Toho Kōki

Table of Contents

Introduction

The Toho Kōki Company is a Japanese drop-forger and toolmaker best known for its "HIT" brand tools, including Crescent-style adjustable wrenches, pipe wrenches, and bolt cutters.

Company History

The company was established in 1926 by Seiichi Kawakami as the Kawakami Seisakusho, and initially operated in Minato-ku, Osaka as a maker of machine parts.

By 1934 the company was making forged adjustable wrenches, pipe wrenches, and open-end wrenches.

New Factory in Kami

Fig. 1. 1938 Ad for Toho Kōki Adjustable and Pipe Wrenches.

In 1938 the company moved its head office and factory to Kami, Hirano-ku, and reorganized as the Toho Kōki Company, Ltd.

The illustration shows straight and curved "monkey" wrenches and a Trimo-style pipe wrench.

This advertisement shows some of the influences from U.S. and European tool makers on the development of the tool industry in Japan. The "BANKO" adjustable wrench was probably based on models from Bahco in Sweden, and the curved handle wrench is very similar to the Bergman "Queen City" 8 Inch Adjustable Wrench, even down to the square opening at the end of the handle.

The pipe wrench was based on a design from Trimont Manufacturing as seen in the Trimo 18 Inch Pipe Wrench, but this style of wrench was also being produced by Matsusaka Iron Works (MCC), so the influence may have come indirectly.

It's interesting to note that the pipe wrench is marked with "HIT Tool Mfg Co", possibly the first use of "HIT" as a brand.

First JIS Certification

On June 28, 1951 the company received JIS certification 657 for class B4604 (adjustable wrenches), and in this same year began using chrome-molybdenum alloy steel for adjustable wrenches. The record for this certification can be seen in the Monthly Report 1952-01 for Classes B4604 and B4605.

Toho Kōki was one of the first five companies to receive JIS certification for adjustable wrenches.

JIS Certification for Pipe Wrenches

On May 13, 1952 the company received JIS certification 1452 for class B4606 (pipe wrenches). This certification was noted first in a Monthly Report 1952-09 for Classes B4604-B4606 and then in a 1955 JIS Summary for Classes B4604 and B4606. The 1955 Summary noted that the certification was for JIS-H or "Strong" grade.

JIS Strong "H" Class

By around 1954 the company had passed the new JIS "Strong" class testing and added an "H" suffix on certain of its adjustable wrenches. [Editor's note: it seems that there should be a new JIS certificate from around this time.]

Supply Contract with Toyota Motor

At some point Toho Kōki received a major contract to supply adjustable wrenches to the Toyota Motor Company. We haven't yet found the starting date for the contract, but the wrenches themselves are known to have been in production by 1955, if not earlier.

In later years the wrenches were marked with Toho Kōki's "HIT" trademark, so the production by Toho Kōki is not in question.

Examples of Toho Kōki's production can be found in the section on Production for Toyota. We hope to find more information on the Toyota contract, and eventually hope to be able to estimate the production dates for the different generations of wrenches.

JIS Certification for Class B4630

In 1958 the company received JIS certificate 6039 for class B4630 (open-end wrenches). The record for this certification can be seen in the 1962 Certified List for Class B4630. (Note that this early JIS report incorrectly reports JIS 6036 for this certificate.)

Supply Contract with Fuller Tool Company

By the late 1950s it's likely that Toho Kōki had a supply contract for adjustable wrenches with the Fuller Tool Company. Fuller adjustable wrenches in an early style have been observed with the "HIT" trademark, and a Japanese book by a tool industry insider reports an early Fuller contract of an Osaka-based maker of adjustable wrenches.

See the section on Production for Fuller for more information.

Toho Forging Company

In 1961 the forging division became independent as Toho Forging Company, Ltd., with operations in Yamatokoriyama, Nara prefecture, Japan.

Investment by Fuller Orient Corporation

In 1962 Toho Kōki received a $15,000 investment from the Fuller Orient Corporation, the import subsidiary of the Fuller Tool Company. The investment was noted in a 1963 Annual Report on Foreign Capital from the Japanese Department of Trade and Industry.

