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Wooden Planes

Explanation of Our Condition Grading System

Frequently Asked Vintage Tool Questions



for British, Canadian, & European Wooden Planes

American Wooden Planes



S. Rowell S. Rowell

WP24075 S. Rowell A right hand side rabbet plane. Looking at the blade and the side of the plane were it would contact the workpiece, I see no evidence that this plane was used. A collector has lightly "cleaned" it with steel wool, which is why it didn't grade as fine. Side rabbets are really great users planes and I wouldn't be without them. G++ $48



M & A. Copeland M & A. Copeland M & A. Copeland

WP24059 M & A. Copeland A classic moving fillester. It has a delicate boxwood wedged nicker, not the more common friction fit nicker. The boxing seems to have come down a bit and needs to be pulled out and glued back in. The fence has the typical splits from the brass guides restraining the fence from shrinking. This is no big deal, but somebody has put nails into the fence where it has the splits. Everyone needs a good fillester and this one will make a great user. G+ $99


L. De Forest, Birmingham, Ct L. De Forest, Birmingham, Ct L. De Forest, Birmingham, Ct L. De Forest, Birmingham, Ct

WP240216 L. De Forest, Birmingham, Ct I bought this plane years ago because I loved it and it fascinated me, but... It is a solid boxwood smoothing plane with the most perfect boxwood color you could ever hope for. From the right side, the front, or the back it looks great. However, it has a huge age crack in the boxwood on the left side. It is not damage, it is just what boxwood sometimes does when it gets old. I always displayed it showing the right side. I have never seen an American boxowood smoother in as crisp a condition, or with such great color. On top of that, but a great maker. What a shame, but I still love it. G+ $75


John Veit, Phila. Cor. New Market & Green Street John Veit, Phila. Cor. New Market & Green Street John Veit, Phila. Cor. New Market & Green Street

WP240117 John Veit, Phila. Cor. New Market & Green Street A lovely 3/4" dado plane. It has a pleasing medium patina and has that look of not having been cleaned, but probably was very carefully cleaned by the collector we bought this from. If a tool is properly cleaned, it should look untouched. The one negative on this plane is that somebody drilled a hole and added a thumbscrew to the friction fit depth stop. The thumbscrew is gone but the hole remains. You can see from the threads that it was a modert steel thumbscrew that had to go. The depth stop is plenty tight with the original friction fit. G+ $65


Kneass & Co. Philada Kneass & Co. Philada Kneass & Co. Philada Kneass & Co. Philada

WP230711 Kneass & Co. Philada A nice early 19th Century medium sized adjustable panel raiser. The maximum cut width is 1 3/4". It has an original round-topped James Cam iron. The fence and the shoulder are both beveled to match the bevel of the work. That is a nice touch that one sees on Philadephia panel raisers. It has been properly waxed by a collector. Something has fallen on the tote spur and cracked it, but no wood is missing. It has never been glued and the split is a bit open. There is also an old hand forged nail holding the tote in. Most Philadelphia panel raisers that I see are larger and later. This is a great example. G+ $239


J&A Fish, Chicago J&A Fish, Chicago

WP230229 J&A Fish, Chicago James & Alexander Fish were actually listed as planemakers, not dealers, in Chicago from 1853 - 1855. It appears that later they were reselling Ohio Tool Co. planes. This is a 1" going and coming match plane. It is marked with the maker's mark and the size on both ends, which is unusual. It is suited for stock from 7/8" to 1 1/8". Untouched original condition. G+ $109



Auburn Tool Co. Auburn, NY Auburn Tool Co. Auburn, NY Auburn Tool Co. Auburn, NY Auburn Tool Co. Auburn, NY Auburn Tool Co. Auburn, NY

WP230111 Auburn Tool Co. Auburn, NY A superb unhandled rosewood plow plane with decorative tips. This plane retains its original French polished finish. The brass plate has a lovely untouched patina and the iron skate has a light patina. The rosewood has particularly nice color and figure. When I got this plane it was untouched in modern times and I cleaned and waxed it properly. The boxwood arms have no major damage, although there are the scattered chips that are to be expected. The 7/16" wide blade that is in plane is the original blade. It is the best example of its kind that I have had, or for that matter can recall seeing. G++ $695


