Perfect Handle Tools

H.D. Smith & Co. manufactured "Perfect Handle" tools in Plantsville, CT.  The full line included screwdrivers, wrenches, a drawknife, hammers and pry bars, as well as a valve lifter for working on automotive engines.  Here is a brief history of H.D. Smith & Co.

The screwdrivers shown here are by far the most common H.D. Smith Perfect Handle tools today, and are usually found in pretty bad condition, as were some shown here.  Adjustable "monkey" wrenches also are pretty common.  People often refer to any tools made with a solid steel shank with wooden scales riveted on as "Perfect Handle", but only those made by H.D. Smith & Co. are truly "Perfect Handle" tools.  One style of these "other" tools is marked "Made in Germany".  These German variants have a different shape than the true H.D. Smith Perfect Handle tools; they are flatter in cross-section and are more angular and trapezoidal-shaped.

These are a few PH screwdrivers I acquired over the years and refurbished for another 100 years of use.

The "Before" picture:

The second and third ones from the left are more modern versions, made by Irwin, not H.D. Smith & Co.  Note the little tack puller on the far right.  I found it at the bottom of a box lot that I had bought for $10 at an estate auction.  I subsequently discovered that the tack puller is somewhat rare and sought-after by collectors.  This one is in excellent condition and appears nearly unused.  It's a keeper!

The "After" picture:

Left to right: black walnut, rosewood and rosewood.

I found this very small one at an anteek maul.  This is one of the "Made in Germany" versions, which also are pretty commonly found, but usually in a slightly larger size.

Here it is after I gave it the treatment.

And here's a really cool teeny-tiny one that Scott Grandstaff sent me, on account o' he's a nice guy (and I had previously sent him a tiny router that I had made).