This investment may have been related to an expansion of the supply contract with Fuller, as in 1962 Toho Kōki began supplying "Dunlap" brand wrenches to Sears Roebuck through Fuller Orient.

The January 9, 1964 issue of "Weekly Japanese Economy" noted that Toho Kōki was exporting directly to the Fuller Orient Corporation, and that exports to the U.S., Asia, and Europe accounted for 20% of the company's sales.

In 1965 the company began a full-scale export program, and its "HIT" brand products became popular in 50 countries around the world.

JIS Certification for Classes B4643 and B4632

On June 18, 1966 the company received JIS certificate 566036 for class B4632 (box-end wrenches). The record for this certification can be seen in the 1967 Certified List for Class B4632.

On the same date the company also received JIS certificate 566035 for class B4643 (bolt cutters).

New Factory in Yamatokoriyama

In 1984 the company began relocating to a new factory in Yamatokoriyama, Nara Prefecture, and as a result all of its JIS certifications were temporarily revoked. The records for these JIS cancellations can be seen in the Monthly Report 1984-04 for Toho Kōki.

By 1985 the new factory was in operation, and on June 13, 1985 Toho Koki regained JIS certification for adjustable wrenches, retaining its original (657) number. The record for this JIS recertification can be seen in the Monthly Report 1985-06 for Toho Kōki.

Outsourced Adjustable Wrenches

By 2000 the company had decided not to continue production of adjustable wrenches, and on July 12, 2000 Toho Koki relinquished its JIS certification for this class. After this point adjustable wrench production was outsourced.

We have observed "Strong HIT" adjustable wrenches marked with JIS 9786, indicating production by Hokuyo Sangyō.

Continuing Operations

Toho Kōki continues in operation today and is located in Yamatokoriyama, Nara prefecture, Japan. The company maintains a website (in Japanese and English) at www.hittools.co.jp [External Link], which provides a page with extensive information on the Company History [External Link].

JIS Certification History

Toho Kōki has a very eventful JIS certification history, including multiple classes of tools, temporary revocations due to a factory move, and even a rare relinquishment.

Factory locations were in Minato-ku (港区) and Kami (加美) in Osaka prefecture, and in Yamatokoriyama (大和郡山) in Nara prefecture.

View Company History with Factories for Toho Kōki.

View JIS Certification Events for Toho Kōki.

Patents

Trademarks

Toho Kōki has several trademarks registered in Japan, including "HITROI", "HITLOY", and a logo with "HIT" in the center of a gear, referred to as the HIT-Gear logo on this site.

The "HITROI" trademark has a curious story. Like most English speakers, when we first saw "HITROI" we were a bit puzzled about the meaning. (HITROI? Hit Roy? Who is Roy, and why would I want to hit him?) But after learning about the "HITLOY" trademark, it all became clear.

In the early 1950s Toho Kōki had started using chrome-molybdenum steel for their wrenches and wanted to get a trademark along the lines of "Bonaloy" or "Armaloy". They were thinking of "HITLOY", but since the Japanese language doesn't have distinct "L" and "R" sounds, when "HITLOY" was written in katakana it was then romanized to "HITROI".

Then after discovering that the "HITROI" trademark didn't evoke any connections with alloy for English speakers, Toho Kōki filed the "HITLOY" trademark shortly afterwards.

Tool Identification

The company used "HIT" as a brand in the pre-war era, and in the early 1950s registered "HITROI" and "HITLOY" as trademarks.

Later adjustable wrenches were typically marked "Strong HIT", with "Strong" emphasizing the JIS-H ("Strong" class) certification.

Tools from Toho Kōki are frequently marked with the HIT-Gear logo.

HIT-Gear Logo

Fig. 2. HIT-Gear Logo.

Fig. 2 shows the HIT-Gear logo forged into a tool.

References and Resources

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

Adjustable Wrenches

Adjustable wrenches were an important product for Toho Kōki and at one point the company was Japan's largest maker of these wrenches.

Construction Details

Fig. 3. Annotated Close-up of Jaw Detail for "Strong HIT" Adjustable Wrench.

Toho Kōki's preferred style of construction for its own brands had a round ("maru") outline for the jaws, with an angled transition at the corner of the fixed jaw.

