Alloy Artifacts  

Klein Tools Inc.

[Easel Sign Counter Display from 1926 Catalog]
Easel Sign Counter Display from 1926 Catalog.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Klein Tools is a maker of pliers, nippers and other tools operating in Chicago, Illinois.


Company History

Klein Tools was founded by Mathias Klein in 1857 as a blacksmith shop in Chicago. The company initially operated as M. Klein & Sons and became one of the most respected manufacturers of lineman's tools, including pliers, cutters, and other specialty tools.

[1898 Ad for M. Klein & Sons]
Fig. 1A. 1898 Advertisement for Mathias Klein & Sons. [External Link]

In the late 19th century demand was growing rapidly for electricity and telephone service. Mathias Klein offered specialized products such as wire stretchers, splicing clamps, and climbing spurs for these new industries.

Fig. 1A shows an ad for Mathias Klein & Sons tools, as published on page 4 of the September, 1898 issue of The Electrical Trade.

The illustration shows a splicing clamp on the left and a climbing spur on the right.

The text notes the company address as 87-89 West Van Buren Street in Chicago.

[1921 Ad for M. Klein & Sons]
Fig. 1B. 1921 Advertisement for Mathias Klein & Sons.

Klein's best known product is probably their model 201 Lineman's Side Cutting Pliers, a design featuring heavy-duty jaws with angled facets.

This design practically defined the term "lineman's pliers", and pliers of this design were frequently called "Klein Pattern" when made by other tool manufacturers.

Fig. 1B shows a full-page ad for Mathias Klein & Sons, as published on page 1259 of the EMF Electrical Year Book for 1921.

The illustrations show examples of the company's products for linemen and the electrical trade, including three models of cutting pliers.

Klein Tools, Incorporated

By the 1960s the company had changed its name (or reorganized) into Klein Tools, Incorporated. We haven't found the exact date for the change, but there are a number of references to "Klein Tools, Inc." in the trade press during the 1960s.

In 1968 Klein Tools began a long series of acquisitions with the purchase of the R.H. Buhrke Company.


Continuing Operations

The company continues in operation today as a family-owned business, and its 1857 founding date makes Klein Tools one of the oldest American tool companies remaining in operation. Interested readers can find more information on the Company History [External Link] at their website.


Patents

Klein Tools: Issued and Licensed Patents
Patent No.InventorFiledIssuedNotes and Examples
1,628,744 W. Rose02/21/192705/17/1927 Fish Tape Puller
1,966,593 L. O'Russa06/05/193306/05/1933 Wire Splicing Tool
2,001,541 L. O'Russa06/05/193305/14/1935 Wire Gripping Tool
2,903,790 M.A. Klein, Jr.09/29/195809/15/1959 Long Nose Flush Cutting Pliers

Trademarks

In recent years Klein Tools has been extremely active in trademark registrations, with dozens of entries in the USPTO TESS database. The following table shows some of the more important historical trademarks.

We may be missing at least one important trademark, an early version of the "Climbing Lineman" trademark with "Klein" and "Tools" on the circumference and "Est. 1857" across the bottom.

[1911 Advertisement for M. Klein & Sons]
Fig. 2. 1911 Advertisement for M. Klein & Sons. [External Link]

Fig. 2 shows an ad with this version of the trademark logo, as published on page 14 of the May 13, 1911 issue of the Journal of Electricity.

Since the "Climbing Lineman" design here is the same as that in the registered trademark #89,564 (see table below), it's possible that Klein did not separately register the version with the "Klein Tools" text. The text in the ad notes that the company would start using the mark on January 1 (of 1911), which matches the first use date in the registered trademark.

