Utica tools pliers

The top inset illustrates the diamond checkered gripping pattern on the handles with a V-shaped opening at the front. Utica introduced this pattern around or These pliers are not marked with the model number, but were identified by the illustration and description in the catalog, which shows this model under the heading "Utica Combination Flat Nose and Burner Plier".

Although designed for more specific uses, this model resembles the lineman's style with the side-cutters and blunt nose. The use of both the 3-Ovals and 3-Diamonds logos with the early gripping pattern suggests transitional production around The pliers are marked only with the Utica 3-Diamonds logo on the underside of the handle, but the model number was identified from early advertisements. The 3-Diamonds marking on this example indicates production sometime after late The smooth non-patterned handles on these pliers help narrow the production date, as Utica began producing patterned handles around Utica advertised this model as "universal" pliers suitable for a wide variety of jobs, and the pliers are equipped with a number of features beyond the basic lineman's design.

The jaws have both flat and rounded serrated gripping surfaces, and the standard side-cutters are backed up by two Button's-pattern cutting slots. Even the handles provide additional features, as one handle offers a flat screwdriver bit while the other functions as a reamer or awl.

The pliers are stamped with the model number and 3-Diamonds logo near the pivot. The top inset shows a side view of the pliers, illustrating the diamond checkered gripping pattern with squared-off ends, a later variant of Utica's handle patterns.

Utica was offering the model No. The top inset shows a side view of the nippers, illustrating the relatively heavy construction and wide handles of these earlier nippers. Note that the handles have the early diamond checkered gripping pattern with a V-shaped opening at the front, a feature introduced in or The top inset shows the relatively heavy construction and wide handles of these earlier pliers. The handles of the pliers have a diamond checkered gripping pattern with squared-off ends, a later variant of Utica's handle patterns.

USA" around the pivot. The next several figures show examples of the Utica series of end nippers, a later model utilizing a new lubricated joint. The "Lubring" marking refers to the Barnes patent 2,, , which describes a method of joint construction to provide continuous lubrication.

Although not marked with a patent pending notation, this pair of pliers is thought to be slightly earlier than the previous two examples, which were clearly marked to indicate the patented status. The top inset shows a side view of the pliers, illustrating the cross-hatched gripping pattern on the handles.

The handles have a cross-hatched gripping pattern with traces of red paint, although the paint is not known to be original. USA" around the pivot, with the "41 6" model on top of the pivot. Although not marked with a model number, these pliers were identified by illustrations in the Utica catalog.

That catalog offered two models of box-joint diagonal cutters, the No. The Utica catalog describes this model as specially designed for aviation applications, with a shorter nose and with the pivot closer to the cutting edges for better leverage. The "Gas and Burner" pattern was a popular style of pliers favored for light-duty plumbing.

This style included one or more rounded gripping areas for use with small pipes, plus a small serrated opening in the tip of the jaws for adjusting oil burners.

See the Utica Pliers below for the jaw detail. The Gas and Burner style was also offered by a number of other manufacturers, and currently we're unsure of when and by whom the pattern was first introduced. Utica was offering the No. The pliers were available in sizes 5, 6, 7, 8, and 10 inches. We'll begin this section with an example believed to represent the earliest gas and burner models.

For" and the 3-Diamonds logo forged into the underside of the handle, as shown in the middle inset. The top inset shows a side view of the pliers, illustrating the diamond checkered gripping pattern on the handles. This gripping pattern began appearing in Utica advertisements in The lower inset shows a close-up of the transitional marking, clearly showing the older "linked chains" form of the Utica logo at the bottom.

The presence of both the linked-chains logo and the successor 3-Diamonds trademark suggests production fairly soon after the introduction of the 3-Diamonds logo in late The estimated manufacturing date can be refined by noting the presence of the diamond checkered gripping pattern on the handles, a feature first advertised in Based on these combined features, we would estimate the production date as late or Another detail to note on these early gas-and-burner pliers is that ends of the handles include a screwdriver point.

This feature appears to have continued into the s, but is not found on later models. This next figure show a rare early version the Utica gas and burner pliers in the smallest standard size.

Note the screwdriver tip on one of the handles. The lower inset shows the forged-in 3-Diamonds logo as it appears on the underside of the handles. The lack of a company marking suggests that this may have been made as contract production, and the plain handles suggest production before The top inset shows a side view of the pliers, illustrating the early diamond checkered gripping pattern on the handles.