Fig. 3 shows an annotated close-up of the jaws of the "Strong HIT" 200mm Adjustable Wrench.

This is probably the most popular design for Japanese adjustable wrenches.

Fig. 4. Close-up of "Maru" Jaw Design for "Strong HIT" Adjustable Wrench.

To explain further about the round or "maru" design of the jaws, we added a circle just outside the jaws of the wrench.

Fig. 4 shows the jaws of the "Strong HIT" 200mm Adjustable Wrench with a circumscribed circle.

Note that the red circle closely tracks the outline of the fixed jaw and then covers most of the wrench head.

This is the "classic" design for Japanese adjustable wrenches and was used almost universally until the mid 1960s, when KTC introduced "spear type" jaws for its adjustable wrenches.

Toho Kōki also made wrenches with a rounded transition if the customer requested it. Examples can be seen as the Toyota Motor 250mm Adjustable Wrench and Fuller "HIT" 8 Inch Adjustable Wrench.

Another important construction detail for Toho Kōki is that the pin securing the worm gear is threaded on the outside end. Only one other maker (Nippon Riki/Lobtex) is known to use outside threads, with most makers preferring inside threads.

Since the thread position is not usually visible to customers, there would be no reason for a manufacturer to change its threading style, making this a useful feature for determining the maker of a wrench.

We measured the size of the pin and found that the 10 and 12 inch wrenches use standard metric coarse threads of size M5 (5.0mm) and M6 (6.0mm) respectively. However, for the 8 inch wrench the pin has a 4.25mm diameter at the threads, a non-standard size.

"HITROI" 150mm (6 Inch) Adjustable Wrench

Fig. 5. Hit "HITROI" 150mm (6 Inch) Adjustable Wrench, with Insets for Edge View and Back Side Detail.

Fig. 5 shows a Hit "HITROI" 150mm (6 inch) adjustable wrench, marked with "HITROI" and "Alloy" plus the JIS-Circle+H logo forged into the shank, with "Toho Koki Co." and "Japan" plus the HIT-Gear logo forged into the back side.

The overall length is 6.2 inches, and the finish is chrome plating with polished faces.

"Strong HIT" 200mm (8 Inch) Adjustable Wrench

Fig. 6. "Strong HIT" 200mm (8 Inch) Adjustable Wrench, with Insets for Back Side, Side View, and Construction Detail.

Fig. 6 shows a "Strong HIT" 200mm (8 inch) adjustable wrench, marked with "Strong HIT" and the JIS-Circle+H logo forged into the shank, with "Cr-Mo Drop Forged" and "Japan" plus the HIT-Gear logo forged into the back side.

The shank also has a forged-in code "657" to the right of the JIS logo, which is Toho Koki's original JIS certification number for adjustable wrenches.

The lower inset illustrates the construction of the jaws. Note the angled transition at the corner of the fixed jaw and the corresponding angled cutaway on the movable jaw.

The overall length is 8.2 inches, and the finish is chrome plating, with some losses due to rust.

One construction characteristic to note is that the pin securing the worm gear is threaded on the outside (slotted) end. The diameter of the pin was measured as 4.26mm at the threaded end and 3.94mm at the interior section.

This wrench illustrates Toho Kōki's preferred style of construction, with the angled transition of the fixed jaw, the relatively constant curvature ("maru" style) of the jaw outline, and the ridge around the hanging hole.

Fig. 7. Close-up of Jaw Parts for "Strong HIT" 200mm Adjustable Wrench.

Fig. 7 shows a close-up of the disassembled jaw parts from the "Strong HIT" 200mm adjustable wrench. From top to bottom, the parts consist of the movable jaw, the worm gear, a small spring, and a threaded pin.

Note that the pin is threaded on the outside (slotted) end.

"Strong HIT" 300mm (12 Inch) Adjustable Wrench

Fig. 8. "Strong HIT" 300mm (12 Inch) Adjustable Wrench, with Insets for Back Side and Edge View.

Fig. 8 shows a "Strong HIT" 300mm (12 inch) adjustable wrench, marked with "Strong HIT" and the JIS-Circle+H logo forged into the shank, with "Cr-Mo Drop Forged" and "Japan" plus the HIT-Gear logo forged into the back side.