Klein Tools: Registered Trademarks
Text Mark or Logo Reg. No. First Use Date Filed Date Issued Notes
XELA 89,563 01/15/1910 03/20/1911 12/24/1912 Used for knives, screwdrivers, and other tools.
Early Climbing Lineman Logo 89,564 01/01/1911 03/20/1911 12/24/1912 Early "Climbing Lineman" logo.
Used for pliers and other tools.
Klein-Lok 322,656 12/08/1933 12/21/1933 03/12/1935 Used for lineman's safety straps.
Later Climbing Lineman Logo 548,282 02/11/1950 05/04/1950 09/18/1951 Later "Climbing Lineman" logo.
Used for pliers.
Klein 619,012 01/01/1865 01/17/1955 01/10/1956  
Klein Tools Est. 1857 [logo] 1,630,868 01/01/1974 01/31/1990 01/08/1991 Modern "Climbing Lineman" logo.
Used for safety equipment.
Filed by Klein Tools, Inc.
Modern Climbing Lineman Logo 1,646,650 01/01/1974 01/31/1990 06/04/1991 Modern "Climbing Lineman" logo.
Used for hand tools.
Filed by Klein Tools, Inc.

Tool Identification

Older Klein tools can be identified by the markings "M. Klein & Sons" on the inside of the handles, or by the "Climbing Lineman" trademark stamped on the face. The earlier of the lineman logos (from a 1912 trademark) was used beginning in 1911. Advertisements from 1911 show the "Climbing Lineman" logo with the text "Klein" and "Tools" at the side, with "Est. 1857" across the bottom.

A later version of the lineman logo (from a 1951 trademark) has the text "M. Klein & Sons" at the top and was used beginning in 1950. A still later variant of the logo (from a 1974 trademark) includes "Klein" and "Tools" inside the circle, with the text "Est. 1857" across the center.


Lineman-Circle Logo

[Lineman-Circle Logo]
Fig. 3. Lineman-Circle Logo from Trademark #89,564.

The scan in Fig. 3 shows the Lineman-Circle logo as it was presented for trademark #89,564.


Manufacturing Dates

We were pleased to discover that Klein Tools has a date code system when a reader sent us a reference. It seems that in 2013 Klein ran an "Oldest Pliers" contest and documented their date code system on the entry form. When we checked their web site, we found a similar form for an Oldest Pliers in Canada [External Link] contest with a description of how to decode the date codes on their pliers. The date codes were typically stamped or forged into the underside of the handles.

According to this document, there were actually two date code systems in use over the period from the early 1900s to 1972. The earlier system was a simple "MM-YY" code giving the month and year of production. An example of this early date code system can be seen on our Klein 201 Lineman's Pliers dated to April of 1926.

The later system is more complicated and begins by mapping the 10 characters in "MKLEINCORP" to digits, with M=1, K=2, L=3, E=4, I=5, N=6, C=7, O=8, R=9, and P=0. The production date is then indicated by three letters, with the first one giving the calendar quarter and the next two providing the year after 1900. An example of this second date code system can be seen on our Klein [303] Needlenose Pliers, with an "LEM" code dating the pliers to the third quarter of 1941.

The Klein documents don't explain what system was used after 1972, although one example here suggests that a modified code was still in use. But it's good to know that there is a date code system covering much of the earlier production, and we'll need to go back and check the tools again for possible code markings.


References and Resources

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

Klein Tools remains in business today and interested readers can find information on the Company History [External Link] at their website.


Catalog Resources

Information on the company's older products was obtained from catalog No. 26 dated July 1, 1926. The cover of the catalog shows an older version of the company's "Climbing Lineman" trademark, with "Klein" and "Tools" placed around the circumference and "Est. 1857" across the bottom. The catalog repeats the company motto "Every lineman a Kleinman" on each page.

Klein Tools: Catalog Resources
Catalog Year Format Notes
      Pocket Guide B (1915, Booklet):
Pocket Guide B 1915 Booklet No copyright, undated.
Guide B offered 1915 or later, probably 1915.
Model No. 312 pliers changed to No. 201 by 1916.
Available for Download [External Link] from ITCL.
Lists No. 312 "Diamond Special" side-cutting pliers.
      No. 22 (1926, Full):
No. 22 1926 Full No copyright, dated July 1, 1926. 56 pages.
Available for Download [External Link] from ITCL.
Cover shows older version of "Climbing Lineman" trademark.
Every page repeats motto "Every lineman a Kleinman".
Lists No. 201 side-cutting pliers, sizes 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 inches.
      No. 39 (1939, Full):
No. 39 1939 Full No copyright, issued March 1939.
Includes price list effective April 1, 1939.
Available for Download [External Link] from ITCL.
      No. 106A (1963, Full):
No. 106A 1963 Full Copyright 1963. 44 pages.
Available for Download [External Link] from ITCL.

