Maeda Kinzoku Kōgyō/Tone Company

Table of Contents

Introduction

The Tone Company, previously known as Maeda Kinzoku Kōgyō (前田金属工業), is a maker of wrenches and socket tools operating in Osaka, Japan.

Background information on the Japanese tool industry can be found in our page on Japanese Tool Makers.

Company History

The company was founded in 1925 as the Maeda Gunji Shoten (前田軍治商店) and operated as a dealer of machine tools in Fukushima Ward, Osaka City (大阪/福島区).

One of their initial products were "Merry" brand pliers made by Muromoto Iron Works.

In August of 1932 the company moved to the Tatsumichibori section of Osaka (大阪/立売堀), an area with many metal industries.

Establishment of Maeda Kinzoku Kōgyō

In 1938 the tool manufacturing division became independent with the establishment of Maeda Kinzoku Kōgyō (前田金属工業) in Fukae, Higashinari-ku, Osaka (大阪/東成区深江). The Fukae location would remain their main factory until 1982.

TONE Trademark

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

In the post-war era Maeda Kinzoku Kōgyō was re-established with Gunji Maeda (前田軍治) as president.

JIS Certifications for Socket Tools

On September 6, 1955 the company received JIS certification 4248 for class B4636 (sockets). The record for this certification can be seen in the 1955-09 Monthly Report for JIS 4248. By 1958 the certification had been extended to class B4637 (extensions) as well.

On April 8, 1958 the company received JIS certification 5900 for socket tools in classes B4638 (spinner handles), B4640 (sliding Tee handles), and B4641 (ratchet handles). The record for this certification can be seen in the 1958 Certified List for Classes B4638, B4640, and B4641.

JIS Certifications for Wrenches

On January 29, 1963 the company received JIS certificate 9181 for box-end wrenches (class B4632). The record for this certification can be seen in the Aggregated Monthly Reports for 1963-05.

On February 18, 1964 the company received JIS 9883 for open-end wrenches (class B4630). The record for this certification can be seen in the Aggregated Monthly Reports for 1964-05. A later summary report shows this certification with suffixes "N", "H", and "S".

Civic Reorganization for Fukae

In 1970 Fukae-higashi and Fukae-kita merged in a civic reorganization, and as a result the address of the Fukae factory changed to 3-14-3 Fukae-kita (大阪市東成区深江北３丁目１４番３号).

New Factory in Tondabayashi

In 1982 the company opened a new factory at 3-3-6 Wakamatsucho Higashi, Tondabayashi City in Osaka Prefecture.

The older factory at Fukae remained in operation after Tondabayashi opened.

JIS Certification at Tondabayashi

On June 15, 1984 the company received JIS certification 584030 for class B4636 (sockets) at the Tondabayashi factory. The record for this certification can be seen in the Aggregate Monthly Report for Maeda B4636.

JIS Cancellation at Fukae

After the company received JIS certification for sockets at Tondabayashi, on June 17, 1985 the earlier certification for class B4636 at Fukae was cancelled. The record for the cancellation can be seen in the Monthly Report 1985-10 for JIS 4248.

The Fukae factory continued to produce tools in classes B4637 (extensions) and B4639 (universal joints).

50th Anniversary

In 1988 the company celebrated its 50th anniversary, and Eiji Maeda (前田英治) was appointed as president.

Stainless Steel Tools

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 (大阪府河内長野市).

After the factory at Kawachinagano opened, the old factory at Fukae was closed.

Name Change to Tone Company

In 2013 Maeda Kinzoku Kōgyō changed its name to the Tone Company, 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].

Patents

Trademarks

Fig. 1. 1940 Trademark Application for "TONE".

Fig. 1 shows the 1940 Japanese trademark application for "TONE" with a wave design.

JIS Certification History

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.

Background information on the JIS program can be found in our article on Japanese Industrial Standards.

