Sears vs Craftsman

Chris Jones · Dec 6, 2014

I have a 1/2 ratchet wrench set that was given to my Grandfather in the early 80s. The ratchet has stamped on it SEARS 43787 and Taiwan.

Is this a Craftsman wrench? Did all Craftsman tools actually say Craftsman? I think back in the 80's Sears only sold Craftsman--not sure though.

What's got me thinking is I'm selling a small set on CL and one guy called me while I was on the road the other day and said the ratchet wasn't Craftsman 'cause he'd never seen a ratchet like that. Not being in front of them I assured him it had Craftsman stamped on it. Now I see they only say Sears which given their age was synonymous to me. He ended the call with he wanted to come get them that evening but he never showed--typical.

rustyfarmall · Dec 6, 2014

Craftsman is a brand name that WAS sold by Sears, Roebuck, and company. Craftsman made very good tools, second to none. A tool with the "Sears" name on it is NOT a Craftsman, but the Craftsman tools are not what they used to be either.

dr sportster · Dec 6, 2014

That was a line Sears had which did not carry the Craftsman warranty. Now that "other" Sears line is called Evolve. It is an imported tool.

Nebraska Cowman · Dec 6, 2014

Craftsman was a Sears trademark for their better line of tools and hardware. For as long as I can remember they have carried other cheaper "consumer" tools as well.. If it doesn't say "Craftsman" it's not Craftsman.

vscummins · Dec 6, 2014

All craftsman junk is now proudly stamped made is China for sears marketing group

ShadetreeRet · Dec 7, 2014

In 1927 Arthur Barrows, then head of Sears hardware dept. bought the rights to the name "Craftsman" from the Marion-Craftsman Tool Co. They used this to designate their "top of the line" tools. Their lower tier tool line was just "Sears". Barrows successor was Tom Dunlap. From the late 1930s thru the 1950s Sears lower tier tools were branded "Dunlap". They have since reverted back to "Sears", "Companion", and now "Evolv".

MarkB_MI · Dec 7, 2014

Sears sold a cheaper line of tools called "Companion". They do not have the lifetime warranty and weren't very popular. I'd say your Taiwanese ratchet is a Companion.

According to this article, prior to the Companion brand, Sears also sold a line that was just branded "Sears"; you might have one of those.
Wikipedia Sears Craftsman Tools

T in NE · Dec 7, 2014

They have evolve and craftsman, which are imported. Or you can go with the Craftsman Industrial, which are still made in USA, and ship directly from the manufacturer. No one stocks them. Summit Racing carries them. But you just about as well call up the Snap-on or Mac truck, because the price is in line with them, and there's no shipping costs on warranty.

Sears vs Craftsman

Chris Jones

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rustyfarmall

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dr sportster

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Nebraska Cowman

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vscummins

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ShadetreeRet

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MarkB_MI

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T in NE

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