The shank also has a forged-in code "657" to the right of the JIS logo.

The overall length is 12.3 inches, and the finish is chrome plating, with some losses due to rust.

The "657" code is Toho Koki's original JIS certification number for adjustable wrenches, first received in 1951.

One construction characteristic to note is that the pin securing the worm gear is threaded on the outside (slotted) end. This detail has also been noted on adjustable wrenches made by Nippon Riki (Lobtex).

Wrenches

Hit 21x26mm Offset Box-End Wrench

Fig. 10. Hit 21x26mm Offset Box-End Wrench, with Insets for Edge View and Back Side Detail, ca 1966+.

Fig. 10 shows a Hit 21x26mm offset box-end wrench, marked with the fractional sizes and "HIT" forged into the front, with "Chrome Molybdenum" and the fractional sizes forged into the back side. (The inset shows the markings in their natural upside-down position.)

The shank is also marked with the JIS-Circle logo forged into front.

The overall length is 14.3 inches, and the finish is chrome plating.

The absence of a "Japan" marking on this tool indicates that it was originally produced for the domestic market.

Toho Kōki received JIS certificate 566036 for box-end wrenches (class B4632) in 1966, indicating that this wrench would have been produced in 1966 or later.

Bolt Cutters

Toho Kōki received JIS certificate 566035 for bolt cutters (class B4643) in 1966.

HIT 300mm (12 Inch) Bolt Cutters

Fig. 9. HIT 300mm (12 Inch) Bolt Cutters, ca. 1966+.

Fig. 9 shows a pair of HIT 300mm (12 inch) bolt cutters, marked with "HIT" and "12 Forged Steel" plus the JIS-Circle logo forged into the upper handle, with "300" and "CAP. 5MM 3/16" forged into the lower handle.

The jaw cross-piece is stamped with "HIT" and the JIS-Circle logo on the front, with "Japan" on the back side (not shown).

The overall length is 12.7 inches, and the finish is red paint.

The JIS marking indicates that this tool would have been produced in 1966 or later.

Contract Production for Toyota

Toho Kōki had a major contract with Toyota for production of adjustable wrenches, and numerous examples of these tools can be found marked with "HIT" near the hanging hole. The wrenches were produced in two sizes, 200mm and 250mm.

Early Production

In earlier years Toyota adjustable wrenches were made in a distinctive style with a small raised oval panel near the hanging hole. (The oval panel looks like it was made for a stamped model number, but no such markings have been observed.) Wrenches in this style are known to have been in production by 1955, based on an illustration in a parts manual for the 1955 Toyota model FA truck.

Wrenches with the raised oval panel did not include any apparent maker's marks, but currently all of the examples we've checked can be attributed to Toho Kōki on the basis of outside threads on the pin securing the worm gear.

It's currently an open question as to whether Toho Kōki made all of the early Toyota adjustable wrenches, or if another manufacturer (possibly KTC) began making them and then later turned it over to Toho Kōki. At the present time (early 2025) there is no evidence for Toyota adjustable wrenches made by anyone except Toho Kōki.

Since there is no evidence for production by KTC, some readers may wonder why we're even raising the possibility. There are two reasons, the first of which is that KTC did have a major contract with Toyota for production of tools, including fixed wrenches and pliers. In addition, KTC made adjustable wrenches for Nissan, so why not for Toyota?

The second reason is more technical. For its own production of adjustable wrenches Tohō Kōki usually used an angled transition at the fixed jaw, as can be seen in the section on Toho Kōki Construction Details. But the early production of Toyota adjustable wrenches used a rounded transition at the fixed jaw, which was also the preferred style for KTC, as can be seen in the KTC Construction Details.

The difference in the jaw style could be explained if Toho Kōki had adopted a prior style for continuity, assuming that KTC had started production and then shared it with (or turned it over to) Toho Kōki.

Later Production

In later years a number of changes were made to the Toyota adjustable wrenches, including the addition of a "HIT" marking near the hanging hole, the removal of the Toyota katakana logo, and a change from rounded to angled transitions at the fixed jaw.