Tool Identification

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

References and Resources

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

Catalog Resources

Socket Tools

By the mid 1950s the company had received JIS certification for sockets and socket tools formed an important part of their product line.

Tone No. 310 1/2-Drive Sliding Tee Handle

Fig. 2. Tone No. 310 1/2-Drive Sliding Tee Handle, with Insets for Bottom View and Marking Detail.

Fig. 2 shows a Tone No. 310 1/2-drive (12.7mm) sliding Tee handle, stamped with "Tone" and "Japan" plus the JIS-Circle logo on the handle bar.

The overall length is 9.9 inches, and the finish is chrome plating.

This tool was acquired as part of a Tone No. 1650M socket set consisting of a sliding Tee handle, an extension, and eight sockets.

Open-End Wrenches

Production of Tone open-end wrenches can be grouped into three generations. The first generation was characterized by a slightly rounded shank with forged-in markings and was in production by early 1960s.

The second generation featured recessed oval panels with forged-in markings, with separate panels for the sizes. This design was in production by 1968 and continued into the 2010s.

The third generation featured a shallow recessed dart-like panel in the center, with stamped markings for the sizes. Production of the third generation probably began in the 2010s.

Wrenches of the first and second generation were generally marked for JIS, although Tone also offered an "L" series of long wrenches that were outside of the JIS specificiations.

Tone [28M] 23x26mm Open-End Wrench

This next figure shows an example of a first-generation open-end wrench.

Fig. 3A. Tone [28M] 23x26mm Open-End Wrench, with Inset for Back Side, ca. Mid 1960s to 1970s.

Fig. 3A shows a Tone [28M] 23x26mm open-end wrench, marked with "Tone" in a wave design and the JIS-Circle logo forged into the front, with "Cr-V Steel" forged into the back.

The overall length is 9.1 inches, and the finish is chrome plating, with minor losses due to rust.

The JIS marking refers to JIS 9883, first received by the company in 1964.

This style of wrench was illustrated in the company's 1968 catalog, and this size was listed as model 28M.

Second-Generation Open-End Wrenches

By the late 1960s the company was producing open-end wrenches in the second-generation design with recessed oval panels.

The second-generation wrenches were initially produced by Tone itself, but in later years were produced by a number of partner companies, which can be identified by the presence of a JIS ID mark. Thus far we have observed wrenches produced by Asahi Kinzoku ("AK"), Hiramatsu Kōgyō ("HK"), Kita Nihon Tanzō ("KN"), Kobayashi Kōgu ("KB"), Showa Supana ("SS"), and Top Kōgyō ("TK"). There may be other makers not yet observed.

One production quirk noted for the second generation is that the markings on the back were frequently upside-down when the wrench is turned over, for production by Tone and some of the partner companies. [Editor's note: your editor finds this orientation annoying.]

Somewhat curiously though, Kita Nihon Tanzō, Showa Supana, and Top Kōgyō arranged their forging dies to keep the markings in the same orientation.

Another production quirk is that the brand was sometimes marked as "Tone Tool" or "Tone-Tool", and sometimes as just "Tone".

Tone [S-1012] 10x12mm Open-End Wrench

Fig. 3. Tone [S-1012] 10x12mm Open-End Wrench, with Inset for Back Side, 1987.

Fig. 3 shows a Tone [S-1012] 10x12mm open-end wrench with oval recessed panels, marked with "Tone" and "S" plus the JIS-Circle logo forged into the front panel, with "Cr-V Steel" forged into the back panel.

The wrench is also marked with the metric sizes forged into recessed panels on both sides, and with an "87H" code forged into the front.

The overall length is 4.9 inches, and the finish is polished chrome plating.

The "S" marking is the prefix for the model number, which the Tone catalogs listed as S-1012 for this size.

The absence of any ID marks confirms that this wrench was made by Tone itself, and the JIS marking refers to JIS 9883, first received by the company in 1964.

The "87H" code is believed to be a date code for 1987.