Sandusky Tool Co. 133 Sandusky Tool Co. 133 Sandusky Tool Co. 133 Sandusky Tool Co. 133 Sandusky Tool Co. 133 Sandusky Tool Co. 133

WP221116 Sandusky Tool Co. 133 In nearly 40 years of tool dealing this is the first time that I have found a really nice rosewood plow with decorative tips, that has never been molested by an old time collector. These finacy plows were the holy grail to old time collectors and when they found them, they invariably overcleaned them. In fact, I did a quick search on Sandusky Tool Co. 133 and a heavily overcleaned example comes up on a competitor's website, sold for $1500. This one has its original French polished finish. The skate is not rusty and the brass plate has a nice patina. The brass depth stop adjuster also has a nice patina and has clearly not been removed. Whenever these have been removed, it is usually obvious, and not in a good way. The decorative tips are yellowed, as is normal on genuine examples. More faking of these have been done than one would think. Expecially back in the 70s and 80s. On the negative side, this one has some modest chipping on the rosewood threads and the wedge finial is pretty bad. One of the rosewood nuts was craked and glued. This is a period repair and could be made invisible without much trouble. Also, one of thesteel screws that hold the fence to the arms was replaced. I would have John Porrit make a new wedge. Otherwise you just want to clean it with a soft cloth and museum grade wax. This is a gem for serious collector and priced very gently to allow you plenty of margin to get a wedge made and still come out ahead. It comes with one 1/4" Sandusky marked iron that is original to this plane. G++ $899


W. Cooley, Blackstone St. Boston W. Cooley, Blackstone St. Boston

WP160322 W. Cooley, Blackstone St. Boston This is a very rare form by a rare maker. A 1/4" curved dado plane. This plane is not standard length, it is more coachmaker size. As found condition, it is quite crisp, but with a dirty, blotchy patina. This plane needs a careful cleaning. Highly recommended for the advanced collector. G+ $249




B. Sheneman, Phila B. Sheneman, Phila B. Sheneman, Phila

WP211159 B. Sheneman, Phila A rare miniature applewood Philadelphia smoothing plane from the Carl Bopp collection of Philadphia tools. The body has a lovely patina. The wedge is beech, which was done because it holds better than applewood on applewood, which is so hard that it doesn't compress enough to hold well. There is a split on the right side in the usual spot. The front is lower than the rear from use. This plane was clearly well used, but cared for. G+ $89


T. Goldsmith

WP230434 T. Goldsmith A small groove plane that was once part of a 1/2" match plane pair. The actual blade is a fat 1/8". As found condition with flat chamfers and an early 19th Century look. Free to the first person who orders it and spends at least $200 on old tools. G+ $0




C. Lindenberger C. Lindenberger C. Lindenberger

WP200155 C. Lindenberger Christopher Lindenberger was a son of the famous Rhode Island planemaker John Lindenberger. He migrated to Columbus Ohio and this plane was probably made in Ohio. The mark is quite a scarce mark and is ranked as a 3 star mark in Tom's book. This plane is in decent as found condition. It is missing the blade and wedge, as well as one of the arm wedges. I am suspicious that the existing arm wedge is replaced, but I can't see why anyone would replace just one wedge when both were missing. The back of the plane bears the dreaded "J.A. Moody" stamp and inventory number. J.A Moody was an early collector, who wrote the book, American Wooden Plow Planes. The edge of the fence is reeded, an unusual but attractive touch. An important plane for a collector of early Ohio tools, that can easily be restored to be quite presentable. G++ $99




for top of American Wooden Planes



British, Canadian, European & Other Wooden Planes



King & Compe, Hull King & Compe, Hull King & Compe, Hull

WP241033 King & Compe, Hull A scarce small sized pair of match planes. These planes would be best suited to stock from 5/16" to 1/2" thick. The planes have a dark patina from linseed oil. The plus side of this is that heavily oiled planes are rarely warped, and warped match planes are useless. The groove iron has some rust and needs cleaning up. The tongue plane has a bit of deforation on the wedge finial. The planes are otherwise crisp. G++ $65



