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.

In general the standards for hand tools are coded as a four-digit number with a "B" prefix of the form B46xx, with a few minor exceptions.

• Adjustable Wrenches

  • B4604. "Monkey" (Crescent-style) wrenches

  • B4606. Pipe wrenches

• Pliers

  • B4614. Slip-joint combination pliers

  • B4623. Cutting pliers

  • B4624. Round-nose pliers

  • B4625. Diagonal nippers

  • B4626. Water-pump pliers

  • B4631. Radio (needlenose) pliers

  • B4635. Heavy-duty cutting nippers

  • B4643. Bolt Cutters

• Fixed Wrenches

  • B4630. Open-end wrenches

  • B4632. Box-end wrenches

  • B4651. Combination wrenches

• Socket Tools

  • 00225. Provisonal standard

  • B4636. Socket wrenches (12.7 mm square drive)

  • B4636-1. Sockets

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.

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 Numbers

If a company passes the required tests, it receives a certificate with an assigned number, and is then allowed to display that number as proof of certification.

When JIS testing began in the early 1950s the certificate numbers were assigned sequentially, making it possible to estimate a test date by the value of the number.

The numbering system changed in April of 1964 when responsibility for testing and issuing certificates was handed out to nine separate regional offices of MITI. The new numbers had six digits, with the first digit signifying the office as follows.

1. Hokkaido
2. Tohoku
3. Kanto (including Tokyo and Niigata)
4. Chubo
5. Kinki (including Osaka and Kyoto)
6. Chugoku
7. Shikoku
8. Kyushu
9. Okinawa

The second and third digit of the number was the calendar year (in the Western calendar!) when the certificate number was first issued. The last three digits were then sequential, but only within the region.

As part of the new numbering scheme, tests typically applied to multiple classes of tools instead of just a single class. For example, classes B4630 (open-end wrenches), B4632 (box-end wrenches), and B4651 (combination wrenches) were grouped together for testing purposes. Companies would then receive a certificate for one or more of the classes in the group.

The numbering changed again in 2005 when the JQA took over JIS testing in 2005, and numbers issued after this time will have a "JQ" prefix.

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.

ID Marks

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 original inference was that every company must have provided information on its brand markings and symbols at the time of certification. However, we were wrong — the JIS certification process does not capture the ID marks used by a company, and instead these marks are expected to be "well known" by the industry.

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.

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.

JIS Queries

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 as a result are providing a database of JIS certification data as it becomes available.

Currently the project is still in development and the data is incomplete, but the information we have is at least useful as a "proof-of-concept".

The links below will provide some "canned" reports to show the type of information available in the database.

• Company Histories with Factory Locations
• List of Factories by Successor Company
• JIS Certification Events by Date
• JIS Certification Events by Successor Company

Free-Form Search

We've put together an experimental free-form query for JIS events that allows you to search the JIS database for any combination of company name, JIS number, JIS class, or ID mark. You can enter a search in the box below:

The results of the query will show the JIS events (if any) that match all of the input keywords. For example, entering "3064" would show the JIS events having 3064 as the JIS number, and entering "B4604" would show all JIS events for class B4604 (adjustable wrenches).

A few rules for the search to keep in mind:

• A search consists of one or more keywords ("tokens") separated by spaces.
• The search generates a report of the JIS events matching all of the keywords.
• JIS numbers should be entered as a string of digits, with a "JQ" prefix for new numbers.
• JIS classes for tools are in the form B46xx, such as B4604 or B4630.
• Company names can be entered in English or Japanese, and only part of the name is required.
• A name spanning multiple words can be joined by an underscore (_) to make a single token.

Certain ID marks with special graphics like I-Circle are abbreviated as "I○". The 3-Blocks graphic is "▮▮".

Please try out the new JIS search facility, and let us know if you find any problems!

JIS Certification Reports

We have added a "JIS Certifications" section to the company articles for companies known to have passed the certification tests, and these sections include a link to generate a report of the certifications for the company.

We hope that this will eventually prove useful for estimating the production dates of some tools.

JIS Resources

The following archived links have JIS information (in Japanese).

• JIS Tests [External Link]
• JIS Classes [External Link]

AIGO Kōgyō

AIGO Kōgyō was a maker of wrenches and other tools operating in Niigata Prefecture, Japan. The company was founded in 1928 and closed in 2011.