Tone Tool [S-1417] 14x17mm Open-End Wrench

Fig. 4. Tone Tool [S-1417] 14x17mm Open-End Wrench, with Inset for Back Side (Rotated), 1972.

Fig. 4 shows a Tone Tool [S-1417] 14x17mm open-end wrench with oval recessed panels, marked with "Tone Tool" forged into the front panel, with "S" and the JIS-Circle logo plus "Cr-V" forged into the back panel. (The markings are upside-down when the wrench is turned over, so we have rotated the inset for readability.)

The wrench is also marked with the metric sizes forged into recessed panels on both sides, and with a "972" code forged into the back.

The overall length is 6.4 inches, and the finish is polished chrome plating.

The "S" marking is the prefix for the model number, which the Tone catalogs listed as S-1417 for this size.

The absence of any ID marks confirms that this wrench was made by Tone itself, and the JIS marking refers to JIS 9883, first received by the company in 1964.

The "972" code is believed to be a month/year date code for 1972.

Tone Tool [LS-0810] 8x10mm Long Open-End Wrench

Tone also offered open-end wrenches in a long format, which was designated as the "LS" model series.

Fig. 5. Tone Tool [LS-0810] 8x10mm Long Open-End Wrench, with Inset for Back Side (Rotated).

Fig. 5 shows a Tone Tool [LS-0810] 8x10mm long open-end wrench with oval recessed panels, marked with "Tone Tool" forged into the front panel, with "LS" and "Cr-V" plus "Japan" forged into the back panel. (The markings are upside-down when the wrench is turned over, so we have rotated the inset for readability.)

The wrench is also marked with the metric sizes forged into recessed panels on both sides, and with a "23" code forged into the back.

The overall length is 5.3 inches, and the finish is polished chrome plating.

The "LS" marking is the model number prefix for the long format series of open-end wrenches. The Tone catalogs listed this size as model LS-0810.

Since the long format wrenches did not meet the dimensional specifications for the JIS B4630 standard, the LS-series wrenches did not bear a JIS marking.

Tone [S-5.507] "KN" 5.5x7mm Open-End Wrench

The next two figures show examples of Tone open-end wrenches made by Kita Nihon Tanzō, a tool maker operating in Niigata prefecture.

Fig. 6. Tone [S-5.507] "KN" 5.5x7mm Open-End Wrench, with Inset for Back Side, ca. 1972-1981.

Fig. 6 shows a Tone [S-5.507] 5.5x7mm open-end wrench with oval recessed panels, marked with "Tone" and "S" plus the JIS-Circle logo forged into the front panel, with "Cr-V Steel" and a small "KN" code forged into the back panel.

The wrench is also marked with the metric sizes forged into recessed panels on both sides.

The overall length is 3.9 inches, and the finish is chrome plating with polished faces.

The "KN" code is the JIS ID mark for Kita Nihon Tanzō, and the JIS marking refers to JIS certificate 372165, first received by the company in 1972.

The "S" marking is the prefix for the model number and may also signify "spear-type" jaw openings.

Tone [S-1417] "KN" 14x17mm Open-End Wrench

Fig. 7. Tone [S-1417] "KN" 14x17mm Open-End Wrench, with Inset for Back Side, ca. 1972-1981.

Fig. 7 shows a Tone [S-1417] 14x17mm open-end wrench with oval recessed panels, marked with "Tone" and "S" plus the JIS-Circle logo forged into the front panel, with "Cr-V Steel" and a small "KN" code forged into the back panel.

The wrench is also marked with the metric sizes forged into recessed panels on both sides.

The overall length is 6.5 inches, and the finish is chrome plating with polished faces.

The "KN" code is the JIS ID mark for Kita Nihon Tanzō, and the JIS marking refers to JIS certificate 372165, first received by the company in 1972.

The "S" marking is the prefix for the model number and may also signify "spear-type" jaw openings.

Tone Tool [S-1012] "KB" 10x12mm Open-End Wrench

This next figure shows an example of production by Kobayashi Kōgu.

Fig. 8. Tone Tool [S-1012] "KB" 10x12mm Open-End Wrench, with Inset for Back Side (Rotated).

Fig. 8 shows a Tone [S-1012] 10x12mm open-end wrench with oval recessed panels, marked with "Tone Tool" forged into the front panel, with "Cr-V" and "Japan" plus "S" and the JIS-Circle logo forged into the back panel. (The markings are upside-down when the wrench is turned over, so we have rotated the inset for readability.)

The wrench is also marked with the metric sizes forged into recessed panels on both sides, and with a "KB045" code forged into the back panel.

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

The "KB" code indicates production by Kobayashi Kōgu, and the JIS marking refers to JIS certificate 380242.

The "S" marking is the prefix for the model number and may also signify "spear-type" jaw openings.

Tone Tool [S-1113] "KB" 11x13mm Open-End Wrench

Fig. 9. Tone Tool [S-1113] "KB" 11x13mm Open-End Wrench, with Inset for Back Side (Rotated).

Fig. 9 shows a Tone [S-1113] 11x13mm open-end wrench with oval recessed panels, marked with "Tone Tool" forged into the front panel, with "S" and "Cr-V" plus and the JIS-Circle logo and "Japan" forged into the back panel. (The markings are upside-down when the wrench is turned over, so we have rotated the inset for readability.)

The wrench is also marked with the metric sizes forged into recessed panels on both sides, and with a "KB046" code forged into the back panel.

The overall length is 5.3 inches, and the finish is polished chrome plating.

The "KB" code indicates production by Kobayashi Kōgu, and the JIS marking refers to JIS certificate 380242.

The "S" marking is the prefix for the model number, which was listed in the Tone catalogs as S-1113 for this size.

Tone Tool [S-1214] "HK" 12x14mm Open-End Wrench

This next figure shows an example of production by Hiramatsu Kōgyō.

Fig. 10. Tone Tool [S-1214] "HK" 12x14mm Open-End Wrench, with Inset for Back Side (Rotated), ca. Late 1990s to 2006.

Fig. 10 shows a Tone Tool [S-1214] 12x14mm open-end wrench with oval recessed panels, marked with "Tone Tool" forged into the front panel, with "S" and the JIS-Circle logo plus "Cr-V" and "Japan" forged into the back panel. (The markings are upside-down when the wrench is turned over, so we have rotated the inset for readability.)

The wrench is also marked with the metric sizes forged into recessed panels on both sides, and with an "HK049" code forged into the back panel.

The overall length is 5.4 inches, and the finish is polished chrome plating.

The "HK" code indicates production by Hiramatsu Kōgyō, but currently we don't have a record of the JIS certificate for the company. The older JIS marking would indicate production before 2007.

The "S" marking is the prefix for the model number, which was listed in the Tone catalogs as S-1214 for this size.

Tone Tool [S-1719] "HK" 17x19mm Open-End Wrench

Fig. 11. Tone Tool [S-1719] "HK" 17x19mm Open-End Wrench, with Insets for Back Side (Rotated) and Marking Detail, ca. 2007-2014.

Fig. 11 shows a Tone Tool [S-1719] 17x19mm open-end wrench with oval recessed panels, marked with "Tone Tool" and "Japan" forged into the front panel, with "S" and "Cr-V" plus the New-JIS-Circle logo and "JQA" forged into the back panel. (The markings are upside-down when the wrench is turned over, so we have rotated the inset for readability.)

The wrench is also marked with the metric sizes forged into recessed panels on both sides, and with an "HK108" code forged into the back panel, as seen in the small inset.

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

The "HK" code indicates production by Hiramatsu Kōgyō, but currently we don't have a record of the JIS certificate for the company. The newer JQA JIS marking would indicate production in 2007 or later.

