Blue Spruce Toolworks part of Woodpeckers?

[PostalTom]

I just found out that Blue Spruce Toolworks is now a part of Woodpeckers, and apparently has been since 2020.  I thought they were still separate companies.  I have the same question as some others I read on line.  Is Blue Spruce still making their own tools, or has that been folded into the Woodpeckers mass production facility.  I have no problem with Woodpeckers tools.  They are some good and sometimes quite innovative tools, if not somewhat over priced.  Blue Spruce tools are also expensive, but you can forgive that when you consider they are handmade.  But are they still handmade?

[Fred W. Hargis Jr]

This doesn't come close to answering your question, but from the website (below) it appears the manufacturing was moved to Strongsville OH, where Woodpecker's makes their stuff. I'd like to know the answer to your question myself. Usually (in my mind) "significant capacity expansion" means some of the hand made aspect has gone poof.

 

"Blue Spruce Toolworks began as a part-time project when Dave Jeske designed and produced a simple marking knife specifically designed to address the needs of smaller scale, precision joinery. Over the years the company added products such as bench, dovetail, paring and butt chisels, frame saws, and our award-winning mallets. Dave continues to develop new products for Blue Spruce Toolworks while manufacturing and distribution have moved to Strongsville, Ohio and undergone significant capacity expansion to meet ever-growing demand for our tools. "

[Gene Howe]

Heck, I'm still trying to figger out that Studebaker/Packard thing.

[forty_caliber]

First time I've ever even heard of Blue Spruce.  Significant capacity expansion costs big money, the prices just went up. 

 

.40

[John Morris]

News to me Tom! I loved perusing Blue Spruce's website over the years and drool over their high quality tools, and I did love the fact that their tools were made in a much smaller production environment, more of a hand craft feel to the tools, just knowing that each tool received complete personal attention before it went out to the user.

 

Often times a small maker of this or that creates a successful market for their this or that, and it catches the eye of a bigger maker of this and that, and they offer to purchase the smaller guy with the promises that the quality will remain the same, and sometimes it does, and sometimes it doesn't. But I don't blame the smaller guy for selling, if the price is right.

More research on this one for sure!

[John Morris]

Doing a little research into the matter, I was looking for a press release regarding the transfer, but found none.

One of many probably silver lining takeaway's from this, they are still Made in the USA! Unlike Bridge City, moved production to Nanjing, China

[Grandpadave52]

I hadn't heard this Tom, or at least that I recall.Pretty sure I have been receiving regular emails from Blue Spruce for "sales" and promotions. Usually I just delete since most everything is beyond my budget for my use justification. They did make some very "purty" tools though.

[Grandpadave52]

Just received an email from Blue Spruce Toolworks today announcing their new Marking Gauge. No mention as a subsidiary of Woodpeckers, but address is listed in Strongville, OH. With tool being made of aluminum and pre-order for June ship date, sounds a lot like Woodpecker business model. Nice looking gauge, but not in my budget.

 

...Blue Spruce Toolworks Marking Gauges cut clean, crisp, physical grooves for your saws and chisels to reference. The small radius on the end of the blade alleviates the turbulence of a pin gauge, similar to a wheel-style cutter, but with better tactile feedback. Beyond the blade, the precision-milled aluminum body and beam feature sculpted curves to feel like an extension of your hand. The components blend into a tool that reflects history, but expresses it with modern materials destined to last generations...

[PostalTom]

I saw that too on their web site.  I like the idea of marking with a blade instead of a pin that is just going to rip and tear, but it is a little too rich for my budget also.  At least for now.  I will probably get one in the future.  To be honest, I have a motive in buying more tools.  My daughter is interested in woodworking, but has not had the time to start learning from me.  I am trying to build up my tools so that she has everything she needs when she inherits my house and workshop.  No hidden message here, I have no plans to pass anytime soon.  Although, I have been having some headaches that worry me, so I have a MRI scheduled for Monday to see if there is anything in my brain.  My kids could tell them that they won't find anything up there.    Sorry if that is TMI.

[Grandpadave52]

38 minutes ago, PostalTom said:

Although, I have been having some headaches that worry me, so I have a MRI scheduled for Monday

Prayers all goes well with good results Tom. Take care.

[Al B]

Prayers for you Tom .

[John Morris]

2 hours ago, PostalTom said:

I have a MRI scheduled for Monday to see if there is anything in my brain.

You'll be fine Tom, I just know it! Keep us informed please, and I am excited about your girl taking up the craft!

[HARO50]

Praying for a good diagnosis, Tom!

[PostalTom]

I think I will be OK too.  I am probably being unnecessarily paranoid about this, but I would rather be paranoid now and feel silly later, than to blow this off and feel regret later.  John , I am excited about my daughter wanting to learn what I know about woodworking too.  We have a project picked out, but we never seem to have the time and money at the same time to go pick out the wood we need to get started.  I could just go and purchase the lumber myself, but picking it out is part of the learning curve, so I want her involved in that too.  We will get there.  I appreciate the words of concern and encouragement from everyone, and those yet to come.  Thanks.

[Cal]

Prayers out for you Tom.  Please do keep us in the loop.

[PostalTom]

Got the results on my MRI, and everything is ok.  They said I have some small blood vessel disease that is consistent with high blood pressure, which I do have, but my doctor said as long as I continue to keep my blood pressure under control, there is nothing to be concerned about.  Thanks all for the prayers and well wishes.  They must have helped.  When I read about some of the ailments some of you have to endure, I offer my thanks to God for taking such good care of me.

[Grandpadave52]

2 hours ago, PostalTom said:

Got the results on my MRI, and everything is ok.  They said I have some small blood vessel disease that is consistent with high blood pressure, which I do have, but my doctor said as long as I continue to keep my blood pressure under control, there is nothing to be concerned about.  Thanks all for the prayers and well wishes.  They must have helped.  When I read about some of the ailments some of you have to endure, I offer my thanks to God for taking such good care of me.

Thankful to hear such great news Tom and happy you let us know. God is good ALL the time...ALL the time God is good. Take care my friend. Hope the headaches subside.

[John Morris]

4 hours ago, PostalTom said:

Got the results on my MRI, and everything is ok.  They said I have some small blood vessel disease that is consistent with high blood pressure, which I do have, but my doctor said as long as I continue to keep my blood pressure under control, there is nothing to be concerned about.  Thanks all for the prayers and well wishes.  They must have helped.  When I read about some of the ailments some of you have to endure, I offer my thanks to God for taking such good care of me.

 Flippin awesome Tom!!!!!! Great news my friend!!!!!!!!! So I guess you gotta spend much more time here on TPW, cuz being here is known to lower blood pressure

[Cal]

Great news Tom, indeed!

[Gene Howe]

That's wonderful news, Tom.