Japanese Tool Makers

Table of Contents

Introduction

Japan has a long history of fine craftsmanship in tool making going back hundreds of years. Although the country was late to industrialize, after opening up to the West in the 1870s Japan rapidly built an industrial economy, with special strength in heavy industries such as shipbuilding. In the post-war era Japan developed an export-oriented economy and became a dominant supplier in areas such as cameras, consumer electronics, automobiles, and robots.

As would be expected from these industrial capabilities, Japanese toolmakers can produce tools that rank with the finest available anywhere. However, some Japanese tools are not readily available outside their home market, and the examples available here at Alloy Artifacts are generally limited to those produced for export to the U.S. market. For this reason our site cannot do justice to the full range of Japanese toolmaking.

When looking through the examples here, keep in mind that most of these tools are much more recent than the tools in other parts of this site. Our oldest Japanese tools (for the Allenite brand) barely go back to the 1950s, and many of the others are probably from the 1970s or later.

Lost in Translation

Most of the companies listed here maintain a website, some of which offer an English section, but otherwise in Japanese only. English speakers can make use of Google Translate or other machine translations, but the language and cultural differences will inevitably lead to some unexpected or confusing results.

Spanners and more. Japan's early industrial development was heavily influenced by Great Britain, and some British terms are still in wide use. For example, open-end wrenches are called "spanners" in Japan, and this term may come up in translations. Most of our readers are probably already familiar with spanners, and if we asked for a ring spanner, most would hand us the box-end wrench.

But how about an eyeglasses wrench? In Japan a box-end wrench is めがねレンチ ("megane renchi"), literally "eyeglasses wrench". Depending on the context available, some machine translations will occasionally spit out an eyeglasses wrench.

Monkey Wrenches. Another unexpected term is the usage of "monkey wrench". In America a monkey wrench usually means a wrench with jaws at right angles to the shank, with the lower jaw moving parallel to the shank. But in Japan the term "monkey wrench" is a synonym for a Crescent-style adjustable wrench.

Trading Companies. The histories of Japanese tool companies often mention the establishment of a "trading company". In America the term "trading company" usually means a financial company trading stocks and bonds, or perhaps agricultural commodities like corn and soybeans.

The issue comes down to the translation for kanji 商社 (shōsha) in the context of tools, which our CWC Japanese source says is a distributor, but which Google Translate renders as "trading company". For now we will call this a distributor.

We're currently trying to clarify whether the tool companies have set up an actual distributor operation that handles tools from other companies as well, or if it's more like a sales and marketing organization for their own products.

Company, Ltd. Company histories may sometimes mention a reorganization leading to a name followed by "Company, Ltd.", which is a translation for "kabushikigaisha", meaning a public company trading on the stock market. On this site we generally don't care whether companies are public or private, unless it affects the markings on their tools, and so we will often drop the "Company, Ltd." for brevity.

A Note on the "Japan" Marking

Under Japanese law products made for export must be marked "Japan" to show the country of origin, but this marking is optional for domestic production. This means that if a Japanese tool is found in the US without a "Japan" marking, it was originally made for domestic use and then accidentally or informally exported later.

References and Resources

Photographs and observations of particular tools are based on items in the Alloy Artifacts collection.

CWC

Historical information on Japanese tool companies can be found (in Japanese) at the コンビネーションレンチ･コレクション Combination Wrench Collection [External Link] web site. We will refer to this reference as "CWC" in the text.

Japan Institute of Standards

No, the Japan Institute of Standards doesn't make tools, at least to our knowledge. But it does set standards for quality in hand tools, and companies whose tools meet these standards are allowed to mark the tools with a special symbol.

Testing Standards

JIS testing has different standards for different types of tools, and a company that makes many kinds of tools would need to pass a number of tests in order to offer JIS certification for their entire line. We're currently trying to learn more about the process, but the standards for hand tools discovered so far are listed below.

• B4604. Adjustable wrenches

• B4606. Pipe wrenches

• B4614. Slip-joint combination pliers

• B4623. Cutting pliers

• B4624. Round-nose pliers

• B4625. Slant-edge cutting nippers

• B4626. Water-pump pliers

• B4630. Open-end wrenches

• B4632. Box-end wrenches

• B4635. Heavy-duty cutting nippers

• B4636. Socket wrenches (12.7 mm square drive)

• B4643. Bolt Cutters

• B4651. Combination wrenches

JIS certification involves more than just testing some tools, as it applies to the entire factory at a particular location. In some cases companies were required to be re-certified after simply moving their office functions!

JIS Suffixes

Sometimes a JIS symbol will be followed by a letter code, of which "H" appears to be most common in our examples, but "N" and "S" may also appear.

We don't have all of the details for these suffixes, but the "N" and "H" codes apply to certain JIS standards (such as B4604 and B4630) that have been split into a Normal/Ordinary class and a Heavy-Duty/Strong class. Presumably this means that additional (or more difficult) tests had to be passed to be able to display the "H" suffix.

The split into JIS-N and JIS-H occurred in 1955, and in some cases the absence of a suffix may provide information on the manufacturing date. The establishment of the JIS-H class may have been motivated by the increased use of alloy steel during the early 1950s.

