This is another wrench we found locally, apparently Par-X is a higher end Snap-On but we can find very little info on this Par-3 brand. Knowledge and opinions welcomed! Wherever this is made, they aren't publicizing it!
4 comments:
Dave
said...
Well this is interesting. In the whole world not a "par-3" wrench for sale or on display, except for a complete set in a kit pouch on eBay:
Downloading the full-size pictures and examining the markings on the pouch, the emblem says "PAR 3," encircled by "World Class Wrenches" and "Clés de Classe Mondiale;" a part number; and then what sure looks to me like "GEDORE."
We know who GEDORE is; and they're European. But why not put their name on the wrench itself? Digging deeper is where it gets interesting. In the 1980s there were two trademarks, "PAR 3" and "PAR-3" assigned to "Gedore Tools (India) Private Limited." Did Gedore make a foray into cheap tool production in India back in the 80s? Maybe. I doubt they're knock-offs; they would have put "Gedore" on the tool itself. I don't know, but I suspect they're legitimately connected to Gedore somehow (even if they are embarrassed about it).
Interesting find. I received a metric set of Par-3 wrenches in abouts Christmas 1976, I was 13. The metric system was “introduced” in Cdn schools in 1975? We had Made in Germany John Deere tractors (not imperial nuts) AND I had taken apart my first VW Beetle to reconstruct as a field car, or dune buggy as it was called. Did you know you can disassemble a Beetle with a 10, 17mm, and a Philips #2 ? Took about 30 minutes to decide Metric wrenches were better than Imperial …. If 13 is too small, one size up is 14. NO THINKING required.
My Par-3’s clearly are stamped INDIA. Don’t think I’ve seen any other Made in India tools since. (Back then, Husky tools made in the Excited States, and Gray made in Canada – filled my Dad’s tool box. Dad’s collection was likely from the late 40’s as he apprenticed for a few months at a local Mount Forest garage.) I appreciated the shiny Par-3 finish over the matte Husky since it was much easier to wipe down. I only ever broke the 17mm when I used a pipe for a 3 foot lever. These same GREAT wrenches are still my go-to wrenches for anything in the garage.
If I were to guess, Dad bought these Par-3 at Consumers Distributing or possibly Ideal Supply. Canadian Tire was called Crappy Tire back then. You only bought Canadian Tire tools when they were 50% off – but they did stock lots of tools.
4 comments:
Well this is interesting. In the whole world not a "par-3" wrench for sale or on display, except for a complete set in a kit pouch on eBay:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/PAR-3-CHROME-VANADIUM-7-PIECE-METRIC-WRENCH-SET-10MM-17MM-WITH-LEATHER-HOLSTER-/271721009095?_ul=IL
Downloading the full-size pictures and examining the markings on the pouch, the emblem says "PAR 3," encircled by "World Class Wrenches" and "Clés de Classe Mondiale;" a part number; and then what sure looks to me like "GEDORE."
We know who GEDORE is; and they're European. But why not put their name on the wrench itself? Digging deeper is where it gets interesting. In the 1980s there were two trademarks, "PAR 3" and "PAR-3" assigned to "Gedore Tools (India) Private Limited." Did Gedore make a foray into cheap tool production in India back in the 80s? Maybe. I doubt they're knock-offs; they would have put "Gedore" on the tool itself. I don't know, but I suspect they're legitimately connected to Gedore somehow (even if they are embarrassed about it).
Looks like china to me. Maybe taiwan. the lettering is poorly stamped. looks horribly cheap.
Interesting find. I received a metric set of Par-3 wrenches in abouts Christmas 1976, I was 13. The metric system was “introduced” in Cdn schools in 1975? We had Made in Germany John Deere tractors (not imperial nuts) AND I had taken apart my first VW Beetle to reconstruct as a field car, or dune buggy as it was called. Did you know you can disassemble a Beetle with a 10, 17mm, and a Philips #2 ? Took about 30 minutes to decide Metric wrenches were better than Imperial …. If 13 is too small, one size up is 14. NO THINKING required.
My Par-3’s clearly are stamped INDIA. Don’t think I’ve seen any other Made in India tools since. (Back then, Husky tools made in the Excited States, and Gray made in Canada – filled my Dad’s tool box. Dad’s collection was likely from the late 40’s as he apprenticed for a few months at a local Mount Forest garage.) I appreciated the shiny Par-3 finish over the matte Husky since it was much easier to wipe down. I only ever broke the 17mm when I used a pipe for a 3 foot lever. These same GREAT wrenches are still my go-to wrenches for anything in the garage.
If I were to guess, Dad bought these Par-3 at Consumers Distributing or possibly Ideal Supply. Canadian Tire was called Crappy Tire back then. You only bought Canadian Tire tools when they were 50% off – but they did stock lots of tools.
It’s made in India. I can provide pictures of a size 6, and I would appreciate more information on these if anyone has it.
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