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.

Monday, November 14, 2016

History of Vicker Tools

Vicker Tools ZA is a South African manufacturer of builder's (masonry) tools. Their main facility is in Johannesburg with a smaller plant in Mbabane, Swaziland. Isaac Mijon, an engineer, founded Vicker Tools in the early 1940s, and the business is now run by his son Vic Mijon and grandson Arnry Mijon. Arnry received a Masters in Engineering in Industrial and Systems Engineering from the University of Florida in 1997, then returned to South Africa to work with his father.

Vicker makes brick trowels, plastering trowels, pointing and gauging trowels, moulder's trowels, corner, nosing and jointing tools, line pins, putty knives, and other tools. The tools forged steel and most are in the traditional patterns of the United Kingdom, with one American pattern brick trowel and 3 Continental European trowels.

The London pattern brick trowel has a through tang capped wooden handle. The broad heel New York pattern is made with the through tang capped wooden handle, leather, plastic, and soft grip.

Their current production is marked with labels and do not appear to have a stamp or etching on the steel. The finish appears above anerage, with finer grinding than found in the USA.  

Thank you to a reader, Patrick, for suggesting this company and for the pictures.

Vicker Tool London pattern brick trowel
Vicker forged and ground trowel


 Through tang capped handle

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