The Hanchett Swage Works was founded in 1889 by John Hanchett, to manufacture his patent saw swage for bandsaw blades. By 1906 the business was owned and operated by Volney H. Hanchett and Arthur K. Hanchett.
From 1909-01-02 Canada Lumberman and Woodworker
In 1916 The Machinery Company of America was established in Grand Rapids to act as distributor for Covel Manufacturing Co., Hanchett Swage Works, and Baldwin, Tuthill & Bolton. In 1928, The Machinery Company of America changed its name to the Covel-Hanchett Company. At very roughly the same time, the Hanchett Swage Works became the Hanchett Manufacturing Co.
News articles of the day tended to describe the Covel and Hanchett companies as subsidiaries of the Covel-Hanchett Co. However, in 1945 it was announced that the Covel-Hanchett Company was purchased by the Hanchett Manufacturing Company of Big Rapids.
Somewhere between 1969 and 1972 the name Hanchett Co. began to appear. But as of today (2011) Hanchett Manufacturing Co. is still in business making saw and knife sharpening equipment.
At some point in their history, they also manufactured a combination tablesaw, jointer, and sander.
Information Sources
- The year of establishment and the name of the founder are from the Hanchett website.
- Listing in ca. 1925 Woodworkers Tool Works catalog.
- Batory lists a 1909 catalog of "Filing Room Machinery & Saw Fitting Tools".
- John Hanchett received an 1891 patent for a saw swage; that patent date has been seen on different models of swages from Hanchett Swage Works. 1909, 1910, and 1926 patents were assigned to this firm.
- A correspondent reports a 40" flat knife grinder that is used to grind planer knives.
- Patent records show assignments to Covell-Hanchett Co. of Big Rapids, MI (1928, 1930); Hanchett Manufacturing Co. of Big Rapids (1930-1969); Hanchett Co. (1972). Patent records provide most of the date ranges given here.
- See also the Information Sources under Covel Manufacturing Co.