The company was initially founded in 1928 by Gosaburo Aida (相田五三郎) as the Aida Iron Works, and manufactured forged agricultural tools at a factory in Sanjo City, Niigata prefecture.

After the war ended, in 1945 the company became the AIGO Noki Seisakusho (AIGO Agricultural Machinery Works). The name "AIGO" was formed from the first syllables of the founder's name, so that AIda GOsaburo became AIGO.

In 1950 company was listed on the stock market.

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

In 1966 the company received JIS certification #366008 for class B4630 (open-end wrenches), and in 1967 received JIS certification for "H" (heavy-duty) and "S" (spear shaped) wrenches.

New Factory in Niigata

In 1969 the company built a new factory in Niigata. [Editor's note: what was the address?]

In 1973 the company received JIS certification for class B4632 (box-end wrenches), and in 1974 received JIS certification class B4604 (adjustable wrenches) with the "H" (heavy-duty) suffix.

New President

In 1975 Akio Aida (相田明雄) became president after the death of the founder.

New Factory at Tsukanome

In 1977 the company opened a new factory in 2153-5 Tsukanome in Sanjo City, and moved the head office to the new factory location.

In 1978 the company received JIS certification at the new factory.

In 1983 the company installed NC milling machines and other equipment to automate the die-cutting process.

In 1991 the company installed CAD/CAM tools to improve its design capabilities.

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

Our information on the company history was adapted from the CWC Japanese website and from an archived web page of the company's profile.

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.

JIS Certifications

AIGO is known to have received JIS certifications for several classes, including B4604 (adjustable wrenches), B4630 (open-end wrenches), and B4651 (combination wrenches).

Factory locations were in Shinbo (新保) and Tsukanome (塚野目), both in Niigata prefecture.

View Company History with Factories for AIGO Kōgyō.

View JIS Certification Events for AIGO Kōgyō.

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?]

Formation of Asahi Kōgu Seisakusho

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

Asahi Kinzoku Kōgyō with Factory at Fuse

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 JIS certificate 6159 for class B4630 (open-end wrenches). (This certification is not mentioned in the company's history.)

New Main Factory at Yao

In March of 1960 the company relocated its main factory to Yao City in Osaka Prefecture.

In June of 1961 the company received JIS certificate 8177 for class B4630. [Editor's note: JIS re-certification due to factory move?]

Shin Nihon Tool Subsidiary

In 1970 the company established the Shin Nihon Tool Company, Ltd. as a sales subsidiary, and Shin Nihon Tool registered "S.N.T" as a trademark. We're currently checking whether it would have needed JIS certification.

Based on research done by the CWC site, in 1981 Shin Nihon Tool formed the Shin Nihon Forge Company by acquiring a factory from the Kita Nihon Tanzo Company in Niigata City. This set the stage for a merger that brought Asahi to Niigata.

New Factory at Yoshida in Niigata Prefecture

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 Shin Nihon Tool sales subsidiary and consolidated manufacturing and sales with the head office in Tsubame.

Continuing Operations

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 and from the CWC 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. Later certifications covered classes B4632 and B4651.

Factory locations were in Fuse and Yao in Osaka prefecture, and later in Yoshida-cho (now Tsubame) in Niigata prefecture.

View Company History with Factories for Asahi Kinzoku Kōgyō.

View JIS Certification Events for Asahi Kinzoku Kōgyō.

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.

Hattori Spanner Manufacturing

The company was founded in 1918 as the Hattori Hiroshi Iron Works, presumably by the eponymous Hiroshi Hattori (服部廣鐵). The company operated in Aichi prefecture.

By 1941 the company was advertising wrenches, which were typically marked with "TORI" as a brand, although it wasn't registered as a trademark.

Name Change to Hattori Spanner Manufacturing

By 1952 the company name had changed to Hattori Spanner Manufacturing.

Early JIS Certification

Hattori was one of the first seven companies to receive JIS certification for class B4630 (open-end wrenches), for which it received JIS certificate 1979 in November of 1952.

Discontinued Operations

The company is believed to have ceased operations by around 1970.

JIS Certifications

Hattori Spanner is known to have received JIS certification for class B4630 (open-end wrenches).

View Company History with Factories for Hattori Spanner.

View JIS Certification Events for Hattori Spanner.

Hokuyo Sangyo

Hokuyo Sangyo was a maker of wrenches, pliers and other tools operating in Niigata prefecture. The company was closely associated with the Sanjo Machinery Company, its former parent before a 1948 spinoff.

