EXHIBIT 23.1

                        Consent of Independent Auditors

We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the
Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 333-00000) and related prospectus of The
Stanley Works (the "Company") for the registration of up to $900,000,000 of one
or more securities of the Company including, without limitation, debt
securities, preferred stock, common stock, warrants, depositary shares, stock
purchase contracts and stock purchase units and to the incorporation by
reference therein of our report dated March 21, 2003, with respect to the
consolidated financial statements and schedule of the Company included in its
Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 28, 2002, filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.


                                                      /s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Hartford, Connecticut
November 3, 2003