This maker of edge tools, hand grinders, cutlery, etc. can trace its existence back as far as 1847, when Shapleigh, Day & Co. was founded by August Frederick Shapley, and Thomas D. Day. Meanwhile, Edward Campbell Simmons started operating as a hardware merchant in about 1868. In about 1870 E. C. Simmons had some sort of association with Shapleigh, and they started using the Keen Kutter brand name on many of the products they sold. The Oak Leaf was used on lower-cost versions of those products. In 1872 Simmons incorporated as E. C. Simmons & Co. That company's existence is filled with various acquisitions, mergers, and spinoffs, which are extensively documented elsewhere, such as on this Rose Antiques page.
Hand tools do not qualify Simmonds/Shapleigh for a listing here among makers of vintage machinery, but we have seen a Keen Kutter timber borer. Note that Simmons apparently did not do his own manufacturing; the true maker of this timber mortiser is currently unknown. We also have seen Shapleigh Hardware Co. "Keen Kutter" belt sanders, electric drills, and jigsaws, plus we have seen Keen Kutter blacksmith's vises and bench vises. More research is needed to identify the true makers of these items.
We have seen an "Oak Leaf" bench vise that is also marked "SIMMONS HDWE / USA". The vise appears to have been made by Prentiss Vise Co.
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