We would like to be able to estimate the dates when these various changes occurred, as well as to discover the overall time period for OEM wrench production by Toho Kōki. To assist in this research it would be very helpful if we could find information on the contents of Toyota OEM tool kits by model and year, although it seems unlikely that anyone would have compiled such information.

We have found some information along this line in discussion forums for owners of older Toyota vehicles, and the preliminary indications are that adjustable wrenches were being supplied to at least some Toyota vehicles into the 1980s. The inclusion of an adjustable wrench sometimes depended on the trim level, with vehicles equipped for off-road use more likely to include an adjustable wrench.

If any of our readers have a 1960s to 1980s Toyota vehicle with an adjustable wrench in the tool kit, please let us know via email.

Stylistic Generations of Toyota Motor Adjustable Wrenches

As noted above, the Toyota Motor adjustable wrenches went through a number of production and marking changes over the years, and the following table is an attempt to summarize the changes. At this time we do not have enough information to estimate the production dates, but the table will be extended if such information becomes available.

The production and marking attributes being tracked are as follows:

• Finish. Nickel vs. Chrome plated finish.
• Raised Oval. The presence or absence of a raised oval panel near the hanging hole.
• Katakana Logo. The presence or absence of the Toyota Katakana logo.
• HIT Trademark. The presence or absence of the HIT trademark near the hanging hole.
• Jaw Transition. The style of the transition (rounded or angled) at the fixed jaw.

[Toho Kōki] Toyota Motor 250mm (10 Inch) Adjustable Wrenches

The next two figures show examples of the earliest generations of Toyota adjustable wrenches, with differences in the finish.

Fig. 11. Toyota Motor 250mm Adjustable Wrench, with Insets for Back Side, Side View, and Construction Detail, ca. 1950s?

Fig. 11 shows an early Toyota Motor 250mm adjustable wrench, marked with "Toyota Motor" and the Toyota katakana logo forged into the front, with "250mm Angle Wrench" forged into the back side.

The front of the wrench has a distinctive raised oval panel between "Motor" and the hanging hole, a feature that identifies the early generation of Toyota wrenches.

The middle inset shows a close-up of the jaws to illustrate construction details. Note the rounded transition at the corner of the fixed jaw and the corresponding inset convex cutaway on the movable jaw.

The overall length is 10.2 inches and the maximum opening is 1.1 inches.

The finish is plain steel, with traces of nickel plating.

We disassembled the wrench for cleaning and noted that the pin securing the worm gear is threaded on the outside end.

The absence of a "Japan" marking on this tool indicates that it was originally produced for the Japanese domestic market.

The thin nickel plating on this wrench suggests an early production date. Modern plated chrome finishes typically have three layers, with a copper base followed by nickel and then chromium.

Fig. 12. Toyota Motor 250mm Adjustable Wrench, with Insets for Back Side and Construction Detail, ca. 1960s?

Fig. 12 shows a similar Toyota Motor 250mm adjustable wrench, marked with "Toyota Motor" and the Toyota katakana logo forged into the front, with "250mm Angle Wrench" forged into the back side.

The middle inset shows a close-up of the jaws to illustrate the construction details.

As with the previous example, the front of the wrench has a raised oval panel near the hanging hole.

The overall length is 10.2 inches and the maximum opening is 1.1 inches.

The finish is chrome plating with polished faces. The heavy chrome plating on this wrench suggests a later production date than the previous example shown above.

Referring again to the middle inset, notice that the inner corner of the fixed jaw is rounded, and that the corner of the movable jaw has an inset cutaway with a matching convex radius.

We removed the pin securing the worm gear and confirmed that the pin is threaded on the outside end, a characteristic of Toho Kōki production. The diameter of the pin was measured as 5.00mm at the threaded end and 4.73mm at the interior section.

The absence of a "Japan" marking on this tool indicates that it was originally produced for the Japanese domestic market.

Fig. 13. Close-up of Jaw Parts for Toyota Motor 250mm Adjustable Wrench.

Fig. 13 shows a close-up of the disassembled jaw parts from the Toyota Motor 250mm adjustable wrench. From top to bottom, the parts consist of the movable jaw, the worm gear, a small spring, and a threaded pin.

Note that the pin is threaded on the outside (slotted) end.