The "S" code appears to apply only to standard B4630 (open-end wrenches) and designates a "spear-point" style of wrench.

Test Administration

The Japan Institute of Standards defines the test standards, but the actual administration of JIS certification tests is handled by a different organization.

Initially the certification tests were administered by MITI, the government trade ministry. MITI handled test administration from its beginning in 1951 up through 1961.

In 1962 administrative responsiblility passed to the JSA, and then in 2005 the JQA took over responsibility. The latter change coincided with the change to a new JIS symbol, and tools marked with the new symbol will sometimes be marked "JQA" as well.

Compliance with Standard

The JIS standard appears to include mechanisms to ensure compliance, in the sense of ensuring that any tool with a JIS marking was made in a factory certified for production of that type of tool.

Companies that have a JIS certification are expected to mark their tools with the company's own brands and forge marks, and periodic publications provide a list of factories with JIS certifications. Our inference is that every company must have provided information on its brand markings and symbols at the time of certification.

Outsourced Production. The situation becomes more complicated in the case of outsourced or contract production. Suppose that company A has JIS certification itself, but wishes to have company B make a certain tool, and that the tool will be marked with company A's brand.

In order for the tool to carry the JIS marking, company B must be certified to produce that type of tool, and in addition company B must add its own identifying mark near the JIS symbol, so that the JIS certification can be traced to company B.

The net result of these compliance measures is that (in our understanding) there should be no anonymous tools with JIS markings — every tool with a JIS symbol must be traceable to a particular factory. A corollary of this is that companies with multiple factories would need to have a distinct marking symbol for each factory.

We hope to discover the identifying marks used by the companies listed here, and will document the marks in the "Tool Identification" section for each company.

Relinquishment of Certification

Companies may be required to relinquish their JIS certification in the event of a bankruptcy or other business interruptions. [Editor's note: would this include fires and earthquakes?] The logic here seems to be that if the company's management or procedures have been disrupted, they may no longer be able to ensure the quality control necessary for production.

In such cases, a company might wish to temporarily outsource production while it tries to recover from the problem, and the notes pertaining to JIS markings for outsourced production in the previous section would apply.

JIS Certification Tables

We have started adding a JIS Certifications table for the companies listed here, assuming that we are able to discover the information. We hope that this will eventually prove useful for estimating the production dates of some tools.

Tool Identification

Tools that have passed the relevant JIS standards are allowed to include a special marking, as noted below.

Fig. 1 shows the JIS Unicode symbol U+3004 resembling "JIS" in a circle, read from top to bottom and right to left.

We will refer to this symbol as the JIS-Circle logo in the text. This is actually the older version of the JIS symbol and was in use from the 1950s until 2008.

The newer JIS symbol was phased in beginning in 2005 and consists of the text "JIS" with the hook of the "J" extended to a circle. It is not yet available as a Unicode entity.

JIS-Circle Logo

Fig. 2. JIS-Circle Logo.

Fig. 2 shows the JIS-Circle logo as found forged into a tool.

The JIS-Circle mark is stamped on or forged into a tool that has passed the JIS quality standards.

Exploring JIS

The CWC Japanese website is currently doing historical research on JIS certifications, including reconstruction of lost records for the early (1951-1961) era. We think this information is important for understanding the Japanese tool industry and are planning to offer a database of JIS certification data as it becomes available.

Currently the project is in a fairly early stage, and the information we have is partially a mock-up to test the database structure. The links below will offer some "canned" reports, and eventually we will have a free-form query similar to our index query.

• JIS Certified Companies with Factories
• Factories for JIS Certified Companies
• JIS Certification Events by Date
• JIS Certification Events by Successor Company

AIGO Kōgyō

AIGO Kōgyō was a maker of wrenches and other tools operating in Niigata Prefecture, Japan. The company was founded in 1945 and closed in 2011.

In 1945 the company was established as the AIGO Noki Seisakusho (AIGO Agricultural Machinery Works). The founder was Aida Gozaburo, the first syllables of whose name were combined to form AIGO.

In 1958 the company began to make work tools, and in 1960 the name was changed to the AIGO Kōgyō Company, Ltd.

In 1966 the company received JIS certification #366008 for open-end wrenches.

In 1978 the company opened a new factory in Tsukanome, Sanjo City.

Contract Production

In addition to making tools for its own brand, AIGO did extensive contract production for other companies, notably for the "Truecraft" brand of the Daido Corporation U.S.A., as well as other U.S. brands.

AIGO supplied Truecraft combination wrenches probably beginning in the mid 1960s, and flex-box combination wrenches beginning in 1968. Production of Truecraft flex-box combination wrenches continued until the late 1990s or early 2000s.

The company closed in 2011, and its last address was 2153-5 Tsukanome, Sanjo, Niigata.

Our information for the company was found on the CWC Japanese web site.

Trademarks

AIGO registered several Japanese trademarks, as noted in the table below.

The early trademark #35-188 was for an interesting logo used by the company, which consisted of five "5" numerals arranged inside a circle. Five in Japanese is "Go", so this logo could be read as "Go-Go", perhaps a play on the founder's name.

Tool Identification

Tools made by AIGO were typically marked with the AIGO-Oval trademark #40-585.

