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PDF Downloadable File Of all the tool manufacturers of the past 100 years, none seem to have achieved a level of mystique that rivals “T.H. Witherby”. Ironically, most tools marked “T.H. Witherby” were not produced by Thomas Witherby but by the Winsted Edge Tool Works. In fact, Thomas Witherby was long deceased before any of these tools were produced. While Thomas Witherby did manufacture chisels from Millbury, Massachusetts, the majority of the tools that bear his name have no connection to him.
Little is known of
the Winsted Edge Tool Works. This in itself may provide
a rationale for their artificially inflated asking
prices. In fact, most of the commonly accepted
information regarding the company is incorrect. Presented here is a brief history of the Winsted Edge
Tool Works of Winsted, Connecticut. While a great deal
of information about the company does exist, there are
some substantial gaps in our knowledge. Where possible,
speculation regarding these gaps is avoided but the
reason for WETW’s use of the trademark “T.H. Witherby”
will probably never be satisfactorily known and can only be
arrived at through speculation.
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Witherby/Winsted Edge Tool Works tools are highly sought
after and often sell for higher prices than those of
other comparable manufacturers. Certainly
“Witherby” tools are high quality implements. But
this quality is commonly matched and even excelled by
manufacturers such as James Swan, Buck Brother,
Jennings, Ohio Tool and many others. If scarcity
is any indication of value, Witherby/Winsted Edge Tool
Works chisels should be relatively inexpensive, they are
certainly abundant in the marketplace. Despite this, they still generate a
premium.