As a side note, it's usually possible to determine whether the pin has inside or outside threads without disassembling the wrench. First screw the pin all the way in, then examine the bore carefully, using a magnifying glass if needed.

If the side walls of the bore are smooth, the pin is threaded on the inside; if threads are visible in the bore, the pin is threaded on the outside end.

The close-up of the movable jaw reveals another interesting detail: the small forged-in "S" at the inside corner proves that the inset convex cutaway was created by precision forging rather than a machining step.

Both of the above wrenches use a pin with outside threads to secure the worm gear, which allows us to confirm Toho Kōki as the maker of the wrenches. Most other makers (including KTC) are known to use pins with inside threads.

With Toho Kōki identified as the maker, the use of a rounded transition at the corner of the fixed jaw needs some further discussion. Toho Kōki usually used an angled transition for its own production, as we saw in the section on Construction Details above.

Since the rounded transition is not Toho Kōki's preferred style, it's reasonable to ask why this wrench was made with that particular feature. Our initial assumption was that Toho Kōki was copying the style previously used for Toyota adjustable wrenches, presumably those made by KTC. KTC is known to have preferred the rounded transition, and the jaws of this wrench closely resemble early KTC adjustable wrenches, such as those made as OEM production for Nissan.

Our assumption could be easily tested by comparison with a Toyota Motor adjustable wrench made by KTC, but thus far no such wrenches have been found.

Contract production for Fuller Tool also used rounded transitions, so there may be other reasons for this feature, such as a request from the customer. However, at this point we haven't found a fully satisfactory explanation for this particular feature.

This leads to the following hypothesis: Toyota adjustable wrenches made by KTC look substantially the same as the above example by Toho Kōki, and can be distinguished from Toho Kōki production only by the use of a pin with inside threads.

We would like to test our hypothesis, so if any of our readers have examples of similar Toyota Motor wrenches, please check whether the pin has inside or outside threads and let us know via email.

Contract Production for Fuller Tool

Toho Kōki is known to have had a supply contract for adjustable wrenches with the Fuller Tool Company, based on numerous observations of Fuller wrenches marked with the "HIT" trademark. The contract probably began in the late 1950s, as a Japanese book by a tool industry insider mentions an early Fuller contract with an Osaka-based maker of adjustable wrenches.

In addition, a documented 1962 investment in Toho Kōki by the Fuller Orient Corporation (Fuller's import subsidiary) indicates an ongoing supplier relationship.

[Toho Kōki] Early Fuller "HIT" 8 Inch Thin-Pattern Adjustable Wrench

Fig. 14. Early Fuller No. 8 "HIT" 8 Inch Thin-Pattern Adjustable Wrench, with Insets for Back Side, Side View, and Construction Detail, ca. Late 1950s to Early 1960s.

Fig. 14 shows an early Fuller 8 inch thin-pattern adjustable wrench, marked with "Fuller" and "Drop Forged" forged into the front, with "Thin Pattern" and "Chrome Alloy Steel" forged into the back.

The shank is also marked with "Japan" forged along a curved arc near the hanging hole, with "HIT" along a curved arc on the back side.

The lower inset shows a close-up of the open jaws, illustrating the rounded corner of the fixed jaw and the inset convex cutaway of the movable jaw

The overall length is 8.2 inches, and the maximum opening is 1.0 inches. The finish is chrome plating, with extensive losses due to wear and rust.

We observed that the pin securing the worm gear is threaded on the outside end, a characteristic of production by Toho Kōki.

Several details for this wrench suggest an early production date. The "Thin Pattern" marking is rare for Fuller wrenches and suggests a contrast with a "thick" pattern, presumably a carbon steel (or non-alloy) wrench. We haven't seen a non-alloy Fuller adjustable wrench, but "Thin Pattern" would be a reminder that alloy-steel wrenches are thinner and lighter.

Another detail to note is that the wrench is not marked with "No. <size>", the "model number" marking found on most Fuller adjustable wrenches. In addition, the finish is very thin and is deteriorating, in contrast to the heavy plated chrome finishes typically found on Fuller wrenches.

Based on these marking and construction differences, we think it's plausible that this wrench was made in the late 1950s to early 1960s.

