SK Tools Company History & Lore

In this video we look at the history of the SK Professional Tools brand.
Originally starting out as Sherman Klove, then becoming SK Tools, SK Wayne, and then back to SK Tools.
See how SK started out an independent company, was bought out by several other companies, only to become independent again, just to be bought out by China...
What does the future hold for SK Tools as a brand?
Can they compete with the tool trucks if they're just rebranded import tools?

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Further Reading:

Theodore Rueb patents:

1938 Brazil Tools Catalog:

1938 SK Tools Catalog:

1943 SK Tools Catalog:

1961 Electrolite Era Catalog:

1964 Wayne Era Catalog:

1970 Dresser Era Catalog:

1986 Facom Era Catalog:

Pre GreatStar catalogs:

Chapters:
00:00 Ox Parody Intro
00:37 Early Years
01:39 SK Tools is formed
02:37 Theodore Rueb Patents
03:56 Lectrolite Joint Venture
04:24 Symington-Wayne & Dresser Era
05:02 Facom Buyout
05:29 Independence and Ideal Buyout
06:17 Ideal Innovations
06:46 GreatStar Buyout
07:39 Final Thoughts

[TheWarySamaritan]

I couldn't afford Snap-On, so these were the first sets I bought for myself as a young oilfield mechanic back in 1974. I still have some of the ratchets, sockets, and a few of the combo wrenches. The rest have been lost or stolen over the years. I never had one break. The ones I had were solidly built and reliable, day after day. The old hardware store where I bought them has also disappeared.

[nobodyyouknow]

Recently the 3/8ths ratchet from my SK Wayne metric socket set went missing. I have had it since the late 1960's. Flawless tools.

[christiantroy]

Original SK tools are still my favorite, when I twisted wrench, people would always ask where I got my breaker bar that worked as a 18” swivei extension

[geraldbarney]

I have an SK ratchet I bought in 1973. I use it often and it still works perfectly.

[petercbmadsen]

Love their screw drivers, good grip and excellent bit grip.

[winchesterdude]

I have a Reid surface grinder with an SK tool brass tag, had to be in a maintenance shop or something as it has almost no wear. Always loved the tools

[chiappettamark]

SK double Box Wrenches have been the best for me.

[walta]

My first set of tools when I started as a mechanic over 50 years ago was SK. I still have a lot of them.

[mitchellrodes]

I got someSK when my dad passed on to me. And they are still working fine. Socket sets ratchet wrenches.flare nut wrenches 😎

[russdavis]

I have some SK tools, along with U.S. made Craftsman and a small 1/4" set made by TRW.

When I first started working in an auto parts store back in 1979, we only sold SK tools and had big display boards hanging behind the main parts counter with various wrenches, ratchets, sockets and screw drivers.

[patrickshannon]

I bought a SK 19/32” socket in 1964 for the axle nuts on my Huffy bicycle. Still have it.

[philmann]

Bought a lot of SK wrenches in the 80s that I still have and enjoy. The cute, little 1/4" ratchet set in the green metal box is still a favorite. Sure, I'd love a complete set of Snap-Ons if someone else is buying, but SK always seemed a good balance between quality and reasonable price. They weren't cheap, but weren't ridiculous either. Now owned by China? Guess nothing lasts forever.

[bigfootscave]

Just subbed up, great videos ... 👍👍🍻🍻

[BryanMullet]

I have two sets of S.K-W 1/4 and 3/8 drive sockets that mom gave to me when dad passed and some swedish made Lawson screwdrivers both brands are some of the best tools I have ever owned.

[karsonbranham]

SK was always the best built ratchet you could buy. I have had some SK tools in my box ever since I started wrenching on things as a kid!

[gregmccarter]

Iv got old sk socket sets..my favorite is the 1/4" drive..smooth as silk

[garypic]

I got a 1/2. & 3/4 drive set in 1970 still using them.

[wgenerotzky]

My first set of tools were SKs bought them in the 70s, still have most of them.

[BIG_CHEVY_BOWSKIE_MIKE]

I really like those comfort grip short screwdrivers i have that set with the foal organizer a must have guys very nice i back it up with every USA made Milwaukee screwdriver those are great screwdrivers as well.

[xusmico]

bought a set of SK in 1975 for my first truck. just gave them away last year Im 65 now.