A. Berry, Opposite Police Station, 46 Old Street A. Berry, Opposite Police Station, 46 Old Street A. Berry, Opposite Police Station, 46 Old Street

WP240623 A. Berry, Opposite Police Station, 46 Old Street A very scarce fly rod maker's plane. The cut is about 5/16" wide and the blade is bedded at nearly 90 dgrees. There are some scattered nail holes and somewhat has tested some punches on the sides. I recall seeing one other ever. G+ Sold




Marsden Brothers, Sheffield Marsden Brothers, Sheffield Marsden Brothers, Sheffield Marsden Brothers, Sheffield

WP240515 Marsden Brothers, Sheffield A particularly nice wooden mitre plane with a boxwood mouth wear compensator. The plane is 13" long and has a 2 1/8" wide iron that is also marked Marsden Brothers and which I would presume is original to the plane. It has a pleasing medium dark patina. The blade is near full original lenth and the wear piece has not been used much, if at all. This is one of the nicest English wooden mitre planes that I have handled. G+ $369


Illegible Illegible Illegible

WP24046 Illegible A very scarce 1 3/8" rebate plane with a boxwood sole with adjustable mouth. The sole is keyed into the beech body and the front part of the sole can slide in the key adjust the mouth. It is locked by a screw on top of the plane. The plane has some hammer marks on the front from adjusting it that have obscured the mark. I can read Birmingham. This is a well used plane but it will still make a great user. Good $59


Ohgata Ohgata Ohgata Ohgata

WP23069 Ohgata A new in the box Takuminokaho plane with a 75mm blade. Mr Ohgata is retired now but he was one of the great Japanese planemakers of our time. This plane remains new in its original pauluwnia box. Mint $389





Edward Preston & Sons Edward Preston & Sons Edward Preston & Sons

WP230216 Edward Preston & Sons A Preston pattern chamfer plane in nice condition, having been lightly cleaned by a collector. It still retains much of its original polished finish and the brass nose is crirp and unpolished. The blade is unmarked, but I am sure that it is original, and it is full original length. These are actually really useful planes and if you do any chamfering I would recommend it. G++ $135



Hotzapfel & Co, 64 Charing Cross Hotzapfel & Co, 64 Charing Cross Hotzapfel & Co, 64 Charing Cross

WP220815 Hotzapfel & Co, 64 Charing Cross A most unusual set of match planes. These are for joining stock from 1/8" to 1/4" thick. The groove blade is not much thicker than 1/32". I acquired these from the collection of Hal Prucha about 30 years ago. I never thought that I would ever part with them, but it is time to let somebody else enjoy them. Hal thought that they were for making early cameras, to ensure air tight joints. That is as good an explanation as any, but I wouldn't want to pretend that I know. It did have another pair of these, by a different maker, about 5 years ago. They were nice, but not as good as these. They measure 7 3/4" long. The condition is best descibes as sublime. Fine $795


I Scofield I Scofield

MP200447 I Scofield A nice as found right hand side rebate. G++ $39








Antique Wooden Plane Antique Wooden Plane

WP80428 Unmarked This is a rare matched pair of Scottish door check planes. They have been in my collection for more than 25 years. They are uncleaned and could use a careful waxing. The right side plane is in perfect condition, little used with a full iron. The left side plane is more worn, and the iron is down below the top of the wedge, and the side is split from shrinkage on the blade. It is still perfectly useable and in fact I did use it once years ago. I don't recall ever seeing another pair of these rare planes. They are 4 3/8" long. G+ $149



Unmarked

WP240613 Unmarked A single grooving plane from a T&G set. The blade is aobut 5/32" wide. The wedge is broken off. This plane could be restored and used as a drawer bottom plane. Free to the first person who orders it and spends at least $100 on old tools. G- $0