Industrial Distributors

Klein tools were widely available through industrial distributors.


Lineman's Pliers


Klein 201-8 8 Inch Lineman's Pliers

The Klein No. 201 side-cutting pliers were one of the company's most popular products and practically define the term "lineman's pliers".

[1926 Catalog Listing for Klein No. 201 Side-Cutting Pliers]
Fig. 4. 1926 Catalog Listing for Klein No. 201 Side-Cutting Pliers.

The scan in Fig. 4 shows a catalog listing for the No. 201 side-cutting lineman's pliers, as published on page 9 of the 1926 Klein catalog.

Based on published references in the trade press, the No. 201 pliers were being offered by 1916 under a "Diamond Special" moniker.

Prior to 1916, Klein used a No. 312 model number for the same "Diamond Special" side-cutting pliers.

[Klein No. 201-8 8 Inch Lineman's Pliers]
Fig. 5. Klein No. 201-8 8 Inch Lineman's Pliers, with Insets for Back Side and Side Views, 1926.

Fig. 5 shows a pair of Klein No. 201-8 8 inch lineman's pliers, stamped "M. Klein & Sons" and "Chicago, U.S.A." around the pivot, with the company's "Climbing Lineman" logo partially visible in the center.

One handle is also stamped with "CV" and "4-26" on the underside (see lower inset).

The overall length is 8.4 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

The "4-26" marking is an early date code indicating production in April of 1926.


Klein 201-9NE 9 Inch "New England" Style Lineman's Pliers

The No. 201 pliers were also available in a "New England" style, which featured smoothly rounded curves on the head instead of angular facets.

[Klein 201-9NE 9 Inch New England Style Lineman's Pliers]
Fig. 6. Klein 201-9NE 9 Inch "New England" Style Lineman's Pliers, with Insets for Back Side and Side Views, 1969

Fig. 6 shows a pair of Klein 201-9NE 9 inch lineman's pliers in the "New England" style, stamped "M. Klein & Sons" and "Chicago, U.S.A." around the pivot, with a simplified "Climbing Lineman" logo in the center.

The model number is stamped on the back side face, shown as a close-up in the lower inset.

The overall length is 9.3 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

The underside of the handles have a forged-in code "MNR" (not shown), which according to the Klein date code system indicates production in the first quarter of 1969.


Diagonal Cutters


Klein 202-5 5 Inch Diagonal Cutting Pliers

[Klein 202-5 5 Inch Diagonal Cutting Pliers]
Fig. 7. Klein 202-5 5 Inch Diagonal Cutting Pliers, with Insets for Side View and Back Side Detail.

Fig. 7 shows a pair of Klein 202-5 5 inch diagonal cutters, marked "M. Klein & Sons" and "Chicago, U.S.A.", with the company's "Climbing Lineman" logo in the center.

The overall length is 5.5 inches, and the finish is plain steel.


Klein 220-7 7 Inch Diagonal Cutting Pliers

[Klein 220-7 7 Inch Diagonal Cutting Pliers]
Fig. 8. Klein 220-7 7 Inch Diagonal Cutting Pliers, with Insets for Side View and Back Side Detail.

Fig. 8 shows a pair of Klein 220-7 7 inch diagonal cutters, stamped with "M. Klein & Sons" and "Chicago, U.S.A." around the pivot, with the company's "Climbing Lineman" logo in the center.

The overall length is 7.6 inches, and the finish is plain steel.


