Trowel and Masonry Tool Collector Resource : Trowels and Masonry Tools in Canada

Please note

Because of the lack of published trowel and masonry tool histories, the information here is based on other sources that may be less reliable and certainly are incomplete. These include eBay and tools that I purchase myself that are the starting points for my research. I will write what I know as I learn it. If what you read here interests you, please check back often and look for revisions and corrections. Scanned catalogs are on Archive.org as pdf files. A few are links to other websites. Your photos and information are welcome. Please click on any picture to enlarge it. Comments are welcome, but any with links will be deleted as possible spam.

Wednesday, September 2, 2015

Trowels and Masonry Tools in Canada

Historically, Canadians have bought tools made in the UK, US, and continental Europe. Some masonry tools were made in Canada. Henry Disston and Sons had a plant at 2 to 20 Fraser Ave., Toronto, and according to this 1913 article it made brick and plastering trowels. The Google Maps image below shows the building in 2015.
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Here is the complete Disston Canada Hardware Catalog H-65. The back cover shows their facility at 125 McDonald Blvd., Acton, Ontario.

This 1898 book (a digitized microfilm copy) features trowels by Boker, Brades, and W. Rose, and stone tools by Warren:
Illustrated Catalogue of General Hardware by Rice Lewis & Son, Ltd., Toronto, 1898 (selection)

Other Canadian hardware catalogs and magazines are on Archive.org: