Klein Tools Inc.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

Industrial Distributors

Klein tools were widely available through industrial distributors.

• Ducommun Catalog "E" 1918. The 1918 catalog "E" from the Ducommun Hardware Company of Los Angeles lists Klein No. 201 lineman's pliers in sizes 6, 7, 8, and 9 inches on page 291, No. 202 diagonal cutters in sizes 5 and 6 inches on page 295, and lineman's splicing clamps on page 299.

• Marshall Auto Supply 1920. The 1920 catalog "A" from the Marshall Auto Supply Company, an automotive distributor in Marshalltown, Iowa, lists four models of Klein pliers on page 224. The listed models are No. 201 lineman's pliers in 6 or 9 inches, the No. 202 6 inch diagonal cutters, the No. 203 6 inch needlenose pliers, and the No. 206 6 inch flat-nose pliers.

• Samuel Harris 1925. The 1925 catalog No. 51 from Samuel Harris & Company of Chicago lists Klein pliers on pages 332, 337, and 344, including models No. 201 lineman's, No. 202 oblique cutters, No. 203 long nose side-cutting, and No. 301 long nose.

• H. Channon 1930. The 1930 catalog No. 101 from the H. Channon Company lists Klein pliers on page 309. The pliers include the No. 201 lineman's pliers in sizes 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 inches, No. 202 diagonal cutters in sizes 5, 5.5, and 6 inches, No. 203 longnose side-cutting pliers in sizes 5 and 6 inches, No. 212 lineman's pliers with sleeve twister in sizes 6, 7, and 8 inches, No. 232 end nippers in sizes 5.5 and 7 inches, and No. 303 longnose plier in sizes 5 and 6 inches.

  Also listed are splicing clamps on page 309, cable clamps on page 310, climbing spikes on page 310, and other lineman's tools on page 311.

• Samuel Harris 1931. The 1931 catalog No. 57 from Samuel Harris & Company of Chicago lists Klein pliers on pages 237-238. The listed models include Nos. 201, 202, 203, 235, 242, 301, and 304.

• H. Channon 1936. The 1936 catalog No. 102 from the H. Channon Company lists Klein pliers on page 179. The pliers include the No. 201 lineman's pliers in sizes 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 inches, No. 202 diagonal cutters in sizes 5 and 6 inches, No. 203 longnose side-cutting pliers in sizes 5 and 6 inches, No. 212 lineman's pliers with sleeve twister in sizes 6, 7, and 8 inches, No. 232 end nippers in sizes 5.5 and 7 inches, and No. 301 longnose plier in sizes 5 and 6 inches.

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".

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 102-48 Splicing Clamp

Fig. 13. Klein 102-48 Splicing Clamp, with Insets for Side View and Marking Detail.

Fig. 13 shows a Klein 102-48 splicing clamp, stamped with the Klein "Climbing Lineman" logo on the face, with the model number on the underside of one handle.

The overall length is 10.7 inches, and the finish is plain steel with polished faces.

This clamp was listed in the 1939 Klein catalog, which notes that it was intended for twisting bare copper wire of gauge Nos. 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8.

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

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

Fig. 14. Klein 68205 11/16x3/4 Ratcheting Box Wrench, with Insets for Side View and Back Side Detail, 1988.

Fig. 14 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 top inset shows the laminated and riveted construction of the wrench.

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

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.