Hoffritz Version of Seaboard Multitool

[ICanFixThat]

I picked this up on a whim.  It seems quite nice, I like how it feels in the hand.  The pliers have a limited opening and the tools are not my favorite, but I love the mirror polish on the blade.

I could not find much information on this tool.  Does any one have the date range for the Seaboard models and/or the Hoffritz version?

[enki_ck]

I think Rex/Sazabi had a couple of those.

Did yours come in a brown sheath? I'll try o find some more info when I get home.

[Grant Lamontagne]

I think Bob had done a thread on these a while back as well.  I'll see if I can find it, and if not I'm sure Bob will see it sooner or later.

Def

[J-sews]

Congrats on a fabulous score there Francis! What you have there is one of the best (if not THE best) of the pre-Leatherman multitools. They were made in Solingen Germany in the 1960's and early 1970's, then re-badged for a number of different importers. Hoffritz was a big cutlery retailer based in New York, and the ones they sold had some of the best fit and finish work. Others were made for and sold by Coles (another cutlery retailer) and Abercrombie and Fitch, as well as lesser known outfits like Voss Cutlery and Hugo Bauermann.

I think there have been a couple of other discussions here about these tools. I'll do some searching and see what I can find.

[ICanFixThat]

Thanks Bob, and everyone else.  I must say i really like the way it fits my hand and the mechanical fit seems very tight, and precise.  It does feel like a quality tool. 

I did not get it with any pouch unfortunately, I don't think it's been used since the black coating is still on the file, and the jaws look perfect.  It's just a little dirty though. 

I really like the closure mechanism, simple, and works very well. 

I'm glad I picked it up, sometimes these whim purchases turn out a lot worse.

[Sazabi]

Mmhmm, I used to have one (or two? ).  They are very neat tools, though.

[J-sews]

I'm not sure they came with a pouch..? Here's this one still in the original box anyhow, with no sign of a pouch and no room in the box for one.

[enki_ck]

I'm not sure they came with a pouch..? Here's this one still in the original box anyhow, with no sign of a pouch and no room in the box for one.


(Image removed from quote.)

I was thinking about these ones from Mat. http://forum.multitool.org/collector's-forum/3-vintage-french-multitools/

...They were made in Solingen Germany in the 1960's and early 1970's, ...

Also, is Seaboard French or German company?



I know they're not the same model, but being Seaboard, I thought they used the same sheaths as the two models did.

[J-sews]

Seaboard Steel was a U.S. importer. I'm not aware of any products they made themselves. The wrench tool and the plier tool that Mat has were made (and stamped Seaboard Steel) in France, then imported to the U.S., then sold via mail order. Here's an old magazine advertisement: 






Whereas Hoffritz was a chain of cutlery stores on the U.S. east coast that specialized in fancy tableware. They imported knives and forks and spoons and related items from other countries too, but primarily Germany.

[enki_ck]

Thanks for clarifying and the added info.

[Singh]

interesting stuff. Thanks for sharing!

[ICanFixThat]

Here is another old Ad in case it has not already been posted.  The other tool looks interesting also.

[J-sews]

Nice ad! Where did you find that one if I may ask?

[ICanFixThat]

Nice ad! Where did you find that one if I may ask?

That comes from the New York based distributor Bennett Bros. catalog.

[gregozedobe]

Thanks for the interesting info guys. 

 I like the way I am always learning here on MTo (unfortunately that learning all too often involves finding out there is yet another tool I'd like to collect     

[J-sews]

Thanks for the interesting info guys. 

 I like the way I am always learning here on MTo (unfortunately that learning all too often involves finding out there is yet another tool I'd like to collect     

Ugh, I know that feeling!

[Aloha]

Bumping this because its the only place I found that had info in it.

Mine is stamped Voss Cut Co Germany.

[gregozedobe]

Bumping this because its the only place I found that had info in it.

Mine is stamped Voss Cut Co Germany.

Nice one 

I like the nice finish and the auger/awl on these old tools 

[Aloha]

Bumping this because its the only place I found that had info in it.

Mine is stamped Voss Cut Co Germany.

Nice one 

I like the nice finish and the auger/awl on these old tools 

The blade is a little rusted/discolored but serviceable. Everything works as it should and the adjustable wrench is flipping awesome.  I too like the auger/awl feature. 

[ColoSwiss]

Neat find!