# Is there a difference between Allen wrenches and hex keys? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 4, 2015, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-difference-between-allen-wrenches-and-hex-keys/739409 "2015-12-04T14:46:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2015, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-difference-between-allen-wrenches-and-hex-keys/739409/21 "2015-12-05T16:25:42Z")
How about carpenters’ trangle squares? Everybody calls them “speed squares” but that name belongs to Swanson. > **[Speed square](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speed_square)** > > A speed square, also called a rafter square, rafter angle square, and triangle square, is a multi-purpose triangular carpenters' tool use for marking out. Its functions include many of those of a combination square, try square, and framing square. Carpenters use it to make basic measurements and mark lines on dimensional lumber, and as a saw guide for short 45 and 90 degree cuts. > The term "speed square" is a genericised trademark based on those owned by Swanson Tool Company which first manufactu... ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2015, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-difference-between-allen-wrenches-and-hex-keys/739409/22 "2015-12-05T16:54:04Z")
> [@boytyperanma](#): > > 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. [This](http://assets.newport.com/web600w-EN/images/1111193.jpg) is a “spanner.” Those other things are open-ended (or combo) wrenches. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2015, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-difference-between-allen-wrenches-and-hex-keys/739409/23 "2015-12-05T18:23:59Z")
OK, but what’s a [3/17 occipital left-leaning Heterodyne wrench](http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20031128#.VmMr33uBLS8)? ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2015, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-difference-between-allen-wrenches-and-hex-keys/739409/24 "2015-12-05T19:09:33Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > OK, but what’s a [3/17 occipital left-leaning Heterodyne wrench](http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20031128#.VmMr33uBLS8)? That’s an old-fashion Stillson wrench in the UK. Here in the good old US of A it’s a Monkey wrench, once believed to be named after [Charles Moncky](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monkey_wrench#Charles_Moncky_story) but actually named so because of its utility in all sorts of monkey business. ---
**Author:** ![boytyperanma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4491bb/32.png) [@boytyperanma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boytyperanma)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2015, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-difference-between-allen-wrenches-and-hex-keys/739409/25 "2015-12-05T20:08:02Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > [This](http://assets.newport.com/web600w-EN/images/1111193.jpg) is a “spanner.” > > Those other things are open-ended (or combo) wrenches. That is a specific type of spanner, a pin spanner or retaining ring spanner. The term spanner is used for a variety of wrenches including open-ended wrenches. I’d certainly refer to the [wrenches I use on my angle grinders](http://www.buckeyetoolsupply.com/product_images/q/838/401680_00__11918.jpg) as ‘spanner’ wrench and they look totally different then the spanner you linked. ---
**Author:** ![boytyperanma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4491bb/32.png) [@boytyperanma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boytyperanma)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2015, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-difference-between-allen-wrenches-and-hex-keys/739409/26 "2015-12-05T20:16:55Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > That’s an old-fashion Stillson wrench in the UK. Here in the good old US of A it’s a Monkey wrench, once believed to be named after [Charles Moncky](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monkey_wrench#Charles_Moncky_story) but actually named so because of its utility in all sorts of monkey business. Brits always stealing proper English terms and reusing them for something else… A ‘Stillson’ wrench has teeth, they were made for pipe like the inventor intended!. A monkey wrench doesn’t have teeth, so they are terrible for pipe. They are used on a variety of nuts and bolts and what not(frequently automotive) also known as a ‘Ford’ wrench. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2015, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-difference-between-allen-wrenches-and-hex-keys/739409/27 "2015-12-05T20:29:02Z")
> [@boytyperanma](#): > > That is a specific type of spanner, a pin spanner or retaining ring spanner. The term spanner is used for a variety of wrenches including open-ended wrenches. I’d certainly refer to the [wrenches I use on my angle grinders](http://www.buckeyetoolsupply.com/product_images/q/838/401680_00__11918.jpg) as ‘spanner’ wrench and they look totally different then the spanner you linked. Not really. Yours are just fixed - the one I linked to is adjustable (and precision). Both type mate with holes or slots at the periphery of the nut. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2015, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-difference-between-allen-wrenches-and-hex-keys/739409/28 "2015-12-05T20:54:22Z")
> [@boytyperanma](#): > > A ‘Stillson’ wrench has teeth, they were made for pipe like the inventor intended! That was just a cartoon drawing. An actual occipital left-leaning Heterodyne wrench is a Pipe wrench. ---
**Author:** ![boytyperanma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4491bb/32.png) [@boytyperanma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boytyperanma)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2015, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-difference-between-allen-wrenches-and-hex-keys/739409/29 "2015-12-05T21:05:45Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > Not really. > Yours are just fixed - the one I linked to is adjustable (and precision). Both type mate with holes or slots at the periphery of the nut. Puts them in the same family of spanner wrenches. Pin spanners. How about [hook spanners](http://www.bloomertool.com/images/890.JPG)? ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2015, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-difference-between-allen-wrenches-and-hex-keys/739409/30 "2015-12-05T21:10:16Z")
> [@boytyperanma](#): > > Puts them in the same family of spanner wrenches. Pin spanners. > > How about [hook spanners](http://www.bloomertool.com/images/890.JPG)? I would call that the “you know… the wrench that loosens the water filter cartridge housing” wrench. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![boytyperanma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4491bb/32.png) [@boytyperanma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boytyperanma)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2015, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-difference-between-allen-wrenches-and-hex-keys/739409/31 "2015-12-05T21:23:21Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > I would call that the “you know… the wrench that loosens the water filter cartridge housing” wrench. > 😃 Yeah that’s what I use them for when I can’t find the correct cartridge filter wrench. ---
**Author:** ![Richox](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@Richox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richox)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2015, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-difference-between-allen-wrenches-and-hex-keys/739409/32 "2015-12-06T01:00:53Z")
> [@boytyperanma](#): > > Puts them in the same family of spanner wrenches. Pin spanners. > > How about [hook spanners](http://www.bloomertool.com/images/890.JPG)? We call them C-spanners. And crescent wrenches are called ‘shifters’ or ‘adjustable spanners’ - and incidentally have been banned from use in a lot of workplaces I have been in - apparently slipping is a safety concern. go figure. I’m surprised at the international variety of names in the common tool catalogue. Must make for some confusing moments and plenty of ribbing if a tradesmen relocates himself internationally. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-difference-between-allen-wrenches-and-hex-keys/739409.md?page=1)