The Truth Tool Company

Table of Contents

Introduction

Truth Tool was an early maker of chisels, punches, and automotive specialty tools, operating in the area around Mankato, Minnesota. The company is probably best known for its chisels and punches, for which it developed great expertise in heat treating steel for optimal properties.

Company History

Truth Tool began around 1915 as a small blacksmith shop run by Arthur E. Cowden in Ellendale, Minnesota. Cowden liked to experiment with making chisels and punches, and soon the demand for these tools was such that he switched entirely to toolmaking. He adopted the name Cowden Truth Tool Company for his toolmaking venture, with the word "truth" emphasizing the element missing from the sales pitches of certain steel salesmen of the time.

Automotive Specialty Tools

The automobile industry was growing rapidly during the early years of the 20th century, and Arthur Cowden recognized the need for specialty tools to assist with various automotive service jobs. Truth Tool began developing a line of automotive specialty tools, and the company prospered as the expanding industry created great demand for automotive service tools.

By March of 1921 the company had outgrown its original facility in Ellendale and had moved to nearby Mankato, a location where they would remain for many years.

Fig. 1. 1921 Advertisement for Truth Tool.

The scan in Fig. 1 shows an early ad for some of the company's tools, as published on page 5 [External Link] of the March, 1921 issue of The Garage Dealer. This is currently our earliest known ad for the company.

The illustration shows a set of chisels and punches, diagonal cutting pliers, a screwdriver, a cold chisel, and specialty pincers.

Fig. 2. 1922 Advertisement for Truth Tool. [External Link]

Fig. 2 shows a slightly later ad for the company's tools, as published on page 3 of the February, 1922 issue of The Garage Dealer.

The illustration shows four types of specialty pliers.

Rueb Kaplan and Owatonna Tool

Around the time of the move to Mankato, Truth Tools hired a young engineer named Rueb Kaplan, who would play an important role in the company's later history.

Kaplan was a very talented tool designer and stayed at Truth Tool only briefly, then moved to nearby Owatonna and founded the Owatonna Tool Company in 1925.

"York" Brand Socket Tools

By 1926 Truth Tool was offering "York" brand sockets and drive tools in 1/2 square and 3/4 hex drive. The York brand was a mystery for quite a while, as no references to these tools have been found except in Truth catalogs from the mid 1920s.

Recently (2024) the maker has been identified as the York Wrench Company of Duluth, Minnesota. York Wrench appears to have been the originator of the universal socket, based on patents by Percy York.

12-Point Box-End Wrenches

By 1928 Truth was offering single-ended box wrenches with 12-point (double-hexagon) openings. Box-end wrenches would soon be regarded as essential tools, but in the late 1920s these wrenches were just starting to become popular for automotive service.

In addition to Truth Tool, early makers of 12-point box-end wrenches included P&C, Plomb, Blue Point, MTF, and Bonney.

Truth's early box wrenches have an unusual shape in which the box end has about the same thickness as the flat shank. This appears to be the result of beginning with a flat strip of metal and then hand forging the offset bends for the box ends.

Tarzen Gear Steel

In 1930 Truth Tool made an important innovation for its older line of punches and chisels. Truth Tool developed a new method of heat-treatment that made it possible to use "Tarzen" gear steel for chisels and punches. The company conducted a famous demonstration whereby a 1/2-inch chisel was driven completely through a 1 inch steel plate, emerging undamaged from the other side. Truth's early catalogs include an illustration of the plate pierced by the chisel, a very effective demonstration of their tool quality.

Truth Socket Tools

After its initial offering of York socket tools, by 1929 Truth was making its own "Cyclone" sockets ("real twisters!") in 3/8 and 1/2-drive.

By 1934 Truth was using chrome-molybdenum steel for its straight-wall sockets in 1/2-drive and tapered-wall sockets in 3/8 drive. Heavy-duty socket tools in 3/4-drive were also available, and the catalog noted that the sockets were hot broached.

Socket tools in the 1 inch drive size were available somewhat after this time.

Acquisition by OTC

In 1950 Truth Tools was acquired by the Owatonna Tool Company (OTC), the company founded by Rueb Kaplan. Truth Tool provided production help to OTC while the latter company moved to a new location.

Later Operations

Under OTC management Truth Tool began to focus on specialty hardware products, and from about 1955 onward Truth Tool became a leading producer of hardware for doors and windows. The company was later renamed as the Truth Hardware Company.

The Truth Hardware Company continues in business today and the company maintains a web site with an interesting Early History [External Link] page. Interested readers are encouraged to visit the company's page for more information.

Patents

We haven't found any patents for Truth Tool.

Trademarks

In 1922 Truth Tool filed a trademark application for the mark "TRUTH" with the first use date listed as 1915, and the trademark was issued as #164,890 on February 27, 1923. The application listed the two members of the company as Arthur E. Cowden and Myrtle L. Cowden, with the company's location given as Mankato, Minnesota. Their products were listed as cold chisels, punches, claw bars, pinchers, pliers, screw drivers, and wrenches.

Tool Identification

Tools made by Truth are generally marked with the company name as "Truth" or "Truth Mankato". In some cases tools may be marked only with model numbers, without the company name, and in such cases identification may depend on catalog references for the models.

References and Resources

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

Truth Hardware maintains a web page at www.truth.com [External Link] with information on the current activities of the company.

Catalog Coverage

Product information was obtained from several Truth Tool catalogs, as summarized in the table below.

Specialty Tools

Examples of the tools produced by Truth Tool are relatively hard to find, as most of the company's production predated 1950. We have been able to acquire some examples however, and will continue to expand this section over time.

Truth Pump Nut Wrench

We'll begin with an early specialty tool, listed in the late 1920s Truth catalogs as a "Pump Nut" wrench.

Fig. 3. Truth Swinging-Jaw Pump Nut Wrench, ca. 1927-1929.

Fig. 3 shows an early Truth pump nut wrench with a swinging jaw, stamped "Truth" on the flat shank. The overall length is 6.4 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

The shank is made of flat bar stock, and the jaw is riveted to the shank loosely enough to swing freely. The light construction suggests an application needing only modest torque. With the jaws parallel, the opening measures about 15/16 inch.

The 1927 catalog listed this as a pump nut wrench, and the 1928 and 1929 catalogs also noted its use as a hub cap wrench. Two sizes were available, a 6 inch version (the present tool) and an 11 inch model. By 1930 this tool had apparently been discontinued, as it is no longer shown in the catalogs.

A very similar wrench is known to have been offered by Plomb Tools, possibly made for them by Truth.

Piston Ring Pliers

Fig. 4. Truth Piston-Ring Pliers, with Inset for Marking Detail, ca. 1929.

Fig. 4 shows a pair of Truth piston-ring pliers, designed to grasp and compress a spring-steel band placed over the piston rings. The pliers are marked with just the Truth name.

The overall length is 10.6 inches, and the finish is cadmium plating.

Currently we don't have an example of the steel bands used with the pliers, but hopefully will find one at some point.

Differential Adjusting Nut Spanner Wrench

Fig. 5. Truth Differential Adjusting Nut Spanner Wrench, with Inset for Marking Detail, ca. 1928.

Fig. 5 shows a Truth spanner wrench for differential gear adjustments, stamped "Truth" on the upper arm.

The overall length is 10.2 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

This tool is listed in the 1928 Truth catalog in the section for Chrysler special tools, where it is recommended for the differential gear adjusting nut on Chrysler and other makes, except for Ford. Somewhat oddly, the tool was not offered in later catalogs.

Two-Jaw Gear Puller with Clamp Nut

Fig. 6. Truth Two-Jaw Gear Puller with Clamp Nut.

Fig. 6 shows a Truth two-jaw gear puller with a tapered clamping nut, stamped "Truth" on the yoke.

The overall length (exclusive of the pressure screw) is 5.7 inches, and the width of the yoke is 3.5 inches. The finish is black oxide.

Striking Tools

Although chisels and punches were a major part of Truth's early production, tools in this category are now difficult to find. This is probably due to the need to periodically regrind or "dress" chisels and punches after hard use, with the result that the tool is eventually worn out and discarded.

Truth 7/64 Pin Punch

Fig. 7. Truth Swinging-Jaw Pump Nut Wrench, ca. 1927-1929.

Fig. 7 shows a Truth 7/64 pin punch, stamped "Truth" on the shank.

The overall length is 5.6 inches, and the finish is black oxide.

Sockets and Drive Tools

Truth was offering sockets and drive tools as early as 1926 under the "York" brand, although just as a reseller for these items. By 1929 sockets of Truth's own manufacture were available under the "Cyclone" brand. (The catalog said they were "Real Twisters"!)

York Wrench Company

The 1926 Truth catalog listed seven pages of "York" socket tools, and for a long time the origin of these tools had been a mystery. Recently (2024) though we learned of the York Wrench Company of Duluth, Minnesota and its York Wrench Manufacturing branch in Chicago, with a product line including universal sockets and wrenches.

Fig. 8A. 1926 Catalog Listing for York "Straight" Socket Set.

The scan in Fig. 8A shows a catalog listing for the York "straight" socket set, as published on page 49 of the 1926 Truth Tool catalog No. 34.

A similar set with universal sockets was also available.

No advertisements for York socket tools have been found, and currently Truth Tool is the only known distributor of the tools. York Wrench is believed to have closed around 1928.

Early York 1/2-Drive 5/8 Hexagonal Socket

Fig. 8. Early York 1/2-Drive 5/8 Hexagonal Socket, with Inset for Broaching Detail, ca. 1926-1928.

Fig. 8 shows a rare 1/2-drive York 5/8 hexagonal socket, marked only with the York name and fractional size.

The finish is plain steel.

Early 1/2-Drive Flex-Head Handle

Fig. 9. Truth Early 1/2-Drive Flex-Head Handle, ca. Late 1920s.

Fig. 9 shows an early Truth 1/2-drive flex-head handle.

The overall length is 10.8 inches, and the finish is black oxide.

R2 1/2-Drive Flex-Head Handle

Fig. 10. Truth R2 1/2-Drive Flex-Head Handle, with Insets for Construction and Marking Detail.

Fig. 10 shows a later 1/2-drive Truth R2 flex-head handle, stamped "USA" on the handle.

The overall length is 15.1 inches, and the finish is polished chrome.

The knurled handle is drilled for a 7/16-diameter cross-bar.

R11A 1/2-Drive Sliding Tee Handle

Fig. 11. Truth R11A 1/2-Drive Sliding Tee Handle.

Fig. 11 shows a Truth R11A 1/2-drive sliding Tee handle, stamped "USA" on the head.

The overall length is 10.0 inches, and the finish is cadmium plating.

Truth R6 1/2-Drive Ratchet

Although Truth tools are frequently found with dull gray cadmium finishes, this next example shows that the company could offer a high-quality chrome plated finish.

Fig. 12. Truth R6 1/2-Drive Ratchet, with Insets for Back Side and Side View.

Fig. 12 shows a 1/2-drive Truth R6 reversible ratchet, stamped "USA" on the back side.

The overall length is 10.9 inches, and the finish is polished chrome.

The back side shank also shows a forged-in marking resembling a "B" enclosing an "S", possibly a mark from a contract forging company.

Truth R6A 1/2-Drive Ratchet

Fig. 13. Truth R6A 1/2-Drive Ratchet, with Inset for Back Side.

Fig. 13 shows a very similar R6A reversible ratchet, not marked with the company name but easily identified by the construction and model number.

The finish is cadmium plating.

R8A 1/2-Drive Speeder

Fig. 14. Truth R8A 1/2-Drive Speeder.

Fig. 14 shows a Truth R8A 1/2-drive speeder, stamped "USA" on the shank.

The overall length is 17.8 inches, and the throw is 3.5 inches. The finish is cadmium plating.

R10 1/2-Drive Extension

Fig. 15. Truth R10 1/2-Drive Extension.

Fig. 15 shows a Truth R10 1/2-drive 10 inch extension.

The overall length is 10.2 inches, and the finish is cadmium plating.

1/2-Drive "Strait-Wal" Double-Hex Sockets

Fig. 16. Truth 1/2-Drive "Strait-Wal" Double-Hex Sockets, with Inset for Broaching.

Fig. 16 shows a group of three 1/2-drive Truth "Strait-Wal" double-hex sockets, marked "USA" with the fractional size. The sizes are, from the left, 3/4, 7/8, and 15/16.

The inset at the top shows the hot-broached construction of the sockets.

The finish is chrome plating.

1/2-Drive "Strait-Wal" 1-1/8 Socket

Fig. 17. Truth 1/2-Drive "Strait-Wal" 1-1/8 Socket, with Inset for Broaching.

Fig. 17 shows another example of the "Strait-Wal" sockets, a 1/2-drive Truth 1-1/8 socket stamped "USA" with the fractional size.

The finish is chrome plating.

The inset shows the hot-broached construction of the socket.

3/4-Drive Tools

By the mid 1930s Truth had begun offering sockets and tools in 3/4 square drive.

3/4-Drive 1-1/4 Socket

Fig. 18. Truth 3/4-Drive 1-1/4 Socket, with Inset for Broaching, ca. 1930s.

Fig. 18 shows a 3/4-drive Truth 1-1/4 double-hex socket, stamped "Truth Mankato Minn" with the fractional size.

The finish is plain steel.

3/4-Drive 1-7/8 Socket

Fig. 19. Truth 3/4-Drive 1-7/8 Socket, with Inset for Broaching, ca. 1930s.

Fig. 19 shows a 3/4-drive Truth 1-7/8 double-hex socket, stamped "Truth Mankato Minn" with the fractional size.

The finish is plain steel.

3/4-Drive 1-7/16 Socket

Fig. 20. Truth 3/4-Drive 1-7/16 Socket, with Inset for Broaching, ca. 1940s.

Fig. 20 shows a 3/4-drive Truth 1-7/16 double-hex socket, stamped "USA" with the size as "1-7-16".

The finish is polished chrome.

3/4-Drive Sliding Tee Handle

Fig. 21. Truth 3/4-Drive Sliding Tee Handle, with Inset for Marking Detail.

Fig. 21 shows a Truth 3/4-drive sliding Tee handle, marked with just the "Truth" name.

The overall length is 20.0 inches, and the finish is cadmium plating.

Wrenches

Truth's early tools were for mostly for special applications, with sizes to perform a specific task. But by the late 1920s the company began to offer wrenches is a range of sizes for general service applications.

By 1928 Truth was offering 12-point box wrenches, a new style made possible by the use of alloy steel.

Fig. 22. 1928 Catalog Listing for Truth 12-Point Box Wrenches.

The scan in Fig. 22 shows a listing for single-ended 12-point box wrenches, as published on page 45 of Truth catalog No. 36 from 1928.

The illustration shows a set of six wrenches with sizes from 7/16 to 3/4 inch.

7/16x1/2 Offset Box Wrench

Fig. 23. Truth 7/16x1/2 Thin Offset Box Wrench, with Inset for Side View.

Fig. 23 shows a Truth 7/16x1/2 offset box wrench, marked with just "Truth" and the fractional sizes.

The overall length is 6.8 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

The top inset shows a profile view of the wrench. Note that the box ends are fairly thin, about the same thickness as the shank.

7/16x1/2 Flex-Box Wrench

The next three figures show examples of early flexible socket wrenches from Truth Tool. Wrenches of this type were listed as early as the 1930 catalog, and the description suggests that this style was quite novel at the time.

The particular examples shown here are probably from around 1935, based on the known dates of other tools in the lot. The tools are in exceptionally good condition, having seen little or no use over the years.

Fig. 24. Truth 7/16x1/2 Flex-Box Wrench, with Inset for Side View, ca. 1935.

Fig. 24 shows a Truth 7/16x1/2 flex-box wrench, marked with just "Truth" and the fractional sizes. This wrench was the smallest of the three models offered in 1930.

The overall length is 7.6 inches, and the finish is a black oxide coating.

Herbrand was also producing flex-box wrenches at a fairly early date, possibly as early as 1931. An example of their flex-box model is the Herbrand 6827 Flex-Box Wrench.

9/16x5/8 Flex-Box Wrench

Fig. 25. Truth 9/16x5/8 Flex-Box Wrench, with Inset for Side View, ca. 1935.

Fig. 25 shows a Truth 9/16x5/8 flex-box wrench, marked with just "Truth" and the fractional sizes.

The overall length is 9.0 inches, and the finish is a black oxide coating.

11/16x3/4 Flex-Box Wrench

Fig. 26. Truth 11/16x3/4 Flex-Box Wrench, with Inset for Side View, ca. 1935.

Fig. 26 shows a Truth 11/16x3/4 flex-box wrench, marked with just "Truth" and the fractional sizes.

The overall length is 10.7 inches, and the finish is a black oxide coating.

1028X 25/32x13/16 Open-End Wrench

Fig. 27. Truth 1028X 25/32x13/16 Open-End Wrench, with Inset for Back Side.

Fig. 27 shows a Truth 1028X 25/32x13/16 open-end wrench, marked with "Chrome Alloy" forged into the shank, with "Made in USA" forged into the back side. The faces are stamped with "Truth" and the model number on the front, with the fractional sizes on the back side.

The overall length is 7.9 inches, and the finish appears to be nickel plating.

T-2 1/2x9/16 Tappet Wrench

Fig. 28. Truth T-2 7/16x1/2 Tappet Wrench, with Inset for Back Side Detail, ca. Mid 1920s.

Fig. 28 shows a Truth T-2 1/2x9/16 tappet wrench, stamped "Vanadium" and "Tappet" with "Sold By Truth" and "Mankato, Minn." in between.

The overall length is 7.1 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

The marking style of this wrench is very similar to the Herbrand "Vanadium Tappet" wrenches of the mid 1920s, suggesting that this tool is likely contract production by Herbrand. The length is shorter than the later examples of the corresponding Herbrand H-2 model, but is close to the length of the earlier "Vanadium Motor Tappet" series. This suggests a production date in the mid 1920s.

1094 3/4x7/8 Tappet Wrench

Fig. 29. Truth 1094 3/4x7/8 Tappet Wrench, with Inset for Back Side.

Fig. 29 shows a Truth 1094 3/4x7/8 tappet wrench, marked with "Made in U.S.A." forged into the shank, with "Chrome Alloy" forged into the back side.

The overall length is 8.9 inches, and the finish is chrome plating.