Stolar combination tool 05-20-1930

[Plyerman]

This one was on eBay about a week ago, but only for a day or so. The price was too rich for my blood. I was hoping that after awhile they would drop the price down into my range, but it looks like somebody took the Buy It Now. Dang.  )-:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-fench-pliers-wrench-pry-hammer-multi-tool-farm-tractor-rare-unusual-/321363646023?ssPageName=STRK%3AMESINDXX%3AIT&_trksid=p2047675.l2557&nma=true&si=MMpDeQOY%252B9EhbU7U6bFPvK%252B%252FwLc%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc















It took be a bit of digging to find the patent. The number cast on the side of the tool does not show up on Datamp or on Google Patents. Doh, that's because it is a Canadian patent! (took an embarrassingly long time for that thought to occur to me) 

CA 300459 was issued to a Mr. Mike Stolar of Yorkton, Sask. on May 20, 1930 for a "Combination Tool with Staple Puller for Wire Fences"




Hopefully another one will come along some day that I can afford.

[HeelSpur]

Nice and sturdy looking tool, but 120 is a little steep for my blood too.

[lauver]

Plyerman,

Just an observation, but the Stolar combination tool looks like a forerunner of the modern fence plier.  I'm sure there were many incremental innovations between 1930 and today.  But, it would be interesting to trace the history of the modern fence plier back thru the patent records, tool catalogs, trade journals, and print advertising.  I'll bet there is an interesting story there....

For the record, I've run a landscaping business for the last 8 years, and the modern fence plier has been an indispensable part of my tool and equipment work set.  It is one handy multi-tool. 

[Papaw]

Careful there, Gary!
Part truth and part legend, but " There's a Texas law that forbids people from carrying around a fence cutter or a pair of pliers that could cut a fence." According to http://www.legendsofamerica.com/tx-facts2.html

[rusty]

Chuckle...

But in a state approaching one cow per person, it makes sense...

On the other hand..." illegal to shoot a buffalo from the second story of a hotel" just makes me scratch my head...

[Plyerman]

Plyerman,

Just an observation, but the Stolar combination tool looks like a forerunner of the modern fence plier.  I'm sure there were many incremental innovations between 1930 and today.  But, it would be interesting to trace the history of the modern fence plier back thru the patent records, tool catalogs, trade journals, and print advertising.  I'll bet there is an interesting story there....

For the record, I've run a landscaping business for the last 8 years, and the modern fence plier has been an indispensable part of my tool and equipment work set.  It is one handy multi-tool.

I agree, definitely a fencing tool, but just another step in the long evolution of these devices. I've got a few multi-purpose fencing tools from as far back as the 1870's. Typically the inventor is trying to combine the tasks of hammering staples in, pulling staples out, stretching the wire, and cutting the wire all into a single tool. The number of different ways to arrange these functions is rather staggering. I'm still finding "new" 100-year-old designs and patents all the time.

On this Stolar tool, the unusual feature is the big set of pincer jaws coming off the side. But even this wasn't a "new" idea when it was patented in 1930, as the Hoak Combination Tool had side mounted pincers when it was patented in 1908. (And I'm sure there were others from even earlier!)



Hoak Combination Tool, 1908 patent date



Stolar Combination Tool, 1930 patent date