Contract production by AIGO can sometimes be identified by forged-in codes on the shank. AIGO's codes consist of two lines, with an alphabetic character (typically B, D, or F) on the top line, and two numbers on the lower line.

5-5-Circle Logo

Fig. 3. 5-5-Circle Logo from Japanese Trademark #58-94000.

The scan in Fig. 3 shows the 5-5-Circle logo as it was presented for the Japanese trademark #58-94000.

Selected Tools

We have a number of examples of AIGO's production for the "Truecraft" brand of the Diado Corporation U.S.A., with production dates ranging from the mid 1960s to the early 2000s.

[AIGO] Truecraft 1108 8mm Combination Wrench

Fig. 4. [AIGO] Truecraft 1108 8mm Combination Wrench, with Insets for Back Side, Edge View, and Marking Detail, ca. 1975 to Early 1990s.

Fig. 4 shows an [AIGO] Truecraft 1108 8mm combination wrench with parallelogram panels, stamped with "Truecraft" and the metric size on the front panel, with "Drop Forged Steel" and "Japan" on the back panel.

The shank also has a forged-in code "B 8-85" visible to the left of the back panel, and shown as a close-up in the small inset.

The overall length is 4.2 inches, and the finish is chrome plating with polished faces.

This wrench can be identified as production by AIGO Kōgyō by the forged-in "B 8-85" code. Note that the shank has a small bend near the box end to provide the offset angle.

The numeric model number and plain Truecraft marking suggest production from around 1975 to the early 1990s.

[AIGO] Truecraft B423B 11mm Combination Wrench

Fig. 5. [AIGO] Truecraft B423B 11mm Combination Wrench, with Insets for Back Side, Edge View, and Marking Detail, ca. Late 1960s to 1975.

Fig. 5 shows a Truecraft B423B 11mm combination wrench with parallelogram panels, stamped with "Truecraft" and the metric size on the front panel, with "Drop Forged Tool Steel" and "Japan" on the back panel.

The shank also has a forged-in code "B 11-38" visible to the left of the back panel, and shown as a close-up in the small inset.

The overall length is 5.1 inches, and the finish is chrome plating with polished faces.

This wrench can be identified as production by AIGO Kōgyō by the forged-in "B 11-38" code. Note that the shank has a small bend near the box end to provide the offset angle.

The Truecraft alphabetic-prefix model number suggests production from the late 1960s to around 1975.

AIGO 15mm Combination Wrench

Fig. 6. AIGO 15mm Combination Wrench, with Insets for Back Side, Edge View and marking Detail.

Fig. 6 shows an AIGO 15mm combination wrench with parallelogram panels, stamped with "AIGO" and the metric size on the front panel, with "Forged Alloy Steel" and "Japan" on the back panel.

The shank also has a forged-in code "B 15-3" visible to the left of the back panel, and shown as a close-up in the small inset.

The overall length is 7.0 inches, and the finish is chrome plating with polished faces.

The top inset shows an edge view of the wrench, illustrating the small bend in the shank to provide an offset for the box end.

[AIGO] Truecraft [B434B] 22mm Combination Wrench

Fig. 7. [AIGO] Truecraft [B434B] 22mm Combination Wrench, with Insets for Back Side, Edge View and Marking Detail, ca. Mid to Late 1960s.

Fig. 7 shows a Truecraft [B434B] 22mm combination wrench with parallelogram panels, stamped with "Truecraft" and the metric size on the front panel, with "Drop Forged Tool Steel" and "Japan" on the back panel.

The shank also has a forged-in code "B 22-6" visible to the left of the back panel, and shown as a close-up in the small inset.

The overall length is 11.2 inches, and the finish is chrome plating with polished faces.

This wrench can be identified as production by AIGO Kōgyō by the forged-in "B 22-6" code. One construction detail to note is that the shank has a small bend near the box end.

Note that this wrench is not marked with a model number, but would have been model B434B in Truecraft's alphabetic-prefix model number system. The absence of a model number here is probably accidental, possibly due to a misunderstanding of what markings were required during the early production phase.

[AIGO] Chicago Industrial 9/16 Combination Wrench

Fig. 8. [AIGO] Chicago Industrial 9/16 Combination Wrench, with Insets for Back Side and Edge View.

Fig. 8 shows a Chicago Industrial 9/16 combination wrench with raised oval panels, stamped with "Chicago Industrial" and the fractional size on the front panel, with "Forged Alloy Steel" and "Japan" on the back panel.

The shank also has a forged-in code "F 4-72" visible at the left of the back panel.

The overall length is 6.6 inches, and the finish is chrome plating with polished faces.

The top inset shows a profile view of the wrench, illustrating the bend in the shank to provide an offset for the box end.

This wrench can be identified as AIGO production by the forged-in code "F 4-72", with the "F" code indicating a raised oval panel.

[AIGO] Truecraft B717 17mm Flex-Box Combination Wrench

Fig. 9. [AIGO] Truecraft B717 17mm Flex-Box Combination Wrench, with Insets for Back Side, Edge View and Marking Detail, ca. 1968 to 1975.