Utica introduced this handle pattern in or The middle left inset shows a close-up of the jaws, illustrating the small serrated opening at the tip of the jaws. This is a defining characteristic for the "Gas and Burner" style. The lower inset shows the forged-in 3-Diamonds logo as it appears on the underside of the handles, bracketed by the "Pat. For" marking. The top inset shows a side view of the pliers, illustrating the later diamond checkered gripping pattern on the handles.

The lower inset shows the forged-in 3-Diamonds logo as it appears on the underside of the handles, followed by "App. For" in raised letters. For" forged into the underside of the handles. The markings are shown in the lower inset, which has been rotated for ease of readability. Although not marked with a model number, these pliers were identified by the illustration in a Utica catalog.

The illustration there shows this style of "fashioned" handle with tapered tips, for use as a screwdriver or light-duty prybar. The small lower inset shows the serrations on the jaw, with the longitudinal grooves at the tip characteristic of "burner" pliers. The lower inset shows the small serrated opening in the end of the jaws, a defining characteristic for the "Gas and Burner" style. In addition to the more popular series, Utica also offered the model gas and burner pliers with Button-style wire cutters.

The inset between the handles shows the forged-in 3-Diamonds logo on the underside of the handles, bracketed by "Pat. The model number is not marked on these pliers, but was found by reference to a Utica catalog. The absence of the model number marking suggests early production. The inset shows a close-up of the forged-in 3-Diamonds logo as it appears on the underside of the handles.

Utica offered the No. All sizes had bow handles. These models were available by or earlier , and the catalog recommended them for such applications as jewelry, watchmaking, and electrical work. The overall length is 4. The etched markings show "Utica" and "USA", but are rather difficult to read. These pliers were apparently designed for some specialized application, as the tapered jaws have an angular notch for holding an object.

Currently we don't have a catalog reference for this model. The Utica catalog mentions the use of these pliers in assembly work, though of course many other applications are possible.

The next two figures show examples of the No. This model was not listed in the Utica catalog, but was available in the catalog No. USA" near the pivot, with "Lubring" and "Patented" on the reverse. The "Lubring" marking refers to a patented method of providing continuous lubrication, as described by patent 2,, , issued to W. Barnes in The pivot joint includes a disk of highly compressed but porous powdered iron, which can soak up oil and slowly release it to maintain lubrication for the joint.

These pliers are also marked with another "U. These extra markings are believed to indicate production for a government contract during the wartime years. Since the standard markings on the pliers were in use up until late , the production was likely in The upper inset shows a side view of the pliers to illustrate the squared-off diamond checkered gripping pattern.

The pliers are marked "Utica " and "Utica, N. USA" near the pivot, and the handles are smooth without a gripping pattern. Russell Patent Pliers Also included in Utica's early products were the Russell patent staple-puller pliers, for which it had signed a contract with the Russell Hardware and Implement Company in January of Compound End Nippers Fig.

Introduction of the 3-Diamonds Logo Fig. Patterned Handles Sometime around Utica began offering patterned handles with some of their plier models.

Adjustable Wrenches A "Utica Nippers and Pliers" catalog from about listed numerous models of pliers and related tools such as tin-snips. D, A. Trademarks In the early s Utica used a trademark consisting of three oval chain links enclosing the letters " U TI CA ", very similar to the later 3-Diamonds trademark.

Early 3-Ovals logo. Illustration of linked chain. Signed by W. Pierrepont White, President. Signed by Henry F.

Kellemen, Vice-President. Serial , Manufacturing Dates Utica tools are generally not marked with a date code or other explicit indication of the manufacturing date.

References and Resources Photographs and observations of particular tools are based on items in the Alloy Artifacts collection. Catalog Coverage Product information was obtained from a number of Utica catalogs, as summarized in the table below. Shows 3-Ovals logo on front cover. Lists No. No box-joint slip-joint pliers. Shows 3-Diamonds logo. Some illustrations show gripping pattern on handles. Pliers illustrated with checkered gripping pattern on handles.

New products include No. Came with Price List No. Utica Tools No. Adjustable wrenches in sizes from 4 to 24 inches. Price List No. Both No. Adjustable wrenches illustrated with web-like panel. Full-Size Adjustable wrenches with stamped markings.