Klein D228-8 8 Inch Diagonal Cutting Pliers

[Klein 228-8 8 Inch Diagonal Cutting Pliers]
Fig. 9. Klein D228-8 8 Inch Diagonal Cutting Pliers, with Insets for Back Side and Side View.

Fig. 9 shows a pair of Klein D228-8 8 inch diagonal cutters, marked with "Klein Tools" and "Est. 1857" and the company's "Climbing Lineman" logo near the pivot, with "Wear Eye Protection" below.

The back side is marked "Warning Not Insulated" across the pivot. (The markings are etched rather than stamped and are very difficult to read.)

The overall length is 8.0 inches, and the finish is plain steel.


Needlenose Pliers


Klein 203-6 6 Inch Needlenose Pliers

[Klein 203-6 6 Inch Needlenose Pliers]
Fig. 10. Klein 203-6 6 Inch Needlenose Pliers, with Insets for Side View and Back Side Detail, 1992.

Fig. 10 shows a pair of Klein 203-6 6 inch needlenose pliers, marked "Klein Tools" and "U.S.A." around the pivot, with the company's "Climbing Lineman" logo in the center. The back side is marked with the "203-6" model number.

The overall length is 6.6 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

The handles have a rough finish and were probably originally covered by plastic hand grips.

The underside of the handles have forged-in markings (not shown) of "6.RK" and "C.7RK", which appear to be a date codes, although in a slightly different coding. The "RK" letters would indicate 1992 in the standard date code system, and the other parts probably indicate a month or day.


Klein 203-8 8 Inch Needlenose Pliers with Side Cutters

[Klein 203-8 8 Inch Needlenose Pliers with Side Cutters]
Fig. 11. Klein 203-8 8 Inch Needlenose Pliers with Side Cutters, with Insets for Side View and Back Side Detail.

Fig. 11 shows a pair of Klein 203-8 8 inch needlenose pliers with side cutters, stamped "Klein Tools" and "USA", with the company's "Climbing Lineman" logo in the center. The back side is marked with the "203-8" model number.

The overall length is 8.5 inches, and the finish is plain steel with plastic hand-grips.


Klein [303-6] 6 Inch Needlenose Pliers

[Klein 303-6 6 Inch Needlenose Pliers]
Fig. 12. Klein [303-6] 6 Inch Needlenose Pliers, with Insets for Side View and Marking Detail, 1941.

Fig. 12 shows a pair of Klein [303-6] 6 inch needlenose pliers, marked "M. Klein & Sons" and "Chicago, U.S.A.", with the company's "Climbing Lineman" logo in the center. Note that this logo includes the "Klein Tools" text inside the circle, with "Est. 1857" and "Trade Mark Reg." at the bottom.

The overall length is 6.6 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

The lower inset shows the stamped marking "0-L-EM" on the underside of one handle. The "LEM" letters represent the Klein date code, with the "L" indicating production in the third quarter, and the "EM" indicating 1941.

Although not marked with a model number, these pliers were identified as model 303-6 by a catalog reference. The model 303 needlenose pliers were similar to the Klein 301 long nose pliers, but with a sharper point at the tips of the jaws.


Other Tools


Klein (A&E Manufacturing) 68205 11/16x3/4 Ratcheting Box Wrench

This next figure shows an example of A&E's production for Klein.

[Klein 68205 11/16x3/4 Ratcheting Box Wrench]
Fig. 13. Klein 68205 11/16x3/4 Ratcheting Box Wrench, with Insets for Side View and Back Side Detail, 1988.

Fig. 13 shows a Klein 68205 11/16x3/4 ratcheting box wrench, stamped "Klein Tools, Inc." and "Chi. U.S.A." on the front, with a "Pat. No. 2,500,835" patent notice on the back side.

The overall length is 9.2 inches, and the finish is polished chrome plating.

The top inset shows the laminated and riveted construction of the wrench.

The back side is also stamped with a diamond symbol to the right of the patent notice, which is a stylized "8" date code for 1988 in the Snap-on date code system.

The patent notice cites patent #2,500,835, filed by John W. Lang in 1947 and issued in 1950.


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