Fig. 9 shows a Truecraft B717 17mm flex-box combination wrench with raised oval panels, stamped with "Truecraft" and the metric size on the front panel, with "Chrome Vanadium Drop Forged" and "Japan" on the back panel.

The shank also has a forged-in code "B 17-1" visible to the left of the back panel, and shown as a close-up in the small inset.

The overall length is 10.2 inches fully extended, and the finish is chrome plating with polished faces.

This wrench can be identified as production by AIGO Kōgyō by the forged-in "B 17-1" code.

The alphabetic-prefix model number indicates production up to around 1975.

[AIGO] Truecraft B719B 19mm Flex-Box Combination Wrench

Fig. 10. [AIGO] Truecraft B719B 19mm Flex-Box Combination Wrench, with Insets for Edge View and Back Side Detail, ca. 1968 to 1975.

Fig. 10 shows a Truecraft B719B 19mm flex-box combination wrench with parallelogram panels, stamped with "Truecraft" and the metric size on the front panel, with "Drop Forged Tool Steel" and "Japan" on the back panel.

The shank also has a forged-in code "B 19-2" visible to the left of the back panel, and shown as a close-up in the small inset.

The overall length is 10.3 inches fully extended, and the finish is chrome plating with polished faces.

This wrench can be identified as production by AIGO by the forged-in "B 19-2" code, with the "B" indicating the raised parallelogram panels.

The Truecraft alphabetic-prefix model number indicates production up to around 1975.

[AIGO] Truecraft 1312 3/8 Flex-Box Combination Wrench

Fig. 11. [AIGO] Truecraft 1312 3/8 Flex-Box Combination Wrench, with Insets for Back Side, Edge View, and Marking Detail, ca. 1975 to Early 1990s.

Fig. 11 shows a Truecraft 1312 3/8 flex-box combination wrench with raised oval panels, stamped with "Truecraft" and the fractional size on the front panel, with "Drop Forged" and "Japan" on the back panel.

The shank also has a forged-in code "F 1-9" visible to the left of the back panel, and shown as a close-up in the small inset.

The overall length is 7.4 inches fully extended, and the finish is chrome plating with polished faces.

This wrench can be identified as production by AIGO Kōgyō by the forged-in "F 1-9" code.

The numeric model number and plain "Truecraft" marking suggest production from around 1975 to the early 1990s.

[AIGO] Truecraft 1318 9/16 Flex-Box Combination Wrench

Fig. 12. [AIGO] Truecraft 1318 9/16 Flex-Box Combination Wrench, with Insets for Back Side, Edge View, and Marking Detail, ca. 1994 to Early 2000s.

Fig. 12 shows a later Truecraft 1318 9/16 flex-box combination wrench with raised oval panels, stamped with the "Truecraft" Hex logo and the fractional size on the front panel, with "Drop Forged Truecraft" and "Japan" on the back panel.

The shank also has a forged-in code "F 4-46" visible to the left of the back panel, and shown as a close-up in the small inset.

The overall length is 10.3 inches fully extended, and the finish is chrome plating with polished faces.

This wrench can be identified as production by AIGO Kōgyō by the forged-in "F 4-46" code.

The "Truecraft" Hex logo marking suggests production in 1994 or later.

Asahi Kinzoku Kōgyō (Asahi Metal Industries)

Asahi Kinzoku Kōgyō produces wrenches and other tools under the "Asahi Tools" brand and currently operates in Tsubame, Niigata Prefecture, Japan.

The company began in 1931 as the Miyano Company, a seller of iron pipe fittings operating in Minamidori, Shinmachi, Osaka. [Editor's note: any word on when wrench production began?]

In 1949 the company established Asahi Kinzoku as a spanner specialty distributor, which in 1951 was reorganized to establish the Asahi Kinzoku Company, Ltd.

In 1954 the manufacturing division was separated as the Asahi Kinzoku Kōgyō Company, Ltd. in Fuse City, Osaka Prefecture.

On August 15, 1958 the company received its first JIS certification under standard B4630 for open-end wrenches. (This certification is not mentioned in the company's history.)

In March of 1960 the company relocated its main factory to Yao City in Osaka Prefecture, and in June of 1961 the company received JIS certification. [Editor's note: JIS re-certification due to factory move?]

In 1970 the company established the Shinnihon Tool Company, Ltd. as a sales subsidiary. Shinnihon had its own trademarks and brands for tools, and we're currently checking whether it would have needed JIS certification.

In 1982 Asahi Kinzoku Kōgyō acquired the Sanjo Asahi Company and the Shin-Nihon Forge Company, both in Niigata Prefecture, and shortly afterwards the company moved its head office factory to Yoshida-cho, Nishikanbara-gun, Niigata Prefecture.

A civic reorganization in Niigata later made Yoshida-cho part of the city of Tsubame, and in 2007 the company absorbed its Shinnihon Tool sales subsidiary and consolidated manufacturing and sales with the head office in Tsubame.

Asahi Kinzoku Kōgyō currently offers the Revowave line of tools with ergonomic design, and a LIGHTOOLS line of wrenches with cutout handles to minimize weight.

The company maintains a website (in Japanese, English, and Chinese) at Asahi Tools [External Link]. Our history was adapted from the historical timeline on the Japanese website.

