Toolmakers, Not Commodity Distributors: Ever notice why some tools feel stronger than others? Chances are it starts with our contoured precision lathe-turned Ash and Hickory handles. Since our founding in 1872, we’ve been Toolmakers. That’s a legacy and heritage that we strive to live up to every day. We’re not a manufacturer of a commodity and as such, we’re willing to ‘sign-up’ to some very specific information when it comes to the tools we sell.