Full-Size Division of Kelsey-Hayes. Industrial Distributors Utica tools were available through many industrial and automotive distributors, and the catalogs from these companies offer additional product information.

Advertisements Utica advertised its products in trade journals and popular magazines beginning in the early s. Early Production In this section we'll look at some examples believed represent Utica's early production, with manufacturing dates ranging from up to around Hall's Patent Nippers Among the earliest tools produced by Utica were the Hall's Patent nippers, a popular style of compound-leverage end nippers capable of cutting hardened wire.

Utica [No. Utica Improved Button's Pattern Pliers By Utica had introduced a significant improvement to the Button's style by splitting the cutting slot between the jaws into two angled slots, so that the improved pliers offered four cutting slots.

Utica Early [No. Early Lineman's Pliers Lineman's pliers are an important style of side-cutting pliers, with the name based on their widespread usage among telephone and electric utility line workers. Utica Early No. Utica No. Lineman's Pliers Lineman's pliers are an important subcategory of fixed-pivot pliers characterized by wide blunt-nose jaws and strong side-cutting edges near the pivot.

Early [No. We'll begin with an early 4 inch example, the smallest model of this product line. Utica 7 Inch Lineman's Pliers Fig. Utica 7 Inch Lineman's Pliers, ca. Utica [-8] 8 Inch Lineman's Pliers The Utica series of lineman's pliers was very similar to the 50 series, but produced with plain handles and a slightly less expensive finish.

Early s. Early 8 Inch Lineman's Pliers Fig. Early to Mid s. Early No. End Nippers Utica was offering the model No. Utica Diagonal Cutting Pliers, ca. Mid s to The illustration there shows the distinctive web-like panel on the shank, with "Drop Forged Alloy Steel" forged at the end for the No. Note that by , both the No. The mix of stamped and forged markings suggests that this wrench model was designed for contract production, with the final brand being added after the manufacturing was complete.

The distinctive web-like raised panel on the handle of this wrench has been observed on wrenches marked for Bonney, Herbrand, and Plomb, confirming that all of these companies used Utica as a contract manufacturer at some point. Not unexpectedly, the catalogs of these companies mention the improved handling for square nuts. The front is marked with the 3-Diamonds logo stamped on the panel, with "10 In. The reverse side has "Utica" stamped on the panel, with another "10 In. The wrench has an overall length of This wrench has a plain finish with no trace of prior plating, indicating that this would be a model No.

As with the previous examples, the wrench has a mix of stamped and forged-in markings. The front is marked with the 3-Diamonds logo stamped on the panel, with "12 In. The reverse side has "Utica" stamped on the panel, with another "12 In.

Sometime in the mid s Utica dropped the raised panel design, but continued using forged-in markings on the shank, at least for Utica's own production. Wrenches intended as contract production are believed to have been forged without markings so that customer-specific stamped markings could be added easily. At this time the No. The finish is plain steel. The model number is not marked on this wrench, but was identified as No. Models No. The wrench is not marked with a model number, but was identified as a No.

This is a ruggedly made wrench that has stood up well under very hard service -- the adjusting screw has been practically worn smooth from extensive use. But the jaws still operate smoothly and close tightly, a good indication of a well made tool.

In later years Utica engineers worked on developing locking mechanisms for adjustable wrenches, and at least two patents were issued for their efforts. This next figure shows one of the resulting products. The patent applied notice refers to patent 2,, , filed by W. Barnes et al in and issued in Utica provided contract production for a number of other tool companies. In this section we'll look at examples of Utica tools marked for other companies. Utica produced adjustable wrenches for Plomb Tool in the late s and early s.

See our article on Plomb Adjustable Wrenches for more information. The reverse markings show the model number stamped on the panel but partially disfigured , with "6 In. The Utica catalog has illustrations of adjustable wrenches with a floating panel closely resembling the present example. The use of the web-like panel is documented in the Utica No.

Montgomery Ward sold tools under the Master Quality, Lakeside, and Eclipse brands, with "Master Quality" representing the highest quality and price selections, and Eclipse representing the economy grade tools. There was some variation in the markings for these brands, with "Master Quality" sometimes marked as "Wards Master Quality" or simply "Wards Master". Utica is known to have produced pliers for the Master Quality and Lakeside brands, as the figures below show.