Antique Wooden Plane Antique Wooden Plane Antique Wooden Plane

WP110215 Unmarked A lovely fruitwood smoothing plane that I would guess is either south German, Swiss, or Austrian. Very nicely decorated, and with a very pleasing patina. I am not sure of the age, but it could be 18th Century. The iron is marked "FRHA" with a mark that certainly looks like it could be 18th Century. There is some old worming, primarily towards the front. Measures 11 3/8" long. I have had this plane for 20 years, and before that it was in the great Harold Prucha collection. Highly recommended. Good $399

Irons and Cap Irons (Blades and Chip Breakers)



Mannings Patent Mannings Patent

WP24105 Mannings Patent This style cap iron is something that I have seen a few times before over the years, but I never bothered to take one out before and see that it is in fact a patented feature. It has a cutout at the top which exposes the hole in the blade. I see not functional reason for this. The cap iron has the I. Sorby Punch Brand logo on it, but the blade is by I. & H. Sorby. It is a 2 1/2" wide tapered iron with 1 1/2" left to the hole. G++ $45


James Howarth

WP241024 James Howarth A 2" wide toothing plane iron in nice as found condition. Measures 6 1/2" overall. G++ $45






Three Matching American Plow Irons

WP241026 Three Matching American Plow Irons These three plow irons all of hte same owner's initials marked on the back. The sizes are 5/15", 3/8", and 5/8". They have a pleasing patina. G++ $29





Hearnshaw Bros & Mathieson Hearnshaw Bros & Mathieson

WP241028 Hearnshaw Bros & Mathieson A 2 1/2" wide Hearnshaw tapered iron with a Mathieson cap iron. The cap iron has what appears to be a date stamped onto it, "6-8-39". These have been together a long time, despite being different makers. G+ $29




Moulson Brothers

WP241032 Moulson Brothers A matching pair of plow irons, both with the same owner's mark. The sizes are 3/16" and 5/8". Nice patinated surface. G++ Sold





Buck Brothers Buck Brothers

MI180848 Buck Brothers A rare matching graduated set of tapered bench plane irons by the premier American edge tool maker. The sizes are 1 1/4", 1 3/8", a fat 1 3/8", and 1 5/8". These irons are all in lovely untouched condition and are all unused old stock. I bought these about 25 years ago from an old collector. They have clearly been together since new. I've never seen another set like this before or since. Fine $165



John Herring & Sons, Sheffield John Herring & Sons, Sheffield

MI180632 John Herring & Sons, Sheffield This is a sealed original package of 3 plane irons, 1 1/2" wide and cut for a cap iron. Finding a package of pre-war irons still in the wrapper is amazing. The string that wraps them is sealed with a yellow sticker that appears to be Thai writing. I am guessing that they were made for a special order that was never delivered and then just sat somewhere. Fine $99



Kellett Kellett

MI120414 Kellett's Patent Plane Iron This is the only example that I have seen of this 1884 Patent bench plane iron. There are two cap irons, one on top of the other. I have a print out of the patent but I was too lazy to read it to see what old Kellett had in mind. Whatever it was, I don't think that it made him a wealthy man. This is a rare survivor from the Age of Invention. Good $39



Brades & Co. Brades & Co.

WP230232 Brades & Co. A 2 3/4" wide round topped iron with 15/16" remaining. G+ $25






Spear & Jackson Spear & Jackson

WP230237 Spear & Jackson A 2 1/2" single iron. It is well worn and measures 5 1/2" overall. G+ $14






Buck Brothers Buck Brothers

WP22117 Buck Brothers An original 19th Century Buck Brothers box for 1/2 dozen 2 1/4" wide plane irons, and now containing one such iron. The iron has been gound properly for use in a jack or fore plane and has a gentle curve to the edge, but it has its full original length. It has some slight deformation of the upper edge, so it clearly was used a bit. It measures 7 13/16" overall. THe box has a nice exterior including the label for the Philadelphia exhibition. There is some added brown paper tape to the interior, carefully applied to reinforce corners. This has been in my collection for years. G++ $75


