Introduction
I first began collecting Ice Tools in the summer of 2010 while on a nostalgic search for a cup-holder ice shaver like one I had used during the early 1950’s when I made and sold snow cones for extra cash. My snow cone cart was very similar to the one pictured below in the painting by Jerry Locklair. The ice tool pictured is the first one I collected and is very close to the one I used with my little snow cone business.
I first began collecting Ice Tools in the summer of 2010 while on a nostalgic search for a cup-holder ice shaver like one I had used during the early 1950’s when I made and sold snow cones for extra cash. My snow cone cart was very similar to the one pictured below in the painting by Jerry Locklair. The ice tool pictured is the first one I collected and is very close to the one I used with my little snow cone business.
What started out as a sentimental treasure hunt has grown into a passion for these tools of a bygone era. My collection has grown rather large in a short amount of time and all the pieces in my collection have been acquired either at antiques stores, flea markets, trading, and eBay or on other internet collection sites.
My Nephew, Robin, helped me find that first ice tool and he also discovered the www.icetoolcollection.com website by Bob Nethers, which references the book “Patented Ice-Reducing Tools,” first published in 2007 by Bob Roger. The book is “An Identification Guide for Hand-Held Picks, Chippers, Crushers, and Shaves,” but the hardcopy is now out of print.
The Ice Tools in my collection now number over 500 pieces, which pales in comparison to the collection of Bob Nethers, but after suggestions from both Bob Roger & Bob Nethers, I have decided to share my collection with others via a website (although it won’t be anywhere near as detailed as that of Bob Nethers’). I have grouped my tools together as per their proposed usage, however, you might notice some are misplaced and a few others are highlighted if I think they are unique or uncommon. I plan to continue updating the site by adding more tools as I collect them. The comments or opinions stated here are mine and are not to be construed to claim any special knowledge or expertise. Please feel free to contact me for any information or comments.
My Nephew, Robin, helped me find that first ice tool and he also discovered the www.icetoolcollection.com website by Bob Nethers, which references the book “Patented Ice-Reducing Tools,” first published in 2007 by Bob Roger. The book is “An Identification Guide for Hand-Held Picks, Chippers, Crushers, and Shaves,” but the hardcopy is now out of print.
The Ice Tools in my collection now number over 500 pieces, which pales in comparison to the collection of Bob Nethers, but after suggestions from both Bob Roger & Bob Nethers, I have decided to share my collection with others via a website (although it won’t be anywhere near as detailed as that of Bob Nethers’). I have grouped my tools together as per their proposed usage, however, you might notice some are misplaced and a few others are highlighted if I think they are unique or uncommon. I plan to continue updating the site by adding more tools as I collect them. The comments or opinions stated here are mine and are not to be construed to claim any special knowledge or expertise. Please feel free to contact me for any information or comments.
ICE SHAVERS
Of all the various ice tools, the ice shaver was my first tool collected and continues to be sought after more than the others. The box ice shaver is probably the most recognized ice shaver and typically it has a lid and is approximately 6 inches long, 2 inches in height and 2 inches in width, being made of cast iron. Other materials such as aluminum and stainless steel are also commonly used. You may not be able to see the difference in the shaves in the photos, but they are all different in some way whether it is the markings, shape, material, design or cutting edge. While most have lids, there are some with and some without handles. Pictured below is a couple not as common as most. One is marked “STOVER MFG.CO, FREEPORT. ILL,” under the lid and has an indentation in the front with an adjustable serrated cutting edge and the other, Patent D 28,988, issued July 5, 1898, has a small open top with a pull type handle with the blade being an integral part of the body.
Of all the various ice tools, the ice shaver was my first tool collected and continues to be sought after more than the others. The box ice shaver is probably the most recognized ice shaver and typically it has a lid and is approximately 6 inches long, 2 inches in height and 2 inches in width, being made of cast iron. Other materials such as aluminum and stainless steel are also commonly used. You may not be able to see the difference in the shaves in the photos, but they are all different in some way whether it is the markings, shape, material, design or cutting edge. While most have lids, there are some with and some without handles. Pictured below is a couple not as common as most. One is marked “STOVER MFG.CO, FREEPORT. ILL,” under the lid and has an indentation in the front with an adjustable serrated cutting edge and the other, Patent D 28,988, issued July 5, 1898, has a small open top with a pull type handle with the blade being an integral part of the body.
