# STL358: He Hunts For Tools, So You Don't Have To

- Show: [Shop Talk Live](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live)
- Published: 2026-01-23
- Length: 1h 09m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2026-01-23-stl358-he-hunts-for-tools-so-you-dont-have-to
- Listen: https://shoptalklive.podcast.static.taunton.com/stl358-he-hunts-for-tools-so-you-dont-have-to

## Summary

Joshua Clarke, founder of Hyperkitten Tool Company, discusses his business sourcing and selling high-quality vintage hand tools, explaining how he transitioned from a hobbyist on the Old Tools email list to a professional dealer after being featured by Christopher Schwarz. Clarke details the specific market dynamics for Stanley planes, noting that user-focused tools like the No. 4 and No. 5 sell rapidly, while collectors focus on rare items, and he highlights alternative brands like Sargent, Miller's Falls, and Craftsman as valuable, affordable options. He also covers the historical context of New England tool manufacturing, the importance of estate sales for sourcing, and current trends in woodworking such as the resurgence of interest in vintage tape measures and shrink pot tools.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2026-01-23-stl358-he-hunts-for-tools-so-you-dont-have-to#t=6) Introduction: Josh Clarke and Hyperkitten Tool Company
- [4:32](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2026-01-23-stl358-he-hunts-for-tools-so-you-dont-have-to#t=272) Clarke's Origin Story: From Hand Tools to Hyperkitten
- [11:05](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2026-01-23-stl358-he-hunts-for-tools-so-you-dont-have-to#t=665) Business Model: Estate Sales, User Tools, and Pricing
- [25:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2026-01-23-stl358-he-hunts-for-tools-so-you-dont-have-to#t=1512) New England Tool Manufacturing History: Stanley, Sargent, and Swan
- [31:29](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2026-01-23-stl358-he-hunts-for-tools-so-you-dont-have-to#t=1889) The Slater Tool Chest and English vs. American Plane Finishes
- [40:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2026-01-23-stl358-he-hunts-for-tools-so-you-dont-have-to#t=2447) Market Trends: Collectors vs. Users and Hidden Gems like Craftsman
- [54:24](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2026-01-23-stl358-he-hunts-for-tools-so-you-dont-have-to#t=3264) Sourcing Strategies: Flea Markets, Online Auctions, and Tool Meets
- [1:01:26](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2026-01-23-stl358-he-hunts-for-tools-so-you-dont-have-to#t=3686) Wooden Plane Durability, Worm Damage, and Current Trends

## Topics

- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Maker community & events](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/maker-community)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Hyperkitten Tool Company (company)
- Christopher Schwarz (other)
- Stanley (company)
- Sargent (company)
- Miller's Falls (company)
- Craftsman (company)
- Lufkin (company)
- Buck Brothers (company)
- Brown and Sharp (company)
- Record (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Episode 094: Being a hoarder is a big job…](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2016-10-28-episode-094-being-a-hoarder-is-a-big-job) (Making It)
- [Making It #010: If it looks straight….](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2015-02-26-making-it-010-if-it-looks-straight) (Making It)
- [361: It’s complicated](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2022-07-08-361-its-complicated) (Making It)
- [Episode 056: #freetools](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2016-01-29-episode-056-freetools) (Making It)
- [Episode 248: The old man and the leaky pipes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2020-02-14-episode-248-the-old-man-and-the-leaky-pipes) (Making It)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2026-01-23-stl358-he-hunts-for-tools-so-you-dont-have-to. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Shop Talk Live.