E.M. Chapin, Pine Meadow, Conn

WP220925 E.M. Chapin, Pine Meadow, Conn A matched set of 6 graduated plow irons in sizes 1/8, 3/16, 1/4, 7/16, 1/2, and 5/8". E.M. Chapin was one of H. Chapin's sons and a partner in the Union Factory business. He took over the company after H. Chapin died, but Idon't know what his name was marked on some blades but not on planes. These blaes all have some light surface rust and some defornmation to the tops. The two smallest sizes have a slight bend , as seen in the photo, which is easy to correct. G+ $89



Set of 4 Plow Irons Set of 4 Plow Irons

WP220114 Set of 4 Plow Irons This is a matching set of 4 plow irons from an original set of 8. They are not marked, but are relatively early, late 18th or early 19th Century. The sizes are 5/32", 3/8", 7/16", & 9/16". They are in as found condition with light oxidation. G+ $39




Unmarked Unmarked

WP240218 Unmarked A 2" wide cap iron that is punched through and threaded with no bolster. The screw is missing. Free to the first person who orders it and spends at least $80 on old tools. G+ $0





W. Butcher W. Butcher

WP211270 W. Butcher A 2 5/8" cap iron in nice as found condition. It has a medium patina and some light rust. Signed W. Butcher cap irons are not easy to find. G+ $35





I&H Sorby I&H Sorby

WP211267 I&H Sorby A matching set of four plow irons, probably early part of the 19th Century. The sizes are 3/16", 5/16", 3/8", and 7/16". The 3/16" is heavily rusted at the very end, but with some minor grinding it will be good to go. The 7/16" is rusty at the top end, but is fine to use. They are otherwise in nice as found condition. G+ $39




Three Early Plow Irons Three Early Plow Irons

WP211275 Three Early Plow Irons These are 3 unrelated British plow irons, but all signed by early makers. First is a 7/16" by F. Stones. Second a 7/16" by James Cam. Third a 9/16" by Partridge that is ground to a V. At $15 each these are cheap for 18th Century irons. G+ $45




Dwights French & Co. Dwights French & Co.

WP211277 Dwights French & Co. A matching set of 3 American plow irons which are quite thick. The sizes are 1/8", 3/16", and 11/16". G+ $39





Unmarked Unmarked

WP210753 Unmarked A lovely as found 2" cap iron. I think that it is relatively early. Fine- $24






Alexr Mathieson & Son, Glasgow Alexr Mathieson & Son, Glasgow

WP21078 Alexr Mathieson & Son, Glasgow A 2 1/8" cap iron in honest as found condition. Would clean to better than G+ $20






Unmarked Unmarked

WP210714 Unmarked A nice as found American chip breaker in 2 1/8" size. This is the style where the steel is threaded and there is no bolster. G+ $20





Unmarked

WP210718 Unmarked A 2 3/16" wide cap iron in dark as found condition. The corners of the working edge have been radiused. The screw is missing. Free to the first person who orders it and spends at least $100 on old tools. Good $0




Unmarked

WP210722 Unmarked This is a horrible looking, but probably quite early, 2 3/16: wide cap iron. It is the early type where a hole was punched into it and threaded. The original hole is plugged with something, it might just be dirt, and there is a later second hole. Free to the first person who orders it and spends at least $50 on old tools. G- $0




A Mathieson & Son, Glasgow A Mathieson & Son, Glasgow

WP210639 A Mathieson & Son, Glasgow A very nice as found 2 1/2" wide cap iron. G++ $30






Unmarked Unmarked

WP210645 Unmarked A 2 1/2" wide American made chip breaker with medium dark patina. Some mushrooming on the sides and top from being struck with a hammer to adjust. G+ $25





Unmarked Unmarked

WP210659 Unmarked A 2 1/4" American chip-breaker in as found condition. It needs only a light cleaning and it should rate at least G+ $19





