Germany, it would seem to be yet another gimmicky "all tools in one" type of thing, useful in certain circumstances maybe, but won't replace your wrenches and sockets.
Not much info on the Witherby wrench name. It appears on another flat wrench on ebay, this one made in Japan. So it appears the Witherby brand was sourcing, rather than manufacturing. Another Witherby name also appears in New England edge tool manufacturing a century and a half ago but is most likely unrelated. The company that's selling the dogbone wrench is John H. Graham of New York. According to the Mycompanies.fandom site; John H. Graham & Company, Inc. was founded in 1870 by John H. Graham in New York City, New York. Its industry was manufacturing of tools and hardware, and as a manufacturers' agent. Its headquarters in later years was at 105-107 Duane St. in New York City where it operated until 1976.
I have a very similar wrench sold on TV a couple decades ago. it is mostly useless and I never ever use it. but I still love it and have it right here- https://veryextragreat.blogspot.com/2024/02/kobalt-sold-on-tv-probably-20-years-ago.html
ReplyDeleteI have the Craftsman versions with the superconductor magnets embedded in the handles. Every time I pull one out of the toolbag (which is not often) two or three other tools come out with it:
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I don't know who ever thought this was a good idea.
It is a nice attractive hunk of metal that looks purposeful at least. As for the magnets, they have their place, but there is that law of unintended consequences...
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