JIS Certifications

The company received a number of JIS certifications for class B4630, as manufacturing took place in multiple factories and each location needed to be certified.

Currently we only have information on certifications for class B4630, but since the company also made box-end wrenches and socket tools, it seems that there should be more certifications for other classes.

Trademarks

Tool Identification

Tools from Asahi Kinzoku Kōgyō are typically marked "Asahi Tools" with the ASH-Hex logo, or with one of the other trademarks noted in the table above.

Note though that "Asahi" is a very popular brand in Japan for everything from beer to newspapers, and there are known to be other "Asahi Tools" markings unrelated to Asahi Kinzoku Kōgyō. Thus the ASH-Hex logo (or another trademark) will be a more reliable indicator of the company's production.

ASH-Hex Logo

Fig. 13. ASH-Hex Logo from Japanese Trademark.

The scan in Fig. 13 shows the ASH-Hex logo as it was presented for the Japanese trademark #44-31483.

The trademark logo intentionally omits the period following the "H", although this final period was sometimes marked on tools.

Fig. 14. ASH-Hex Logo.

Fig. 14 shows the ASH-Hex logo as found forged into the shank of an Asahi Tools 36x41mm Offset Box-End Wrench.

Selected Tools

Asahi Tools 36x41mm Offset Box-End Wrench

Fig. 15. Asahi Tools 36x41mm Offset Box-End Wrench, with Inset for Edge View and Back Side Detail.

Fig. 15 shows an Asahi Tools 36x41mm offset box-end wrench, marked with "Asahi Tools" and the ASH-Hex logo forged into the front, with "Chrome-Vanadium" and a "40-77" code forged into the back side.

The metric sizes are stamped with "41" on the front and "36" on the back.

The overall length is 18.4 inches, and the finish is chrome plating.

The absence of a "Japan" marking on this tool indicates that it was originally produced for the Japanese domestic market.

Kyoto Tool Company (KTC)

The Kyoto Tool Company is a well-known toolmaker offering high quality tools for professional use under the KTC and Nepros brands.

The company was founded in 1950 in Minami-ku, Kyoto and initially manufactured tools for Toyota vehicle toolkits.

By 1951 the company was selling commercial tools, and in 1952 the company moved to Nakagocho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto.

In January of 1953 KTC received JIS certification for open-end wrenches, and on November 22, 1954 received JIS certification for adjustable wrenches.

In 1961 KTC entered an export contract with the Fuller Tool Company in the US, which is known to have included adjustable wrenches, open-end wrenches, and combination wrenches. KTC continued to supply tools to Fuller for many years.

In 1964 the company relocated to 40 Nagata-cho, Shimotoba, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto. [Editor's note: Is this a new factory? Need JIS re-certification?]

In 1970 the company established the Hokuriku KTC Tool Company, Ltd. in Hakui City, Ishikawa Prefecture, which provided additional production capacity.

In 1979 the company relocated production to a factory in Kumiyama-cho, Kuse-gun, Kyoto Prefecture.

In 1984 the company released its line of Mirror tools with a highly polished finish.

In 1985 the company received JIS certification for combination wrenches (class B4651) produced at the Hokuriku factory. [Editor's note: need to add JIS number.]

In 1988 the head office moved to Kumiyama-cho, and the company received JIS certification for adjustable wrenches.

In 1995 the company released the Nepros line of Mirror tools.

In 2003 the KTC Manufacturing Technology Museum was opened to the public.

KTC continues in operation today at Kumiyama-cho, and the company maintains a website (in Japanese and English) at KTC Kyoto Tool [External Link]. Our history was adapted from the historical timeline on the Japanese site.

JIS Certifications

The company received a JIS certification for class B4630 in January of 1953.

Trademarks

Tool Identification

Tools from Kyoto Tool are typically marked with the KTC-Oval symbol consisting of "KTC" inside an oval. This symbol was registered as a US trademark in 1991.

In addition to selling its own brands, the company also provides extensive contract manufacturing services for a number of customers, and KTC-made tools can be found under many other brands.

KTC-Oval Logo

Fig. 16. KTC-Oval Logo from Trademark #1,663,191.

Fig. 16 shows the KTC-Oval logo as it was presented for trademark #1,663,191.

Fig. 17. KTC-Oval Logo from Fuller Wrench.

Fig. 17 shows the KTC-Oval logo, as stamped on a Fuller 3/4 combination wrench shown in a later figure.

Production for Award Tool Company

The figures in this section show examples of KTC's production for the Award Tool Company. Award Tool was founded in 1963 as a reseller of hand tools, and from 1965 onward operated as a subsidiary of the Fuller Tool Company.

[KTC] Award 15/16x1 Open-End Wrench

Fig. 18. [KTC] Award 15/16x1 Open-End Wrench, with Insets for Back Side and Marking Detail, ca. Mid to Late 1960s.

Fig. 18 shows an Award 15/16x1 open-end wrench with depressed oval panels, marked with "Chrome Vanadium" and the fractional sizes forged into the shank, with "Drop Forged" and "Japan" plus the KTC-Oval logo forged into the back side.

The overall length is 11.9 inches, and the finish is chrome plating.

The KTC-Oval logo indicates that the wrench was produced by the Kyoto Tool Company.

