But when they engraved, they weren't vintage. It was Joe Lunchbox making sure he could keep track of the tools to earn his livelihood on the job site.

Besides being an RCAF/RAF Servicing Commando and flying unofficially as a radar observer in Beaufighters and Mosquitoes, my late Dad was part of the first generation of radar technicians (airborne for the most part). His tools were mostly of prewar premium production that remained in tool suppliers stores in the early years of the war.

Shortly after arriving in Britain, Dad was detached from the RCAF and posted to RAF night fighter squadrons. The tools he and other technicians were issued were of such poor quality that individuals were forced to try and make some of their own tools. I still have some hand made screw drivers he made in the early months of his overseas service.

Dad remained on Canadian pay during his time in the RAF. As a mere corporal, he was not floating in riches, but the bit extra was enough to allow him to buy tools that were otherwise rare and rather expensive.

Being in radar, very high voltage generation was readily available. His radar section made their own electric engraver. Thus, all these precious little tools that I have inherited have my Dad's name indelibly engraved upon them. In addition, each technician had his own three color strip code painted on the tool. Any tool's ownership could be ascertained even at a distance immediately.

I consider these relics to be precious in the paint that remains as well as the engraving that shall never fade. Besides, they were made from the best British tool steel at a time when such material was considered among the best available anywhere on the planet. I've been using these tools since I was about 12 ears old — and they are as good as new and more precious than ever for the marks they carry.

But that is just me .... and Dad who loved his tools.

I guess those engravers are how I'm able to afford nice vintage tools.

Thank you engraver wielding guy for keeping the collectors away, and quality tools in my budget

Now, that's what I call a real treasure - useful tools, from a significant period in world history, and a clear connection to your dad. I can see why they are precious to you.

In 2001, I bought a cheap sturdy "city bike" in France to tour on. In Brittany I saw this great show of traditional Breton music, and I kept one of the posters after the show, to bring home.
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Now, how do you store an 11"x17" poster while bike touring, without folding it? Theres only one way I could think of: roll it tight and stick it down the seat tube. Problem is, when I sold the bike at the end of the trip, I forgot about the poster. Maybe the new owner found it by now. maybe not.
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True enough. To a point. I've got some vintage hand planes that were very tastefully stamped, or engraved, by the owner, who obviously took pride in his tools and did the job right. My beef is with that obnoxious trend, maybe from the sixties, when that ubiquitous electric buzzer became available and people started defacing tools that were "old" even then, by scribbling their social security number on them. And everything else they could grab, it seems. Not a trend I'm fond of, obviously, like that hub pictured above. It can be done well, however. And I'll wager Lenton's father's tools were done well.

I used to stamp my stuff with a set of die stamps...a lot of those tools are vintage now.

Aaron

I consider a previous owner's name on my tools patina or period modification. These are tools- tools are strictly utilitarian.

Great thread. And I know about British tool steel. Nothing better. American might have been as good, at one point in time. I learned about varying steel qualities in the late 70's. Back then, the Japanese made stuff well, but they didn't have the best steel available to them.

I'd have expected the engraving to keep the price on that wheel set down at auction, but it closed for a typical price, as did most of the C Record group that was similarly engraved...

I'm a Dymo label man myself