Have you heard of "Anchor" brand Jacks?

[BlatzGlass]

Bought what looks & feels like a really nice pair of Jacks in almost new condition which has "Anchor" stamped on the inside. Guy mentioned that they were ~35 years old, but hardly ever used (see pic - they look great). There's almost no information online about this company - all I could find was that there used to be a company called "Anchor Tool & Supply" in New Jersey, but it doesn't look like they exist anymore. Looks like Jim Moore might have worked there in the early 80s from this catalog on his website: http://www.toolsforglass.com/catalogs/catalog_anchortool.html, but the Jacks pictured there don't look like the ones I have.

Any ideas on the company or the possible origins/value of these bad boys?

[somewhere]

They may also be jacks made in house for anchor glass. At first glance they look like they could be Jordan's jacks. Post a pic of the stamp or any other identifying marks. Also post a pic of the inside of the handle where the blade meets the handle. What are the blade length and over all length? Nice find btw.

[Greymatter Glass]

Email or call Jim, I'm sure he could tell you if it's something they made @ anchor tool...

[BlatzGlass]

They may also be jacks made in house for anchor glass. At first glance they look like they could be Jordan's jacks. Post a pic of the stamp or any other identifying marks. Also post a pic of the inside of the handle where the blade meets the handle. What are the blade length and over all length? Nice find btw.

Total length = ~18", Blade length = ~9". Will post more pics when I get home. Thanks!

[BlatzGlass]

Email or call Jim, I'm sure he could tell you if it's something they made @ anchor tool...

Now that's a great idea! Will take some more pics (per somewhere's suggestion) and send to Jim to see if he knows. Just bought a pair of D2 Cup Shears from him :) so hopefully he'll be cool and reply.

[BlatzGlass]

More pics of the Jacks in question including the "Anchor" stamp. Any ideas?

[somewhere]

As you already discovered the anchor tool company and you know Jim worked for them i would wager that you already answered your question. Still I can't wait to hear what Jim has to say about them.

I did spend some time in the rabbit hole reading about Anchor Hocking. They have been through a lot over the years and produced so many items it's overwhelming. It is very possible these jacks are factory jacks made in house for anchor but it doesn't have the anchor logo so I'm back to your first guess.

As far as value well I can only speak for myself but in my collection they would be priceless. Great find!!!

[BlatzGlass]

Thanks! I have an email out to Jim. Hopefully will get a reply soon! Really stoked on these - might give em a try tonight :)

[BlatzGlass]

Got a response from Jim this morning. Sounds like its a little slice of glassblowing history, but of limited use. I plan on using the Jacks for flameworking only (at least right now) so I don't see the stainless steel being an issue. I gave them a whirl yesterday, with beeswax of course, and they performed wonderfully.

From Jim:

Hi [BlatzGlass]. I definitely did not make the anchor jacks. The jacks you have are made from stainless steel and they leave metal behind on the neck line that oxidizes in the glory hole and annealer leaving a red ring behind on the glass that can not be removed. The best part about the jacks is they do not rust. The advertisement for Anchor tools on my web site predates you tool by six years. Anchor tools was sold in the 80s to a guy that kept the name and started making the stainless jacks. They did not go over well and he disappeared from the glass world. The old GAS conference catalogues will have a add in them for anchor tools. The original Anchor tools were high carbon steel many with chrome plating most were thrown away or left laying around in shops because nobody wanted them. Hang it on the wall. Cheers Jim Moore

[somewhere]

Hmmm that is interesting.
Did you check them with a magnet to see if they are indeed stainless? (Not that I doubt Jim but I've never seen stainless steel jack blades before). One thing for sure that spring handle looks very cleanly made which to me say it was made in a press (not a one off) What Jim failed to say is that it is fairly easy to heat the brazed area remove those blades and braze new ones on.

[BlatzGlass]

Hmmm that is interesting.
Did you check them with a magnet to see if they are indeed stainless? (Not that I doubt Jim but I've never seen stainless steel jack blades before). One thing for sure that spring handle looks very cleanly made which to me say it was made in a press (not a one off) What Jim failed to say is that it is fairly easy to heat the brazed area remove those blades and braze new ones on.
I'll give em a test with a magnet once I'm back in the shop and let you know. The mystery continues.

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