The other shaped shavers usually have a round bowl (either open, covered or have a cup holder attachment with a handle for pulling), but there are exceptions to these configurations. All of the shavers have either serrated or straight edged cutting blades cast in with the main body or attached (the attached ones are usually adjustable). The one pictured below (left) is made of brass, Patent 1, 431, 344, Issued on October 10, 1922. It has a cup holder with ejector plate as part of a pull-type handle. The other (below right) is made of aluminum with a cup holder and has a push handle.
ROUND OR OTHER SHAPED ICE SHAVERS
MORE ROUND OR OTHER SHAPED ICE SHAVERS
CHIPPERS
Chippers have blades that are flat or pointed and can number from 1 to quite a few. While most are operated using a single hand making multiple movements assisted by a spring (or not), some may need the use of both hands: One to hold the tool and the other to raise a weight to drop or, if the handle is so large that it requires you to use both hands. Pictured below is a typical 4 bladed chipper also has a built-in bottle opener. Also a spring assisted Patent D 96369, issued July 30, 1935 is shown.
Chippers have blades that are flat or pointed and can number from 1 to quite a few. While most are operated using a single hand making multiple movements assisted by a spring (or not), some may need the use of both hands: One to hold the tool and the other to raise a weight to drop or, if the handle is so large that it requires you to use both hands. Pictured below is a typical 4 bladed chipper also has a built-in bottle opener. Also a spring assisted Patent D 96369, issued July 30, 1935 is shown.
BLADED CHIPPERS
POINTED CHIPPERS
COMBO CHIPPERS
HAND BLOCK CHIPPERS
HARVESTING TOOLS
PICKS
Ice picks are easily the most recognized ice tool invented. Some were patented, but many of the tools were not, and although the ice pick tool itself is common, there are many variations that are quite rare. Ice picks come in all shapes, sizes and materials with the handles being created from wood, steel, aluminum, plastic, brass, bone, antler, sterling and/or Bakelite. Some even have replaceable picks! As with the chippers, some picks are spring loaded and others yet have moving weights. They are also included in parts of combination tools, most commonly with a bottle opener. One such combo is Patent D 43,278 issued November 26, 1912 with an advertizing button attached. The key type crushers usually have a corkscrew inside but this one not only functions as a crusher and bottle opener it also has an ice pick inside.
Ice picks are easily the most recognized ice tool invented. Some were patented, but many of the tools were not, and although the ice pick tool itself is common, there are many variations that are quite rare. Ice picks come in all shapes, sizes and materials with the handles being created from wood, steel, aluminum, plastic, brass, bone, antler, sterling and/or Bakelite. Some even have replaceable picks! As with the chippers, some picks are spring loaded and others yet have moving weights. They are also included in parts of combination tools, most commonly with a bottle opener. One such combo is Patent D 43,278 issued November 26, 1912 with an advertizing button attached. The key type crushers usually have a corkscrew inside but this one not only functions as a crusher and bottle opener it also has an ice pick inside.
ICE PICKS
ICE PICKS
HAMMER PICKS
CRUSHERS
Most of the small hand-held crushers are used to crush 1 or 2 ice cubes at a time and are plier’s type. The hammers shown are still being used by the airlines to loosen the already crushed ice on the planes, however they are now made of plastic instead of aluminum. It is easy to recognize one especially when they are marked as the one below “ICE CUBE CRUSHER”.
Most of the small hand-held crushers are used to crush 1 or 2 ice cubes at a time and are plier’s type. The hammers shown are still being used by the airlines to loosen the already crushed ice on the planes, however they are now made of plastic instead of aluminum. It is easy to recognize one especially when they are marked as the one below “ICE CUBE CRUSHER”.
HAND HELD CRUSHERS
CONTAINER CRUSHERS
HAND CRANK CRUSHERS
BAR JIGGERS
The title alone should denote the usage of this tool, but in most cases there is more to this tool than the name implies. The majority of jiggers are multi-function tools that serve not only as measuring devices, but will also crush ice, open bottles and pull corks. Here is one that is a rarity in that it also has an ice pick. It is unmarked.
The title alone should denote the usage of this tool, but in most cases there is more to this tool than the name implies. The majority of jiggers are multi-function tools that serve not only as measuring devices, but will also crush ice, open bottles and pull corks. Here is one that is a rarity in that it also has an ice pick. It is unmarked.