[KTC] Award 3/8 Combination Wrench

Fig. 19. [KTC] Award 3/8 Combination Wrench, with Insets for Back Side and Edge View, ca. Mid to Late 1960s.

Fig. 19 shows an Award 3/8 combination wrench with depressed oval panels, marked with "Award" and "Chrome Vanadium" plus the fractional size forged into the shank, with "Drop Forged" and "Japan" plus the KTC-Oval logo forged into the back side.

The overall length is 4.6 inches, and the finish is chrome plating with polished faces.

Production for Fuller Tool Company

The figures in this section show examples of KTC's production for the Fuller Tool Company. KTC's production for Fuller goes back to the early 1960s, and based on KTC's reputation we would expect these to be high quality tools.

We're fortunate to have a number of examples of KTC's production from several generations, beginning with the early depressed oval panels. Tools with parallelogram panels are believed to be next, and these typically have a specific alloy marking of either chrome vanadium or chrome molybdenum.

The more recent production are believed to be the tools with oval panels stamped with "Forged Alloy" or just "Drop Forged".

[KTC] Fuller 11/16x3/4 Open-End Wrench

Fig. 20. Fuller 11/16x3/4 Open-End Wrench, with Inset for Back Side, ca. 1970s to 1980s.

Fig. 20 shows a Fuller 11/16x3/4 open-end wrench with raised oval panels, stamped with "Fuller" and the fractional sizes on the front panel, with "Drop Forged" and "Japan" plus the KTC-Oval logo on the back panel.

The back side of the shank also has a forged-in "F24" code visible at the right.

The overall length is 7.3 inches, and the finish is chrome plating with polished faces.

[KTC] Fuller 3/4x7/8 Open-End Wrench

Fig. 21. Fuller 3/4x7/8 Open-End Wrench, with Inset for Back Side, ca. 1960s.

Fig. 21 shows an early Fuller 3/4x7/8 open-end wrench with depressed oval panels, marked with "*Fuller*" and "Chrome Vanadium" plus the fractional sizes forged into the front, with "Drop Forged" and "Japan" plus the KTC-Oval logo forged into the back.

The overall length is 8.6 inches, and the finish is chrome plating, with extensive losses due to wear and rust.

[KTC] Fuller 15/16x1 Inch Open-End Wrench

Fig. 22. Fuller 15/16x1 Inch Open-End Wrench, with Inset for Back Side, ca. 1970s to 1980s.

Fig. 22 shows a Fuller 15/16x1 inch open-end wrench with parallelogram panels, stamped with "Fuller" and the fractional sizes on the front panel, with "Chrome Molybdenum" and "Japan" plus the KTC-Oval logo on the back panel.

The back side of the shank also has a forged-in code "U02" visible at the right.

The overall length is 11.9 inches, and the finish is chrome plating with polished faces.

[KTC] Fuller 13x15mm Open-End Wrench

Fig. 23. Fuller 13x15mm Open-End Wrench, with Inset for Back Side, ca. 1970s to 1980s.

Fig. 23 shows a Fuller 13x15mm open-end wrench with raised oval panels, stamped with "Fuller" and the metric sizes on the front panel, with "Drop Forged" and "Japan" plus the KTC-Oval logo on the back panel.

The back side of the shank also has a forged-in "F35" code visible at the right.

The overall length is 5.9 inches, and the finish is chrome plating with polished faces.

[KTC] Fuller 17x19mm Open-End Wrench

Fig. 24. Fuller 17x19mm Open-End Wrench, with Inset for Back Side, ca. 1970s to 1980s.

Fig. 24 shows a Fuller 17x19mm open-end wrench with raised oval panels, stamped with "Fuller" and the metric sizes on the front panel, with "Drop Forged" and "Japan" plus the KTC-Oval logo on the back panel.

The back side of the shank also has a forged-in "F79" code visible at the right.

The overall length is 7.1 inches, and the finish is chrome plating with polished faces.

[KTC] Fuller 7/16 Combination Wrench

Fig. 25. Fuller 7/16 Combination Wrench, with Insets for Back Side and Edge View, ca. 1970s to 1980s.

Fig. 25 shows a Fuller 7/16 combination wrench with raised oval panels, stamped with "Fuller" and the fractional size on the front panel, with "Forged Alloy" and "Japan" plus the KTC-Oval logo on the back panel.

The back side of the shank also has a forged-in code "F4" visible at the left.

The overall length is 5.0 inches, and the finish is chrome plating with polished faces and ends.

[KTC] Fuller 1/2 Combination Wrench

Fig. 26. Fuller 1/2 Combination Wrench, with Insets for Back Side and Edge View, ca. 1970s to 1980s.

Fig. 26 shows a Fuller 1/2 combination wrench with raised oval panels, stamped with "Fuller" and the fractional size on the front panel, with "Forged Alloy" and "Japan" plus the KTC-Oval logo on the back panel.

The back side of the shank also has a forged-in code "F6" visible at the left.

The overall length is 5.5 inches, and the finish is chrome plating with polished faces and ends.

[KTC] Fuller 5/8 Combination Wrenches

The next figures show two generations of Fuller 5/8 combination wrenches made by KTC.