In 1948 the Hokuyo Sangyo Co. Ltd. was formed by a spinoff of the tool division of Sanjo Machinery. One of its first products were wrenches sold under the "SANKI" brand, with production by Sanjo Machinery and sales by Hokuyo Sangyo.

Sanjo Machinery registered "SANKI" as a trademark in 1950.

On June 28, 1951 Sanjo Machinery received JIS certification 655 for class B4604 (adjustable wrenches), and on June 17, 1954 received certification 3195 for B4614 (combination pliers).

On January 13, 1964 Hokuyo Sangyo received JIS certification 9786 for class B4604 (adjustable wrenches) and 9787 for class B4614 (combination pliers). Later on September 15, 1964 the company received 364147 for class B4630 (open-end wrenches).

The JIS certification numbers indicate that Sanjo Machinery had transferred production to Hokuyo Sangyo by 1964 and relinquished its JIS certificates.

In 1968 Hokuyo Sangyo received JIS certification 9786 for class B4604 (adjustable wrenches), and JIS certification 9787 for class B4614 (combination pliers). [Editor's note: was this for a new factory?]

The "SUNKEY" Brand

In 1984 a similar brand "SUNKEY" was registered as a trademark, again by Sanjo Machinery.

By the early 1990s the SUNKEY brand had superseded the SANKI brand.

Discontinued Operations

By 2002 the Hokuyo Sangyo website was no longer available and the company is assumed to have closed.

JIS Certifications

The company is known to have received JIS certification for class B4604, class B4614 (combination pliers) and B4630 (open-end wrenches).

View Company History with Factories for Hokuyo Sangyo.

View JIS Certification Events for Hokuyo Sangyo.

IPS Pliers Company

The company was founded in 1940 as Igarashi Seisakusho in Sanjo City, Niigata.

In 1958 the Igarashi Manufacturing Company, Ltd. was established.

New Factory at Naoecho

By 1962 the company had become the Igarashi Pliers Manufacturing Company, and a new factory was established in Naoecho 2-chome, Sanjo City to increase production.

In 1972 the company passed US Federal Standards and became a supplier to the GSA, then in 1973 received JIS certification. [Editor's note: what classes of tools?]

New Factory at Sakai (坂井)

In 1983 the company built a new factory at 1-4-3 Sakaicho, Mitsuke City in Niigata and then moved its head office to the new facility. At this time the company name was changed to Igarashi Pliers Company, Ltd.

The company received JIS certificate 374078 on February 23, 1983 for class B4614 (combination pliers) at its Sakai factory.

Continuing Operations

In September of 2022 the company changed its name to the IPS Pliers Company, Ltd.

IPS continues in operation today and more information can be found at the IPS Pliers Company [External Link] website. Our history was adapted from the historical timeline on the site.

JIS Certifications

The company is known to have received JIS certification for class B4614 (combination pliers) and B4626 (water-pump pliers).

Factory locations were in Naoecho and Sakai in Niigata prefecture.

View Company History with Factories for IPS Pliers Company.

View JIS Certification Events for IPS Pliers Company.

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 at 38 Hinagajo-cho, Minami-ku in Kyoto City, and initially manufactured tools for Toyota vehicle toolkits.

In 1951 the company moved to 36 Karasuma-cho, Higashikujo in Minami-ku and began manufacturing commercial tools.

New Factory in Nakagocho

In 1952 the company moved to Nakagocho, Nakagyo-ku in Kyoto and built a new factory.

Early JIS Certifications

On November 11, 1952 KTC received JIS certification 1977 for class B4630 (open-end wrenches), and on November 22, 1954 received JIS certification 3523 for class B4604 (adjustable wrenches).

Around September, 1955 the company received JIS certification 4247 in class B4636 (socket wrenches), but the official certification record hasn't been found. (A later certification used this same number.)

[Editor's note: these JIS certifications are not mentioned in the company history.]

Contract Production for Fuller Tool

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

New Factory in Fushimi-ku

In 1964 the company relocated to 40 Shimotori Nagatamachi, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto, and this new factory became designated as a "model factory". [Editor's note: Does this new factory need JIS re-certification?]

Contract Production for Sears Roebuck

By around 1964 KTC had begun supplying tools to Sears Roebuck under the "BF" manufacturer's code administered by the Daido Corporation. Pipe wrenches for the "Sears" brand have been observed marked with the KTC logo and a "BF" code, and the company likely supplied "Craftsman" brand adjustable wrenches as well.

