Behold: The all-aluminum Kirby Hand Vac “Utility”

[broomvac]

Hello Kirby fans,

I thought you all might be interested in seeing this thing. It’s an all-aluminum vintage Kirby handheld vacuum cleaner called the Kirby “Utility.” Unfortunately, this unit is not mine. It belongs to one of the local vacuum stores and the owner of the place will not sell it. Trust me, I want it just as badly as you all do!

He did allow me to snap a few pictures to share with you all.

Enjoy!

 

[lesinutah]

Sweet

That is sweet. It is great condition.
Les

 

[lesinutah]

Wait

Kirby had model c commercial
H was household. I believe its model h thats all I know.

 

[tolivac]

Very strange looking vacuum-appears to be some sort of hand vacuum.NEVER seen one of these-no wonder the vac place wants to keep it!Forerunner to the Douglas hand vacuum???

 

[lesinutah]

Hey

Im wondering if handle was put on it had longer handle. I mean no handvac has wheels.
I bet it had big handle based on the wheels.
Les

 

[kc_kirby]

Kirby Utility

I have one too in my collection. The thread I started when I got it: http://www.vacuumland.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?7534. I have since found another one at a vac shop that the owner won't sell. He knows what it is and how rare it is. I have never seen a Utility with any kind of long handle, just the small loop one as in the pics. I have never seen another Kirby with a model designation of "H", it was only used on the Utility. My guess is maybe it stand for Hand held since its a hand vacuum. I am not sure the purpose of the wheels but I'm sure there is a logical reason. The Utility can actually be used as a blower too and also to distribute moth ball crystals. I have seen the patent as well and it looks very much like the production model except the handle is a straight handle rather than a loop. There also exists a private label version called "Thomas A Edison Edicraft Utility Cleaner.". You can find all this by simply doing a search in the archives, its been discussed several times, just not very recently.

 

[kirby519]

I'm surprised that isn't included in their line up of models of Kirbys manufactured. I also don't remember seeing anything in Kirby's written history about the utility vacuum. I would like to see one up close and possibly try it out.

With a 3 amp motor and a small nozzle it should have had pretty good suction power.

 

[kirbyvertibles]

A vacuum shop a hour from me has one. He also will not sell it. A few of us have tried.

I do believe this basically used the model C motor so yes it would have great suction.

 

[nomad121]

Kirby Utility Model H

I have a Kirby Utility Model H all original it even runs (motor needs brushes though) original bag and cord. I was wondering what something like this might be worth? Photos attached.