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) (which also constitutes
Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement (Form S-3 No.
333-110279)) and related combined 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 January 28, 2004 (except for Note V, as to which
the date is March 9, 2004), with respect to the consolidated financial
statements and schedule of the Company included in its Annual Report (Form
10-K) for the year ended January 3, 2004, filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.


                                                       /s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Hartford, Connecticut
July 21, 2004