These pliers are nearly identical except for markings to the Utica Angle-Nose Pliers shown in an earlier figure. The middle inset shows a close-up of the jaws, illustrating the two angled cutting slots between the jaws, a characteristic of Utica's Button's pliers.

Utica referred to this model as the No. These pliers are similar to the well-known Utica No. This model was available during the late s and s, but appears to have been discontinued by the s.

The Crawford Fitting Company produced leak-proof tubing fittings under the "Swagelok" trademark, and the company later changed its name to Swagelok. Crawford Fitting also sold a line of clever roller cam ratcheting flare-nut wrenches to work with its fittings, and these are believed to have been made for Crawford by the Utica division of Kelsey-Hayes.

Applications that use tubing and connectors, such as refrigeration and braking systems, frequently require flare-nut wrenches for service. Such wrenches have split box opening that can slip over a tubing line, yet still grip a connecter at more points than an open-end wrench. For efficient operation, it would be desirable to have flare-nut ratchet wrenches, and several types of ratchet mechanisms have been developed for this need. One such ratchet flare-nut tool is illustrated by the Swagelok "Cam-Loc" wrench in Fig.

The Cam-Loc mechanism employs a series of small rollers to line the wrench opening, with the rollers held in place by small guide pins. The wrench opening has been forged so that each roller has room to move in one direction, but is blocked by a rib of the forging in the other direction.

A small spring behind the rollers urges them to remain in contact with the connector. In operation, when the wrench is turned in the selected direction, the rollers lock in position and bear against the flat of the connector, providing a firm grip for turning. But when turned in the opposite direction, the rollers pivot slightly to one side and ride over the vertices of the connector, allowing it to slip freely.

This provides the desired ratchet action. The wrench is marked with "Swagelok" and "Crawford Fitting Co. The "Cleveland" marking indicates production before , when Crawford Fitting moved to Solon, Ohio. A check of the trademark records show that "Swagelok" was originally filed by the Crawford Fitting Co. The wrench appears to be made of an aluminum alloy, making it lighter than might be expected for its size.

The Cam-Loc patent was filed by A. Kavalar and issued in The same inventor later filed the patent for the "Loc-Rite" wrench opening, a design with relieved corners in the broaching to avoid rounding the corners of a connector.

See the Loc-Rite Flare Wrench in a later figure. In attributing the production of this tool to Utica, we note that air-braking systems were one of the major business lines of Kelsey-Hayes, and that this type of tool would have been needed to support the air-brake products. We have also observed similar roller-cam flare wrenches marked for Herbrand, another of the tool brands in the Kelsey-Hayes conglomerate.

The "Lubring" marking and patent notice refer to patent 2,, , issued to W. Barnes in The model pliers were lower cost tools intended for general service and maintenance applications. This particular example is of relatively recent origin; a forged-in triangle symbol can be seen on one handle, probably indicating production after Utica was part of Triangle Tool.

Flare-nut wrenches, for working on air or hydraulic tubing systems, are very familiar in single- and double-flare models. Flare and open-end combination wrenches are available as well, but the flare-box combination is probably unfamiliar to many people. The patent notation is a reference to patent 3,, , filed in and issued in The Loc-Rite brand turns out to be a trademarked name registered to Kelsey-Hayes, the parent company of the combined Utica, Herbrand, and Bonney tool operations at the time.

Kelsey-Hayes is a major industrial manufacturer whose products include braking systems and air brakes for large trucks. In they embarked on a roll-up of tool companies, beginning with Utica Tools, adding Herbrand in , and then acquiring Bonney in This established three of the major old-line tool makers under one roof as the Kelsey-Hayes Tool Division, and their tools are more commonly marked with one of the names Utica, Herbrand, or Bonney.

In Kelsey-Hayes sold the tool division to the Triangle Corporation. To research the patent on this tool, we turn to a Utica catalog that cites the Loc-Rite patent in a discussion of the advantages of Loc-Rite wrenches. The inventor was A. Kavalar, a name some readers will remember from our discussion of the interesting Swagelok Cam-Loc Roller-cam Wrench. Learn More - opens in a new window or tab Any international shipping is paid in part to Pitney Bowes Inc.

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