This is an area of active research and we hope to be able to document more examples of KTC's production for Sears.

The Hokuriku KTC Tool Company

In 1970 the company established the Hokuriku KTC Tool Company, Ltd. in Hakui City, Ishikawa Prefecture, which provided additional production capacity. The Hokuriku KTC factory was located at 150-1, Yanagida-cho 70, Hakui City.

New Factory in Kumiyama

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

Nepros Mirror Tools

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 in classes B6404 (adjustable wrenches) and B4606 (pipe wrenches).

The Nepros Line

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

KTC received JIS certifications for classes B4604 (adjustable wrenches), B4630 (open-end wrenches), B4632 (box-end wrenches), B4636 (socket wrenches), B4643 (bolt cutters), and B4651 (combination wrenches).

Factory locations were in Nakagocho, Hokuriku, and Kumiyama-cho.

View Company History with Factories for KTC.

View JIS Certification Events for KTC.

[Editor's note: missing early JIS cert 4247 in class B4636, around September 1955.]

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.

Selected Tools

Currently all of our examples of KTC's tools are contract production for other brands, in particular the Award Tool Company and Fuller Tool Company. These tools are shown in the sections below.

KTC also provided contract production for Sears Roebuck as part of the "BF" manufacturer's code administered by the Daido Corporation. Currently we don't have examples available, but we've seen an online photograph of a Sears 30852 heavy-duty pipe wrench with the KTC-Oval logo and "BF" forged into the jaw.

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 established in 1888 with the invention of a two-handed hair clipper, making it one of the oldest tool companies in Japan.

The company was founded in 1888 by Kanekichi Ito (伊藤兼吉) in Hiraoka, Osaka as the Ito Iron Works. The company manufactured a two-handed hair clipper, which was then sold in a private shop run by the founder.

In 1923 the Nippon Riki Company, Ltd. was established by the merger of the Ito Iron Works and Jibiki Iron Works. The company operated in Hiraoka, Osaka as the maker of barber tools.

By 1928 the company had begun production of adjustable wrenches and pliers. The wrenches were intially produced as malleable iron castings, but then progressed to a partial forging.

The first wrenches were sold under the "RK" brand.

By 1929 the company was selling the partially forged wrenches under the "Lobster" brand, marking the beginning of a long association with crustaceans.

By 1932 the company was making fully-forged adjustable wrenches.

First JIS Certification

On June 28, 1951 the company received JIS certification for class B4604 (adjustable wrenches), one of the five companies to first pass the certification test.

In 1954 the company registered "New Lobster" as Japanese trademark 29-18150. The "New Lobster" adjustable wrenches were made of chrome-moly steel and were certified for JIS-H "Heavy" class.

In 1964 the company filed a U.S. trademark application for "LOBSTER" with a crustacean symbol.

In 1966 the company discontinued making hair clippers to specialize in making tools.

New Factory at Yao

In 1971 a new factory in Yao was completed.

In 1988 the company celebrated its 100th anniversary.

The Tottori Lobster Company

In 1990 the forging department became an independent company as the Tottori Lobster Company (鳥取ロブスターツール). [Editor's note: is Tottori Lobster a factory for NR?]

Name Change to Lobtex

In 1992 the company changed its name to the Lobtex Company, Ltd.

In 1998 production of adjustable wrenches was transferred to the Tottori Lobster Company.

Continuing Operations

The company continues in business today as the maker of a wide variety of tools, including adjustable wrenches, pipe wrenches, combination wrenches, pliers, power tools such as cordless river setters, diamond saw blades, and many other items. The company's head office is at 2-8 Shijo-cho, Higashiosaka City in Osaka Prefecture.

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

Lobtex is known to have received JIS certifications in classes B4604 (adjustable wrenches) and B4630 (open-end wrenches).

The company's factory operated from 1923 to 1971, but the exact location is not known.

View Company History with Factories for LOBTEX.

View JIS Certification Events for LOBTEX.

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 1982.

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).

New Factory in Tondabayashi

In 1982 the company opened a new factory in Tondabayashi City, Osaka prefecture.

In 1988 the company celebrated its 50th anniversary, and Eiji Mada was appointed as president.

In 2003 the company began offering a full line of stainless steel tools.