The "S" marking is the prefix for the model number, which was listed in the Tone catalogs as S-1719 for this size.

Tone [S-1012] "SS" 10x12mm Open-End Wrench

Fig. 12. Tone [S-1012] "SS" 10x12mm Open-End Wrench, with Inset for Back Side, ca. Mid 1960s to 1987.

Fig. 12 shows a Tone [S-1012] 10x12mm open-end wrench with oval recessed panels, marked with "Tone" and "S" plus the JIS-Circle logo forged into the front panel, with "Cr-V Steel" and "SS" forged into the back panel.

The wrench is also marked with the metric sizes forged into recessed panels on both sides, and with a "66" code forged into the front panel at the right.

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

The "SS" code indicates production by Showa Supana, and the JIS marking refers to JIS certificate 1974, first received by the company in 1952.

The "S" marking is the prefix for the model number, which was listed in the Tone catalogs as S-1012 for this size.

Tone Tool [LS-2123] "TK" 21x23mm Long Open-End Wrench

Fig. 13. Tone Tool [LS-2123] "TK" 21x23mm Long Open-End Wrench, with Inset for Back Side.

Fig. 13 shows a Tone Tool [LS-2123] 21x23mm long open-end wrench with oval recessed panels, marked with "Tone-Tool" and "Japan" forged into the front panel, with "Cr-V Steel" and "T.K" forged into the back panel.

The wrench is also marked with the metric sizes forged into recessed panels on both sides.

The overall length is 9.6 inches, and the finish is polished chrome plating.

This wrench is part of the Tone long-format LS-series, which do not meet JIS specifications for class B4630 due to the extra length.

The "T.K" marking identifies the maker as Top Kōgyō, which used "TK" as its JIS ID mark. (Note though that the usage here is technically not a JIS ID mark, since the wrench is not JIS-certified.)

Box-End Wrenches

Tone Tool [M45-2224] 22x24mm Offset Box-End Wrench

Fig. 14. Tone Tool [M45-2224] 22x24mm Offset Box-End Wrench, with Insets for Edge View and Back Side Detail.

Fig. 14 shows a Tone Tool [M45-2224] 22x24mm offset box-end wrench, marked with "Tone Tool" and the metric sizes forged into the shank, with "M45" and "Cr-V" plus the JIS-Circle logo and "Japan" 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.)

The "M45" marking is the prefix for the model number, which was listed in the Tone catalogs as M45-2224 for this size.

The JIS marking refers to JIS certificate 9181 for class B4632, first received by the company in 1963.

Tone Tool [M45-2427] 24x27mm Offset Box-End Wrench

Fig. 15. Tone Tool [M45-2427] 24x27mm Offset Box-End Wrench, with Insets for Edge View and Back Side Detail.

Fig. 15 shows a Tone Tool [M45-2427] 24x27mm offset box-end wrench, marked with "Tone Tool" and the metric sizes forged into the shank, with "M45" and "Cr-V" plus the JIS-Circle logo and "Japan" 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.)

The "M45" marking is the prefix for the model number, which was listed in the Tone catalogs as M45-2427 for this size.

The JIS marking refers to JIS certificate 9181 for class B4632, first received by the company in 1963.

Pliers

Tone 200mm (8 Inch) Combination Pliers

Fig. 17. Tone 200mm Combination Pliers, with Insets for Back Side, Side View, and Marking Detail, ca. 1970s to 1980s?

Fig. 17 shows a pair of Tone 200mm combination pliers, stamped with the Tone "Wave" logo and JIS-Circle logo plus "371007" on the handle.

The pliers are also marked with "Made in Japan" and "NI-3" forged into the underside of the handles.

The top inset shows a side view of the pliers, illustrating the chevron (or herringbone) gripping pattern on the handles.

The overall length is 8.0 inches, and the finish is chrome plating.

The "371007" marking identifies the maker as Niigata Kōki, a maker of pliers in Sanjō City, Niigata prefecture.