Classic tool box mfg changing its stripes — now makes “fly fishing” boxes
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Gerstner oak machinist tool boxes have a long history as a cherished item among machinists and other tool folks. I have wanted one (or more) for several years, and finally broke down. Ordered a chest and base from Sears.
Times are changing. I already knew that they had moved mfg to China (bringing the price down from, I believe, over $1k to a just north of $200 depending on size). When the boxes arrived, however, I was surprised to see them called “Oak Hobby Chests.” From there, they list several hobbies but the first one is “fly fishing.” I know that Orvis sells them. Since they have fly fishermen (presumably fly tiers) in their sights, I wonder how deeply they will be able to penetrate the market and whether they will become a staple item in fly shops.
I do like the boxes. They are heavy, but not too bad for moving the one or two times a year when I want to take a significant amount of gear with me. They look like oak furniture.
Still, I prefer to think of them as tool boxes or machinist boxes. I have long thought that fly tying was probably the male equivalent of knitting. (Yes, I hear that men knit, know women tie flies and will teach my girls to tie flies). Still, I don’t like to think of my equipment as a crossover equally suited to “scrap booking.” I keep real tools in mine — along with feathers, sewing scissors, thread and a bottle of Sally Hansens’s.
Aaron,
I use a Gerstner as well. Mine was an Ebay score about 4 or 5 years ago for about $100 bucks. I had to clean it up a little and re-line the drawers with felt…..but because it was old, it had that nice quarter sawn oak patina to it. I also use an old oak “card catalog” from a library for storage as well. And you’re right…it becomes a piece of furniture to alleviate potential conflicts with the significant other.
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