SK Hand Tools
American hand-tools brand known for professional mechanic's tools and the round-head ratchet.
Last updated August 24, 2026
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Overview
SK Hand Tools is an American hand-tools brand headquartered in Sycamore, Illinois. The company traces its origins to the Sherman-Klove Company, founded by Mason H. Sherman and Noah Grover Klove as a screw-machine operation. Its early work included supplying munitions-related components during the First World War, including mortar housings produced at a Chicago plant. During the 1920s, the business operated largely as a contract manufacturer, producing components and tools for other companies, including Craftsman. The company’s development into a branded tool maker was aided by the collapse of the Hinsdale Socket and Wrench Company during the Great Depression. Sherman-Klove had produced socket wrenches for Hinsdale and was left with a substantial inventory after Hinsdale ceased operating. Rather than abandon the stock, the company redesigned the products and entered the market under the S-K Tools name. This transition helped establish the company as a direct participant in the hand-tools industry rather than solely as a supplier to other brands. SK is particularly associated with the round-head ratchet. Engineer Theodore Rueb developed the mechanism at Sherman-Klove, and the company introduced the design in 1933 and obtained a patent the following year. The ratchet was produced in multiple drive sizes, ranging from 1/4 inch to 3/4 inch, and its basic form became a durable reference point for later ratchet designs. The company’s reputation rests heavily on this engineering heritage and on its long presence in professional automotive and industrial tool channels. Ownership changed several times during the second half of the twentieth century. In 1962, SK and manufacturing partner Lectrolite Corporation were acquired by Symington-Wayne, resulting in the S-K Wayne identity. In 1968, S-K Wayne became part of Dresser Industries following the combination of Wayne Oil and Tank Company with Dresser. Dresser made various design and presentation changes to the tools, including removing the cross-hatch pattern from sockets. In 1985, the business became part of French tool company Facom. Management later acquired the company in 2005, returning it to independent operation as S-K Hand Tools Corporation. Financial pressure culminated in a bankruptcy filing on June 29, 2010. Ideal Industries was announced as the buyer in August 2010, with the acquisition scheduled to close on August 25. In July 2021, SK was acquired by Hangzhou GreatStar Industrial, a China-based tool conglomerate that also owns or controls several other tool-related brands. The modern SK product range contains more than 3,500 items. It includes wrenches, ratchets, screwdrivers, tool storage, and air tools. Products are sold through independent tool-truck dealers, automotive-parts retailers, and major online vendors such as Sears and Amazon. Manufacturing and sourcing have included facilities in the United States, China, and Taiwan. The brand remains positioned around professional-grade and automotive hand tools, with its American history and round-head ratchet heritage serving as key elements of its identity.
History
SK Hand Tools began as the Sherman-Klove Company, established by Mason H. Sherman and Noah Grover Klove as a screw-machine manufacturer. The business was created in the early twentieth century and supplied components for wartime production during the First World War, including mortar housings made at its Chicago facility. After the war, it operated mainly as a contract manufacturer. During the 1920s it produced specialty screw-machine parts and made tools for other companies, including Craftsman. A significant change occurred during the Great Depression. Sherman-Klove had manufactured socket wrenches for the Hinsdale Socket and Wrench Company. When Hinsdale failed, Sherman-Klove was left with a large quantity of related inventory. The company redesigned the products and marketed them under its own identity, using the S-K Tools name. This helped move the business from contract production toward branded hand tools. The company’s most important technical contribution came from engineer Theodore Rueb. In 1933, he developed the round-head ratchet mechanism, which was patented in 1934. The design was offered in several drive sizes, from 1/4 inch through 3/4 inch, and became a defining product of the brand. Its general configuration remained influential in the ratchet market for decades. SK passed through a series of corporate owners. In 1962, it and manufacturing partner Lectrolite Corporation were purchased by Symington-Wayne, creating the S-K Wayne identity. In 1968, S-K Wayne became part of Dresser Industries in connection with the merger of Wayne Oil and Tank Company and Dresser. Dresser altered several aspects of the tools’ design, including removing the cross-hatch pattern from socket surfaces. In 1985, SK joined the French tool company Facom. Management acquired the business in 2005, after which it operated independently as S-K Hand Tools Corporation. The company filed for bankruptcy on June 29, 2010. Ideal Industries was announced as the acquirer in August of that year, with the purchase planned for August 25. In July 2021, Hangzhou GreatStar Industrial acquired SK Hand Tools. The acquisition placed the brand within a larger international tool group with other American tool names in its portfolio. SK is headquartered in Sycamore, Illinois, and has had additional manufacturing facilities in the United States, China, and Taiwan. Its distribution has included independent tool-truck dealers, automotive-parts stores, Sears, Amazon, and other retail or online channels. The current range is described as comprising more than 3,500 products across mechanic’s hand tools, storage, and air tools.
