Vista tools including axes made in UK?

[Stere]

Anyone know much about them?

 

Visa Tools Ltd About Us

WWW.VISATOOLS.CO.UK

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Visa Tools Ltd is part of the Gibson Group of Companies The Gibson Group companies all manufacture specialist hand...

 

They say made in UK was a Bristol based company factory now is in Leeds

 

https://shop.g-gibson.com/about-us-1-w.asp

 

 

Quote

. Visa Tools still trades under the original name, but is a subsidiary of the Gibson Group, unlike the aforementioned companies which all trade as G.Gibson & Co Ltd, another Gibson Group Company. Visa manufacture Fibreglass and Hickory handled striking tools, mainly for the forestry and fencing trades, but also some construction trades

 

 

Axes look pretty roughly finished but some uncommon axe head weighs  not seen a mini 3lbs maul like this anywhere else so maybe still forged in the UK?

 

Edited January 28 by Stere

[GarethM]

Doubt they make it in site, zero forge exhausts on Google earth.

 

But plenty of places will make whatever you want providing you can use a full pour of metal or just buy in unfinished castings from abroad and machine then however you wish.

Edited January 28 by GarethM

[Steven P]

Manufacture can cover a range of making - from taking a lump of iron, melting, adding the right additives and casting, taking some hickory and making a handle then assembling all the way through to handles from the US, axe heads from China and sticking them together and all things in between.

 

Might be that the castings are done somewhere else in the UK and shipped in if google earth doesn't show exhausts

[GarethM]

That's not to say they're bad, most companies will outsource metal casting as it's an art form in itself.

 

You spec what you want and they do a crucible worth usually by weight, you're not going to keep a foundry running 24/7 making a few axe heads.

 

Can't remember if the Swedish axe guys had the preformed lumps done at Sedenborgs or Monsteras and then they shaped and finished them.

Edited January 28 by GarethM

[Stere]

Plenty of casting foundries still about theese guys  are making axe heads in UK

 

 

Hand Tools - UK Manufacturer | Brooks Forgings

BROOKSFORGINGS.CO.UK

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We specialise in the manufacture and import of Non-Standard Hand Tools, producing unique sizes and types to suit our...

 

 

Actually they look the same.....

 

 

 

 

 

 

[richyrich]

I think a few years ago I noted that they had the Elwell brand ( fireman's axes, etc), but couldn't find reference this time.

[Stere]

Some  new   axe thats  uk forged:

 

Quote

Their axe heads are made from high-quality ball bearing steel forged in Sheffield

 

Axe to grind: toolmaking father and daughter revive lost Sheffield tradition | Sheffield | The Guardian

WWW.THEGUARDIAN.COM

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Tired of cheap, poor-quality tools, Robin and JoJo Wood decided to resurrect the craft – with orders now coming from...

 

The Wood Tools Sheffield Axe – Wood Tools

WOOD-TOOLS.CO.UK

 

 

£185!