Is there an actual difference between them or is it just a different name depending on what you use it for? People keep “Allen wrenches” to fix their bikes, but PC toolkits come with “hex keys”. Both tools look and feel exactly the same.
They are the same thing. “Allen Wrench” is a registered trademark for a particular brand of hex key.
Slight correction. “Allen” is the registered trademark.
The Allen company makes Allen wrenches. I have some of those. I’m sure the trademarked name has passed through a variety of companies over the years.
The Phillips Company makes Phillips screwdrivers, and the Crescent Tool Company makes Crescent wrenches, but nobody says ‘pass me that cross-tip sitting next to the open-end adjustable wrench’. Most people think that brand names are generics, I guess.
Allen specifically disclaims any trademark claim on “Allen wrench” (except in the slogan “The Allen Wrench People” in their ads). Other companies are thus free to call their tool an Allen wrench. Most likely, they lost a lawsuit and the name became public domain.
A lot of trademarked names/products that have become genericized, like Coke, interesting list.
Vice-Grips, Torx drivers, the list goes on.
I’m sure you meant to say “adjustable quick-release clamp-jawed pliers”.
Don’t you mean Vice Grips?
And did you know Channelocks are actually water pump pliers?
This is not a criticism of you, chefguy, but yes absolutely i have heard just such remarks many hundreds of times, haha. The penetration of the brand name association isn’t as strong outside of the US I imagine.
Allen key is pretty synonymous, but most people familiar with tools where i am from will call them hex keys and use other non branded identifiers the majority of the time.
Skil Saw used to be generic for any portable power saw. Now its called a circular saw.
Shows on HGTV and DIY try to get tradesmen to say reciprocating saw instead of SAWZALL . But often the older carpenters will say, I need the SAWZALL to cut a hole for a window. I’ve always heard carpenters say SAWZALL in the real world. No matter what brand tool they actually use.
Tongue and groove pliers.
Personally I like to screw with my apprentices and cycle through multiple names. It’s fun to see how long it takes before they realize I’m just screwing with them
‘Hand me the 14" Stillson, I’m going to need the 14" Ridgid again, wipe down the pipe wrench and put it away.’ By the time they’ve worked with me for a bit they know every possible tool name for the ones I use.
Bondhus makes an allen wrench hex key that has a ball end on the long end that enables the wrench to be held at various angles while still being engaged in the screw.
http://bondhus.com/bondhus_products/tool_categories/l-wrenches/index.html
Have you asked him to get a spanner out of your toolbox yet?
Amazing how many young guys don’t know that term.
I don’t like using spanner for my mechanics wrenches, they are all combo box end wrenches in my standard bag. I feel spanner is more appropriate to duel open end wrenches.
I agree spanners are open end wrenches. Goes back to when they were designed to wind springs. They are open ended in Webster’s illustrations.
http://beta.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spanner
When I was a kid we called them “Allen Keys” which portmanteaus both, so there’s a useless data point for you.
Not PC, but from hanging around bike shops I’ve heard that called a Mexican speed wrench.
There is also the BFR - Big Fucking Wrench.