BAR JIGGERS
HATCHETS / HAMMERS
The smaller ice hatchets were most often used by Ice Delivery Men making their rounds as a tool to reduce larger blocks of ice to whatever size was requested by the customer. The larger hatchets were usually part of the harvesting tools. Several have marks: WM. T. WOOD, GIFFORD-WOOD CO., STAATSBURG, COW, H.F.DERNELL CO. A very unique un-marked one (below) was Patent D 123,076 issued January 30, 1872.
The smaller ice hatchets were most often used by Ice Delivery Men making their rounds as a tool to reduce larger blocks of ice to whatever size was requested by the customer. The larger hatchets were usually part of the harvesting tools. Several have marks: WM. T. WOOD, GIFFORD-WOOD CO., STAATSBURG, COW, H.F.DERNELL CO. A very unique un-marked one (below) was Patent D 123,076 issued January 30, 1872.
ICE HATCHETS
COMBO
The inventors always seemed to try and get as many functions in one tool as they could. The majority of them were not only meat tenderizers and choppers, but also ice picks and shavers. Some of these tools have so many functions that it’s difficult to try and name them all. Shown below is a special tool that not only chipped ice, but was also was used to assist in gripping the ice blocks. Patent 1,267,233 was issued May 21, 1918.
The inventors always seemed to try and get as many functions in one tool as they could. The majority of them were not only meat tenderizers and choppers, but also ice picks and shavers. Some of these tools have so many functions that it’s difficult to try and name them all. Shown below is a special tool that not only chipped ice, but was also was used to assist in gripping the ice blocks. Patent 1,267,233 was issued May 21, 1918.
COMBO
COMBO
MULTI
Most of the small multi tools have a wide range of uses: From can openers to glass cutters, some with ice picks, ice crushers, corkscrews, knife sharpeners, tack pullers, wrenches and more. One such tool (below) is PATENT 914,601, issued on March 09, 1909.
Most of the small multi tools have a wide range of uses: From can openers to glass cutters, some with ice picks, ice crushers, corkscrews, knife sharpeners, tack pullers, wrenches and more. One such tool (below) is PATENT 914,601, issued on March 09, 1909.
MULTI
TONGS
As with most of the other ice tools, you can’t imagine how many different ways one could design a device to pick up blocks of ice. The basic difference between the ice tongs is whether you have to use one hand or two (and then the variations are unlimited). None of the tongs in my collection have any other function than the basic lifting of ice, however, there are some designed with chippers and with scales for weighing the blocks.
As with most of the other ice tools, you can’t imagine how many different ways one could design a device to pick up blocks of ice. The basic difference between the ice tongs is whether you have to use one hand or two (and then the variations are unlimited). None of the tongs in my collection have any other function than the basic lifting of ice, however, there are some designed with chippers and with scales for weighing the blocks.
TONGS
CUBE MAKERS
Before the invention of the common ice cube maker or crushed ice machines that we are accustomed to using every day as part of a refrigerator, people used to have to work manually at making ice cubes. While ice cube trays are slowly becoming extinct, one such old-school device already has. These cube makers were filled with hot water and then set on top of ice blocks so the hot blades could melt down forming ice cubes. A chipper was then used to chip out the cubes. The Coolerator Co. is the most recognized name and producer of ice cube makers and chippers. Stan-More was another in the business and pictured below is a 1941 salesman’s sample of the Stan-More chipper.
Before the invention of the common ice cube maker or crushed ice machines that we are accustomed to using every day as part of a refrigerator, people used to have to work manually at making ice cubes. While ice cube trays are slowly becoming extinct, one such old-school device already has. These cube makers were filled with hot water and then set on top of ice blocks so the hot blades could melt down forming ice cubes. A chipper was then used to chip out the cubes. The Coolerator Co. is the most recognized name and producer of ice cube makers and chippers. Stan-More was another in the business and pictured below is a 1941 salesman’s sample of the Stan-More chipper.
ICE CUBE MAKERS
MISCELLANEOUS
Wow, what a catch-all description. Below are many more ice-related collectibles that I’ve accumulated purely out of an interest in Ice Tool sub-categories, although some are quite unusual.
Wow, what a catch-all description. Below are many more ice-related collectibles that I’ve accumulated purely out of an interest in Ice Tool sub-categories, although some are quite unusual.
ICE DELIVERY SIGNS
SAWS AND AUGER
SCALES
ICE PICK/COUPON HOLDERS & SHEATHES
TOYS ETC.