- 2021
Acquired by Hangzhou GreatStar Industrial
[1]Hangzhou GreatStar Industrial acquired SK Hand Tools in July.
- 2010
Bankruptcy and acquisition by Ideal Industries
[1]SK filed for bankruptcy in June, and Ideal Industries was announced as the buyer in August.
- 2005
Management buyout
[1]The company was purchased by its management and resumed independent operation as S-K Hand Tools Corporation.
- 1985
Acquired by Facom
[1]SK became part of French tool company Facom.
- 1968
Business becomes part of Dresser Industries
[1]S-K Wayne entered Dresser Industries following the combination of Wayne Oil and Tank Company with Dresser.
- 1962
Acquisition by Symington-Wayne
[1]SK and Lectrolite Corporation were acquired by Symington-Wayne, and the business became associated with the S-K Wayne name.
- 1934
Round-head ratchet patented
[1]SK received a patent for its round-head ratchet design.
- 1933
Round-head ratchet developed
[1]Engineer Theodore Rueb developed the round-head ratchet mechanism that became a signature SK design.
Sherman-Klove Company established
[1]Mason H. Sherman and Noah Grover Klove founded the original screw-machine business in the early twentieth century.
Products and positioning
A professional-oriented hand-tools brand with deep American manufacturing and engineering heritage, especially associated with the round-head ratchet and automotive service tools.
Ratchets and socket tools · 1933
Round-head ratchets
SK’s signature round-head ratchet was developed by engineer Theodore Rueb in 1933 and patented in 1934. The mechanism was produced across multiple drive sizes, from 1/4 inch to 3/4 inch. It became a central part of the brand’s identity and an influential design in the broader professional ratchet market.
Hand tools
Wrenches
Wrenches form one of the major categories in SK’s professional hand-tools portfolio. The range supports automotive and general mechanical work and is distributed through tool-truck dealers, parts retailers, and online channels.
Hand tools
Screwdrivers
SK produces screwdrivers as part of its broader mechanic’s and maintenance-tool assortment. They are sold alongside wrenches, ratchets, sockets, storage products, and other tools intended for professional and automotive users.
Tool storage
Tool boxes and storage
Tool boxes and related storage products extend SK’s offering beyond individual hand tools. These products are intended to organize and transport mechanic’s tools in professional workshop and service environments.
Powered tools
Air tools
Air tools are included in SK’s broader product line of more than 3,500 items. They complement the company’s manual mechanic’s tools and serve automotive and industrial service applications.
Brand decisions
2021
Acquisition by Hangzhou GreatStar IndustrialM&ABackground
SK Hand Tools was operating as an established American hand-tools brand with manufacturing and distribution spanning multiple markets.
Action taken
Hangzhou GreatStar Industrial acquired SK Hand Tools in July 2021.
Aftermath
SK became part of GreatStar’s international tool portfolio while retaining its established brand identity and product heritage.
2010
Bankruptcy filing and sale processOtherBackground
SK Hand Tools entered bankruptcy proceedings on June 29, 2010, after financial difficulties.
Action taken
A sale process followed, and Ideal Industries was announced as the acquirer in August, with the transaction scheduled to close on August 25.
Aftermath
The transaction enabled the SK brand and business to continue under new ownership.
Recent events
- 2021
Hangzhou GreatStar Industrial acquires SK Hand Tools[1]
M&A
Hangzhou GreatStar Industrial acquired SK Hand Tools in July 2021, adding the American hand-tools brand to its portfolio of tool businesses.
- 2010
SK Hand Tools files for bankruptcy[1]
Bankruptcy
SK Hand Tools Corporation declared bankruptcy on June 29, 2010, during a period of financial distress.
- 2010
Ideal Industries announced as SK Hand Tools acquirer[1]
M&A
Ideal Industries was announced as the purchaser of SK Hand Tools in August 2010, with the transaction scheduled to close on August 25.
Sources1 sources
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