Fig. 27. Fuller 5/8 Combination Wrench, with Insets for Back Side and Edge View, ca. 1970s to 1980s.

Fig. 27 shows a Fuller 5/8 combination wrench with raised parallelogram panels, stamped with "Fuller" and the fractional size on the front panel, with "Chrome Molybdenum" and "Japan" plus the KTC-Oval logo on the back panel.

The back side of the shank also has a forged-in "U0" code visible at the left.

The overall length is 7.8 inches, and the finish is chrome plating with polished faces and ends.

Fig. 28. Fuller 5/8 Combination Wrench, with Insets for Edge View and Back Side Detail, ca. 1970s to 1980s.

Fig. 28 shows a Fuller 5/8 combination wrench with raised oval panels, stamped with "Fuller" and the fractional size on the front panel, with "Forged Alloy" and "Japan" plus the KTC-Oval logo on the back panel.

The back side of the shank also has a forged-in "F6" code visible at the left.

The overall length is 7.0 inches, and the finish is chrome plating with polished faces and ends.

[KTC] Fuller 11/16 Combination Wrench

Fig. 29. Fuller 11/16 Combination Wrench, with Insets for Back Side and Edge View, ca. 1970s to 1980s.

Fig. 29 shows a Fuller 11/16 combination wrench with raised parallelogram panels, stamped with "Fuller" and the fractional size on the front panel, with "Chrome Vanadium" and "Japan" plus the KTC-Oval logo on the back panel.

The back side of the shank also has a forged-in "U1" code visible (upside-down) at the left.

The overall length is 8.6 inches, and the finish is chrome plating with polished faces and ends.

[KTC] Fuller 3/4 Combination Wrench

Fig. 30. Fuller 3/4 Combination Wrench, with Insets for Edge View and Back Side Detail, ca. 1970s to 1980s.

Fig. 30 shows a Fuller 3/4 combination wrench with raised parallelogram panels, stamped with "Fuller" and the fractional size on the front panel, with "Chrome Molybdenum" and "Japan" plus the KTC-Oval logo on the back panel.

The back side of the shank also has a forged-in "U4" code visible at the left.

The overall length is 9.5 inches, and the finish is chrome plating with polished faces and ends.

Lobtex Company: Lobster Brand

The Lobtex Company (formerly the Lobster Tool Company) was founded in 1888 with the invention of a two-handed hair clipper, making it one of the oldest tool companies in Japan. Editor's note: where was the first office and factory located?]

In 1923 the Nippon Riki Company, Ltd. was established, and by 1928 the company had begun production of adjustable wrenches and pliers.

On June 28, 1951 the company received JIS certification for monkey (adjustable) wrenches, one of the five companies to first pass the certification test.

In 1971 a new factory in Yao was completed.

In 1990 the forging department became an independent company as the Tottori Lobster Company.

Sometime between 1988 and 1995 the company name changed to the Lobtex Company, Ltd.

The company's website (in English) is at www.lobtex.co.jp [External Link], and an outline of the company's history can be found on the Company History [External Link] page.

JIS Certifications

Trademarks

Nippon Riki received Japanese trademark #294,522 on October 4, 1937.

Tool Identification

Tools made by Lobtex are frequently marked with a distinctive Lobster-Logo, as seen below.

Lobster-Logo

Fig. 31. Lobster-Logo.

Fig. 31 shows the Lobster-Logo as it appears forged into the shank of the New Lobster 200mm Adjustable Wrench in the next figure.

Selected Tools

New Lobster 200mm Adjustable Wrench

Fig. 32. New Lobster 200mm Adjustable Wrench, with Insets for Edge View and Back Side Detail.

Fig. 32 shows a New Lobster 200mm (8 inch) adjustable wrench, marked with "New Lobster" and "Made in Japan" plus the Lobster-Logo forged into the shank, with "Forged Alloy Steel" and the JIS-Circle+H logo forged into the back side.

The overall length is 8.1 inches, and the maximum opening is 1.0 inches. The head thickness was measured at 0.47 inches.

The finish is chrome plating.

Maeda Kinzoku Kōgyō: Tone Company

The Tone Company is a maker of wrenches and socket tools operating in Osaka, Japan.

The company was founded in 1925 as the Maeda Gunji Shoten, a dealer of machine tools in Osaka, Japan.

In 1938 the tool manufacturing division became independent and Maeda Kinzoku Kōgyō was established in Fukae, Higashinari-ku, Osaka. The Fukae location would remain their main factory until 2012.

In 1941 the company registered "TONE" and "Tone" as Japanese trademarks.

On September 6, 1955 the company received JIS certification for socket wrenches (class B4636). Additional JIS certifications were received on January 29, 1963 for box-end wrenches (class B4632) and on February 18, 1964 for open-end wrenches (class B4630).

In 2012 the company opened a new factory in Kawachinagano City, Osaka Prefecture.

In 2013 Maeda Kinzoku Kōgyō changed its name to the Tone Company, Ltd., and the head office and factory relocated to Kawachinagano City, the company's present location.

The company maintains a website (in Japanese) at Tone Tool [External Link].

JIS Certifications

Tool Identification

The company uses "TONE" or "TONE TOOL" as its primary brand, with "TITAN TOOL" and "SUS TOOL" as additional brands.