Fred Green, Sheffield Fred Green, Sheffield

WP210665 Fred Green, Sheffield A 1 15/16" wide cap-iron with very light surface rust on the top side. It should clean up nicely. G+ $16






J& R. Dodge J& R. Dodge

WP210618 J& R. Dodge An unused double rabbet (rebate) iron. It measures 13/16" wide. Toland used irons like this one. Dodge is a scarce maker and I am not sure where they were based. I recall having a chisel by them years ago. Nice untouched and unused condition. Fine $45




Unmarked

WP210476 Unmarked A 2 7/16" wide cap iron that is in nice as found condition, but the screw is missing. It is only marked Waranted Steel. It is lightly rusted where the wedge of a plane was not covering it. Free to the first person who orders it and spends at least $100 on old tools. G+ $0




James Cam James Cam

WP210448 James Cam A 2 1/8" wide iron that has 1 1/8" remaining and is 5 15/16" overall. Presumably from a small smoothing plane. It has light pitting over much of its surface. Good $18





Auburn Tool Co

WP201135 Auburn Tool Co A 2 1/8" wide un-cut tapered iron that meaures 6 7/8" overall. The edge is ground with a pronounced curvature, more than you would want for a jack plane. It was probably last used in a scrub configuration. G+ $25




Unmarked

Unmarked

WP201063 Unmarked A 2" wide cap-iron that has light oxidation. This is the kind were there is no protruding bolster. It is almost certainly American. G+ $18





Unmarked

WP2004116 Unmarked A nice as found 2" cap iron. It is missing the screw. G++ $9






Gleave & Son, Manchester

WP2004104 Gleave & Son, Manchester A nice as found 2" cap iron. The bolster has been ground down a bit to provide clearance for something. G+ $16





Unmarked

WP200433 Unmarked A 2 1/4" wide cap iron that has been cleaned and has some patches of light pitting. The bolster has been ground down a bit to clear a lever cap. G+ $16





A Mathieson & Son, Glasgow

WP200438 A Mathieson & Son, Glasgow An as found cap-iron measuring just over 2 1/16" wide. The bolster has been ground down a bit. G+ $16






W. Butcher

WP20047 W. Butcher A 2 7/16" wide iron that is ground for use in a panel raiser. It has 1 1/6" remaining. G+ $15






Illegible

WP20048 Illegible A 2 1/4" wide tapered iron that is ground properly for a jack plane with a gentle curve to the edge. It has 1 7/8" remaining. The working end is OK but the top half of the blade is pitted. Still a great user. Good $19






W. Marples

WP20049 W. Marples A 2" wide tapered iron with 1 1/4" remaining. G+ $12






W. Butcher

WP200410 W. Butcher A tapered iron that masures just over 2 1/4" wide and has 1 1/2" remaining. The upper half is pitted and the lower half has some extremely light surface rust that will polish off without any issues. G+ $19





W. Marples & Sons

WP191126 W. Marples & Sons A 2 1/2" cap iron with no screw. Some light rust. G+ $12






W. Butcher

WP190956 W. Butcher A 2 3/8" wide iron that measures 6 1/8" overall and has been ground with a curve, either for a gutter plane or a pattern maker's plane. Nice untouched condition. G++ $16





W. Gilpin

WP19092 W. Gilpin A 2 7/16" wide iron with orignal cap iron. Rusty overall. The blade has 1 3/8" left on it. The cap iron is the early type were a hole was punched into it and then threaded, rather than installing a bolster. The mark is an early mark with a crown over Gilpin. Good $15




Hancock Tool, Extra Steel

WP190125 Hancock Tool, Extra Steel A 2 1/4" tapered iron with its orginal cap iron. This is a good cap-iron for an infill plane because it doesn't have a bolster to interfere with the lever cap. This iron has 1 5/16" remaining. As found with light surface oxidation. G+ $29




Sandusky Tool Co

MI180823 Sandusky Tool Co A 2 1/8" tapered iron with a lovely untouched patina. 1 7/8" remains to the hole. There is moderate mushrooming to the top and a bit of rust on the back. G+ $30





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