Infill Planes
Chisels
Machinist Tools
Measuring Tools
Misc. Tools
Molding Planes
Saws
Stanley Tools
Wooden Planes
How We Grade Tool Condition
The Best Things understands the importance of an accurate condition grading system to customer satisfaction in a mail order business. In keeping with our philosophy, no mediocre tools are offered here. All of our tools will be special, either for their exemplary condition, aesthetic appeal, usability, or extreme rarity. Unless otherwise noted, all of our tools will be described by one of the following descriptors. Please look at these carefully, as our grading system is considerably more stringent that most accepted tool grading standards. Conditions below good are not listed because we do not deal in these grades.
Finally, the gradings we use here should not be compared with the gradings used in major tool auctions. Our gradings are much more stringent and accurate. Some of the auctions we attend seem to pick the condition gradings out of a hat and other seem to add a couple of grades to every tool. And of course in less formal settings, like Ebay, who knows. The following amusing quote, taking from a molding plane auction on Ebay, says it all. "It does have some dings and dirt, but still rates fine." The tools pictured would have rated Good on our website.
The issue of how past cleanings impact condition is hard to quantify. A proper museum grade cleaning does not impact condition, but at the other extreme, an English tool auction cleaning job will drop the condition rating by at least one grade if not two or three. We will always mention if we feel that a detrimental cleaning has occured and rest assured that no tool is rated G++ or better on our site that has been in the hands of an over-cleaner. Our preference is to find tools as they were layed down by the craftsman and let you carefully clean them.
New
This tool is in every way equivalent in condition to the day it was originally sold. This condition grading should rarely be used, and then only on twentieth century tools.
Mint
Few tools are truly mint. To us mint means showing no signs of having ever been used, and appearing in essentially the same condition as when it was new. The difference between mint and new is that mint tools can have slight patination of a pleasant kind. A new tool should show no signs of age.
Fine
Fine is the condition that most realistic but discerning collectors shoot for. A fine tool shows signs of careful, moderate use, but absolutely no signs of abuse. A fine tool will have a pleasing overall patina. If applicable, more than 95% of original finish should remain.
Good
A tool in good condition will show signs of considerable use, but in the hands of a skilled craftsman who knew how to treat a tool. Any signs of abuse should be absolutely minimal, such as a few hammer dents in the back of a molding plane, a common result of trying to loosen an overly tight wedge without the right tool. Tools in good condition should still have plenty of collector's appeal, with nice patina and an overall pleasing appearance.
User Grade
This is a tool that would probably not appeal to a collector's critical eye, but is still a very usable tool. For example, a tool that has been overcleaned, unless it is extremely rare, is only valuable as a user. Similarly, signs of abuse, such as a banged-up wedge on a wooden plane, destroy collector interest but normally don't impair usability.
A Plus or Minus
will often follow a condition rating, such as Good + or Fine -. This means that the tool is really close, but not quite good enough to be at that grade, or in the case of a plus, a bit better than that grade.