Tone Tool 22x24mm Offset Box-End Wrench

Fig. 33. Tone Tool 22x24mm Offset Box-End Wrench, with Insets for Edge View and Back Side Detail.

Fig. 33 shows a Tone Tool 22x24mm offset box-end wrench, marked with "Tone Tool" and the metric sizes forged into the shank, with "M45 Cr-V" and "Japan" plus the JIS-Circle logo forged into the back side.

The overall length is 13.1 inches, and the finish is chrome plating.

Note that the markings on the back side have been rotated for readability. (The size markings are repeated on the back, but were omitted from the photograph to avoid confusion after the rotation.)

Tone Tool 24x27mm Offset Box-End Wrench

Fig. 34. Tone Tool 24x27mm Offset Box-End Wrench, with Insets for Edge View and Back Side Detail.

Fig. 34 shows a Tone Tool 24x27mm offset box-end wrench, marked with "Tone Tool" and the metric sizes forged into the shank, with "M45 Cr-V" and "Japan" plus the JIS-Circle logo forged into the back side.

The overall length is 14.1 inches, and the finish is chrome plating.

Note that the markings on the back side have been rotated for readability. (The size markings are repeated on the back, but were omitted from the photograph to avoid confusion after the rotation.)

Meisei (Daido) Tsushō

Meisei Tsushō is the parent company of the Daido Corporation U.S.A., whose "Truecraft" brand became the best known Japanese tool brand in America.

Meisei Tsushō was established in August of 1949 in Chiyoda, Tokyo as an exporter of machinery and fabricated metal products. The Japanese word "tsushō" is commonly translated as "trading company", but as an exporter the company's primary business would have been the marketing and distribution of products from Japanese companies.

In October of 1951 Meisei established the Daido Corporation U.S.A. as a subsidiary in New York City. At that time Daido was only the sixth Japanese company to incorporate in New York in the post-war era.

The choice of the name "Daido" for the subsidiary probably reflects the sponsorship and financial investment of Daido Kōgyō, a Japanese industrial manufacturer of roller chains, chain conveyors, and other metal products. Daido Kōgyō was established in May of 1933 as the Kokumitsu Chain Company and became the Daido Kōgyō Company, Ltd. in 1938.

In 1960 Meisei Tsushō moved its head office to Chuo, Tokyo.

In 1962 Daido U.S.A. acquired the Truecraft Tool Company of Chicago, a small company selling tools such as pliers, adjustable wrenches, and hammers. In June of 1962 Daido announced the opening of the company's Truecraft Tool Division, which over the next four decades would make "Truecraft" the best known brand for Japanese tools. [Editor's note: this is not mentioned in the company's history.]

In April of 1966 Daido U.S.A. moved its headquarters from New York City to a facility in New Jersey with expanded office and warehouse space.

In October of 1971 Meisei opened a subsidiary in Sao Paulo, Brazil as the Daido Corporation Do Brazil Ltda.

In the fall of 1976 Daido U.S.A. acquired a factory in Newark, New Jersey for the purpose of manufacturing screwdrivers, and a trade journal stated that this was its first U.S. based manufacturing facility. [Editor's note: this is not mentioned in the company's history.]

In October of 1977 Daido U.S.A. opened a liason office in Taipei, Taiwan.

Name Change to Daido Tsushō

In April of 1982 Meisei Tsushō changed its name to Daido Tsushō, probably reflecting the growing importance of Daido Kōgyō as a shareholder and production partner.

In August of 1986 Daido U.S.A.'s liason office in Taipei was upgraded to a branch office.

In July of 1995 the Taipei branch office opened a liason office in Taichung, Taiwan. (Taichung is the center of hand tool development and manufacturing in Taiwan. For further information see our article on Lea Way Hand Tool.)

Sometime in the early 2000s Daido U.S.A. closed the Truecraft Tool Division. [Editor's note: this is not mentioned in the company's history.]

In June of 2002 Daido U.S.A. changed its name to Advantech International, Inc., and the company remains in operation today as a provider of automobile, motorcycle, and industrial products, as well as market development services. Further information can be found at the Advantech International [External Link] web site.

(Note that from this point on, references to Daido or the company will mean Daido Tsushō.)

In August of 2005 Daido Tsushō opened a liason office in Germany.

In October of 2005 Daido Tsushō established a subsidiary Daido Corporation China in Shanghai.

In June of 2013 the company acquired ISO 9001 certification.

In October of 2014 the company opened a liason office in Hanoi, Vietnam.

In October of 2017 the company opened a quality control center in Shanghai.

Daido Tsushō continues in operation today, and additional information about the company can be found (in Japanese, English, and Chinese) at the Daido Corporation [External Link] web site. Our history of Meisei Tsushō and Daido Tsushō was developed with information from the CWC Japanese web site and from the company's web site.

For further information on the U.S. operations of Meisei Tsushō, please see our article on the Daido Corporation U.S.A., which has many examples of tools sold under "Truecraft" and other brands.

Trademarks

Most of the trademarks associated with Truecraft were registered in the United States, but Daido Tsushō also registered Japanese trademarks for Truecraft and related brands.