New Factory in Kawachinagano

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

Name Change to Tone Company

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

TONE is known to have received JIS certifications in classes B4630 (open-end wrenches), B4632 (box-end wrenches), and B4636 (socket wrenches).

The factory locations were in Fukae and Tondabayashi.

View Company History with Factories for TONE Company.

View JIS Certification Events for TONE Company.

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.)

Matsudo Kōgu

The company was founded in 1933 by Takejiro Inoue as the Matsudo Riki Seisakusho and operated in Matsudo, Chiba prefecture. Inoue had previously established the Kikuhide Cutlery Shop, and the new company made knives to be sold at the cutlery shop.

In May of 1934 the company filed a trademark application for a logo with four triangles, and in July of 1935 applied for "MRS", an abbreviation of the company's name.

Name Change to Matsudo Seisakusho

In 1939 the company changed its name to Matsudo Seisakusho and converted to manufacturing tools. Tools were being advertised as early as 1941.

In 1952 the company received JIS certificate 1975 in class B4630 (open-end wrenches), and was one of the first seven companies to receive certification in this class.

Name Change to Matsudo Kōgu

In July of 1955 the company was renamed to Matsudo Kōgo.

In October of 1959 the company received JIS certification for class B4630 (open-end wrenches).

Discontinued Operations

The company is believed to have closed in the early 1960s.

JIS Certifications

Matsudo Kōgu was one of the first companies to receive JIS certification for class B4630 (open-end wrenches).

View Company History with Factories for Matsudo Kōgu.

View JIS Certification Events for Matsudo Kōgu.

Matsusaka Iron Works

The company was established as the Anzai Foundry in 1916 by Tomoyoshi Anzai and operated in Mie prefecture.

Matsusaka Cast-Steel Company

In 1926 the company was renamed as the Matsusaka Cast-Steel Company, and in 1928 the company began production of pipe wrenches and bolt cutters.

In 1931 the company started using "MCC" as a trademark, using the initial letters of its name in English.

In 1948 the company registered Japanese trademarks (on Showa 23.12.3) for "MCC" (#23-6365), "M.C.C." (#23-6367), and "MCC" in a cloud design (#23-6368).

Matsusaka Iron Works Company, Ltd.

In 1952 the company was reorganized as the Matsusaka Iron Works Co., Ltd., and in November of that year the company received JIS certification (possibly 1450?) for adjustable wrenches (B4604) and pipe wrenches (B4606) at its Kaiba factory.

By mid 1954 the company had moved its wrench production to the Minami factory in Matsusaka City and received JIS certification 3064 for classes B4604 and B4606.

In April of 1958 the company received JIS certification 5901 for bolt cutters (B4643) at the Minami factory.

On December 16, 1964 the company received JIS certification for adjustable wrenches (B4604) at its Tsu factory in Mie prefecture. [Editor's note: the status of JIS certification for pipe wrenches (B4606) is uncertain; possibly the move to Tsu was delayed?]

In April of 1967 the company received JIS certification for bolt cutters (B4643) at the Tsu factory, with the same number (5901) as the 1958 certification. Also, in December of that year the company began offering rebar cutters.

In April of 1979 the company established a US subsidiary MCC USA Inc. in Los Angeles.

In August of 1980 the forging operations were relocated to the Kumoide factory at 1349 Kumoide Nagatsune-cho, Tsu City. [Editor's note: JIS certification needed?]

In May of 2008 the company obtained ISO9001 certification.

The company's current head office and factory is at 1814 Takachaya Komori-cho, Tsu City, Mie prefecture. Additional information can be found at the MCC [External Link] website.

JIS Certifications

Matsusaka Iron Works is known to have received JIS certifications for several classes, including B4604 (adjustable wrenches), B4606 (pipe wrenches), and B4643 (bolt cutters).

Factory locations were in Kaiba, Minami, and Tsu City, all in Mie prefecture.

View Company History with Factories for Matsusaka Iron Works.

View JIS Certification Events for Matsusaka Iron Works.

Selected Tools

Currently we don't have any MCC tools available for display, but have observed a number of examples in online photographs.

One of our readers sent a photo of a heavy-duty (Ridgid-pattern) pipe wrench made for the "Globemaster" brand with a forged-in "MCC" marking.

We observed a photo on an online site showing a heavy-duty (Ridgid-pattern) pipe wrench with the "MCC" oval logo forged into the head, and with the handle marked with the JIS symbol and "3064".

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.