HWI ( now DoItBest ) Thorsen beam style combo wrenches

[Hickory n Steel]

I've wanted a set of the Thorsen beam styles for a long time,and recently these popped up quite cheap on Ebay.
I don't think anybody was familiar with the name, neither was I but at I definitely recognized the wrenches.

[Muddy]

Good looking wrenches!

[skfarmer]

nice wrenches.

now what the hell is hwi?

[Hickory n Steel]

nice wrenches.

now what the hell is hwi?

Hardware Wholesalers Inc.
As I understand it they were a Co-op  hardware supply chain network so to speak,mom n pop hardware stores could join and have access to their distribution network / supply chain without having to change their name.
I guess they still work this way today,and you are not required to be called a DoItBest hardware.

[Hickory n Steel]

Good looking wrenches!

I just wish I could get more of them.
I can find the Thorsens,but I'm not sure if HWI contracted anything other than these metrics and they're only a 6pc set anyways.
If I could get some SAE's too I'd replace the late Danahar NAPA's I have in my go box.
Those NAPA's are not great with the chrome peel on some of the box ends, I'm thinking they were factory second closeout or something because the finish varies.