[Toho Kōki] Fuller No. 8 "HIT" 8 Inch Adjustable Wrench

Fig. 15. Fuller "HIT" 8 Inch Adjustable Wrench, with Insets for Back Side, Side View, and Construction Detail.

Fig. 15 shows a Fuller No. 8 8 inch adjustable wrench, marked with "Fuller No. 8" and "Chrome Alloy" forged into the front, and with "Full Drop Forged" forged into the back side.

The shank is also marked with "HIT" forged along a curved arc near the hanging hole, with "JAPAN" forged along a curved arc on the back side.

The lower inset shows a close-up of the open jaws, illustrating the rounded corner of the fixed jaw and the inset convex cutaway of the movable jaw.

The overall length is 8.2 inches, and the maximum opening is 1.0 inches. The finish is chrome plating with polished faces.

The "HIT" marking indicates production by Toho Kōki.

One detail noted for this wrench is that the pin securing the worm gear is threaded on the outside (slotted) end, a characteristic of Toho Kōki production.

Contract Production for Sears Roebuck

As one of the production partners of the Fuller Tool Company, Toho Kōki became a supplier to the Sears "BF" line of tools.

In 1962, prior to the start of the "BF" series, Sears placed a trial order for test marketing and Toho Kōki supplied "Dunlap" brand adjustable wrenches.

[Toho Kōki] Dunlap "Japan" 12 Inch Adjustable Wrench

Fig. 16. Dunlap "Japan" 12 Inch Adjustable Wrench, with Insets for Back Side, Side View, and Construction Detail, ca. 1962.

Fig. 16 shows a Dunlap 12 inch adjustable wrench, marked with the Dunlap oval logo and "Chrome Alloy Steel" forged into the shank, with "Full Drop Forged" and "Japan" forged into the back side.

The center inset shows the construction of the jaws. Note the rounded transition at the corner of the fixed jaw, and the corresponding inset convex cutaway on the movable jaw.

In addition, note the round or "maru" outline of the jaws.

The overall length is 12.1 inches and the maximum opening is 1.4 inches. The finish is chrome plating with polished faces.

We disassembled the wrench for cleaning and verified that the pin securing the worm gear is threaded on the outside end. The pin diameter was measured as 6.05mm at the threaded end and 5.47mm at the interior section.

This wrench has been identified as part of a trial order placed by Sears in 1962 and imported by the Fuller Orient Corporation. At that time Fuller's primary manufacturing partners were Toho Kōki and KTC, and the outside threads on the pin of this wrench identify Toho Kōki as the maker.

The trial order was apparently well received by its customers, and in 1964 Sears began its "BF" series of imported Japanese tools.

[Toho Kōki] Early Sears [30872] "BF" 10 Inch Adjustable Wrench

Fig. 17. Sears [30872] "BF" 10 Inch Adjustable Wrench, with Insets for Back Side, Side View, and Construction Detail, ca. 1964-1965.

Fig. 17 shows an early Sears [30872] 10 inch adjustable wrench, marked with "Sears" and "Chrome Alloy Steel" forged into the front, with "Full Drop Forged" and "BF Japan" forged into the back.

The lower inset shows a close-up of the fully open jaws, illustrating the rounded corner of the fixed jaw and the corresponding inset convex cutaway of the movable jaw. Note also the round or "maru" jaw outline.

The overall length is 10.1 inches and the maximum opening is 1.3 inches. The finish is chrome plating with polished faces.

The pin securing the worm gear is threaded on the outside end, with threads clearly visible in the bore.

The construction of this wrench is very similar to the Dunlap "Japan" 12 Inch Adjustable Wrench made by Toho Kōki In particular, the "maru" outline of the jaws, the ridge around the hanging hole, and the use of outside threads for the pin confirm Toho Kōki as the maker.

This wrench is currently our only example of production by Toho Kōki for the Sears brand. We have a theory that Toho Kōki dropped out as a supplier to Sears at a fairly early stage, but are still gathering evidence before presenting our explanation.

This wrench is not marked with a model number, but the catalogs listed the 10 inch size as model 30872. The absence of a model number suggests production from 1964-1969, and the production by Toho Kōki narrows the estimated date to 1964-1965.