Can anyone enlighten me as to why Craftsman made such a wrench.  Over the years this is only the second one I have come across.

As to why Craftsman actually made a wrench of that style I don't know for sure but maybe they just tried a different design to promote sales. I have one of these I picked up a while back for $5 Canadian ( which is about $3.75 US ) I did some looking thru some old catalogs and it showed up in a 1953 booklet for a price of $2.95. The little booklet I have only shows a 14" version.

It's a cool looking wrench.

The 14" size is the only size I have come across.

Definitely different. 

Quote from: gibsontool on February 13, 2019, 12:33:58 PM
As to why Craftsman actually made a wrench of that style I don't know for sure but maybe they just tried a different design to promote sales. I have one of these I picked up a while back for $5 Canadian ( which is about $3.75 US ) I did some looking thru some old catalogs and it showed up in a 1953 booklet for a price of $2.95. The little booklet I have only shows a 14" version.

Does that mean you overpaid?

Did I overpay? I don't think so, If I see another for that price I'll buy it and send it to you.

Hello, I guess they tried a few handle patterns over the years. Here are 3 that I have here, not as nice as the 14" version shown. Also, these have the more common adjustment mechanism.Notice the fancy curved handle of the one at bottom :-) Regards, Lou

Don't find many with the handle curving up, owner didn't know how to use a pipe wrench??

Hello, Coolford. I didn't think of that!!! I see all kinds of mis-used tools at sales, but that is a new one!!

Quote from: coolford on February 28, 2019, 07:37:02 AM
Don't find many with the handle curving up, owner didn't know how to use a pipe wrench??

Yeah, but he did know how to use a cheater pipe! DAMHIKT

Hello, Papadan.  (DAMHIKT) "Don't Ask Me How I Know This" . You don't have to ask me, I found the meaning on the internet. :-)