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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



J. Hannan, Middletown J. Hannan, Middletown J. Hannan, Middletown J. Hannan, Middletown

WP230430 J. Hannan, Middletown James Hannan served in an artillery regiment in the Civil War. Doesn't that sound like an axymoron, civil and war? The plane was referenced as a boxwood plow in the American planemaker's book and the mark is given 4 starts, without much other information. I actually don't think that the plane is boxwood. I did at first, but now It hink that it is fruitwood. It is uncleaned with a lovely patina and particularly elegant nuts. The brass has a pleasing patina. There is one fresh chip out of the front arm, as noted with arrow. Otherwise the arms only have minimal other losses. This is a really nice plow that I would be happy to add to my collection. G+ $195


M. Deter, Philada

WP230439 M. Deter, Philada Melchior Deter was an early Philadelphia makerand his planes are quite scarce. This is also a scarce form, a halving plane. This was used to do lap joints on paneling. On close inspection, I see that the wedge is a well made reproduction. The coloring gives it away. There are aslso some scattered old insect holes and a warp to the body. In an auction this would go unnoticed and it would probably bring $200. G+ Sold



Pond & Wells, New Haven Pond & Wells, New Haven Pond & Wells, New Haven Pond & Wells, New Haven

WP230444 Pond & Wells, New Haven A 21 1/2" fore plane in wonderful condition. It has been properly waxed by a responsible collector. It has wonderful color and patina. The tote has no damage and the mouth is still tight. This plane was not used much. Pond & Wells planes are scarce and date to around 1850. For a bench plane this so old to be so little used is unusual. I consider this to be a great find. G++ $165



Massive Applewood Fore Plane Massive Applewood Fore Plane Massive Applewood Fore Plane

WP23039 Massive Applewood Fore Plane An 18" long applewood for plane that looks to be a Pennsylvania made plane to me. It has an uncut James Cam iron that is 3 inches wide. That is unheard of in a plane like this. The handle is also oversize. The plane looks professionally made to me but it is not signed, I am speculating that it was a special order and did not get marked. Because of shrinkage, the blade is pretty tight in the body, and should probably have a bit ground off the edges so that the body doesn't split in a really dry winter. Right now, the blade is not pushed down all the way because it is so tight. It is up about an inch higher than it should be. The blade is still quite long, although not quite as long as it appears in the photos. There is one spot on the edge of the sole were some wood is missing. I can't envision why. This is a real gem. G++ $165


E.W. Carpenter, Lancaster E.W. Carpenter, Lancaster

WP230314 E.W. Carpenter, Lancaster A scarce 1 1/8" wide square rabbet, meaning that the blade is not skewed. As found condition with some roughness to the wedge but overall not a heavily used example. These are usually heavily worn. G+ Sold





I. Jones, Albany I. Jones, Albany

WP230323 I. Jones, Albany A mid-sized smoothing plane, measuring 7 3/4" overall with a blade that is just under 2" wide. The double iron is by Buck Brothers and is clearly original to the plane. The mouth is super tight and the sole shows little wear. The plane was varnished and the varnish has craqueleur. You don't get many smoothing planes in such little used condition. G++ $119



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




Creagh & Rickard Creagh & Rickard

WP211166 Creagh & Rickard A 1/2" coming & going match plane by a scarce early Cincinatti partnership that is believed to have only worked in 1829. The plane also bears the owner's mark of Samuel Leffel, a name that is unique enough to be researchable. The plane is smooth from being rubbed down with steel wool. One wedge has the common lengthwise split and is scratched from having clogs cleared. This is a nice plane that a user or collector should appreciate, but being conservative in my grading, I only gave it Good $109


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




Sandoe & Edelen, Manuf., Shellebager Sandoe & Edelen, Manuf., Shellebager Sandoe & Edelen, