Tool Talk

Wrench Forum => Wrench Forum => Topic started by: Carl Wagner on February 24, 2014, 08:12:09 PM

Title: Early first edition Vice Grips found at auction.
Post by: Carl Wagner on February 24, 2014, 08:12:09 PM
A trip to Oklahoma this weekend netted me these two beautys. If you know what these sell for on ebay then you'll know that the $25 each I paid was almost criminal.
Title: Re: Early first edition Vice Grips found at auction.
Post by: EVILDR235 on February 24, 2014, 08:34:21 PM
Are they marked VISE GRIP ?

EvilDr235
Title: Re: Early first edition Vice Grips found at auction.
Post by: lbgradwell on February 24, 2014, 08:36:41 PM
Awesome score Carl!

1921 & 1924, I believe...

Can you post some nice, clear close-ups of both?
Title: Re: Early first edition Vice Grips found at auction.
Post by: Carl Wagner on February 24, 2014, 09:27:56 PM
Here are a couple more.
Title: Re: Early first edition Vice Grips found at auction.
Post by: Carl Wagner on February 24, 2014, 09:31:37 PM
More.
Title: Re: Early first edition Vice Grips found at auction.
Post by: lbgradwell on February 24, 2014, 10:20:56 PM
Great stuff!

Thanks for the photos...
Title: Re: Early first edition Vice Grips found at auction.
Post by: mvwcnews on February 25, 2014, 07:36:37 PM
A trip to Oklahoma this weekend netted me these two beautys. ....
A classic case of a poorly advertised sale of a substantial collection.   And they didn't have any provision for absentee bidders.   Not such a good deal for the seller.

Title: Re: Early first edition Vice Grips found at auction.
Post by: Carl Wagner on February 25, 2014, 07:43:04 PM
About 99% of what was there was fairly common. Average Coes and PS&W wooden handles. There was a large crowd. The seller made out fairly well considering the amount of everyday tools that brought good money.
Title: Re: Early first edition Vice Grips found at auction.
Post by: Plyerman on February 25, 2014, 07:50:35 PM
Great score there Carl! I've never seen either one of those before.
Title: Re: Early first edition Vice Grips found at auction.
Post by: DM11 on March 01, 2014, 12:51:54 PM
25.00 each. I'm speechless............................Okay I've come to again. Great score there. Thanks for the pics
Title: Re: Early first edition Vice Grips found at auction.
Post by: Carl Wagner on March 01, 2014, 01:07:11 PM
I'm a collector of farm wrenchs. So ill fuel that habit by selling these. 131124743375 is the item number on ebay for the early pair.
Title: Re: Early first edition Vice Grips found at auction.
Post by: scottg on March 01, 2014, 03:05:12 PM
 I kind of noticed the Vise Grip phenomenon. But I can't figure it out.
 These earliest ones I understand, but there is a whole lot I don't.
Are there any research resources for these? Is anyone writing about it?
 I see some insane prices, but only partly. Some selling though the roof and others not at all.
  I found an early "patent applied for" pair of vise grip seaming pliers in good condition recently, and they sold for bupkis. I should have just kept them to use.
    I see some stuff that was made practically yesterday that actually sold for high values? Plastic handle stuff going over 100??

How does anyone know what to look for and what to sell for?
  Is it just a crazy random fad like Beanie Babies that will crash in a few months?
   yours Scott
Title: Re: Early first edition Vice Grips found at auction.
Post by: Carl Wagner on March 01, 2014, 04:44:58 PM
I was amazed when I saw an early set sell. My good friend Robert (Rustyandweathered on ebay) has filled me in on these. I have no idea why they sell as high as they do. But you look for the style like the two in this thread. Any of the others bring next to nothing. CW
Title: Re: Early first edition Vice Grips found at auction.
Post by: mvwcnews on March 01, 2014, 05:10:08 PM
I kind of noticed the Vise Grip phenomenon. But I can't figure it out.
 These earliest ones I understand, but there is a whole lot I don't.
Are there any research resources for these? Is anyone writing about it?

How does anyone know what to look for and what to sell for?
  Is it just a crazy random fad like Beanie Babies that will crash in a few months?
   yours Scott
Can't speak to the fad part.  The company is now part of a multinational conglomerate & the original manufacturing plant is empty.
The first ones were made from drop forged parts; the family owned company gradually evolved them into stamped sheet metal bodies with forged jaws. 
What motivates people to pay such prices? Some sense that "they aren't making any more of those."  Most people have used a Vise-Grips at some time, so you have a much larger body of people whose personal experience combined with some sense of nostalgia & history might motivate them to want to own an "original."
As to the history & evolution .. I understand there is a company history display at the Nebraska State Historical Society, and some MVWC members have examples showing the gradual evolution of the tool during the 1930s.
Title: Re: Early first edition Vice Grips found at auction.
Post by: lbgradwell on March 01, 2014, 06:07:35 PM
...and some MVWC members have examples showing the gradual evolution of the tool during the 1930s.

I would love to see photos of this...

Any links?
Title: Re: Early first edition Vice Grips found at auction.
Post by: Carl Wagner on March 01, 2014, 07:15:28 PM

  Is it just a crazy random fad like Beanie Babies that will crash in a few months?
   yours Scott

In the 5-6 years that I have bought and sold on the internet I've consistantly seen a first edition pair bring in the $350-500 range. Depending on condition of course.
Title: Re: Early first edition Vice Grips found at auction.
Post by: DM11 on March 01, 2014, 07:19:38 PM
...and some MVWC members have examples showing the gradual evolution of the tool during the 1930s.

I would love to see photos of this...Any links?



So would I.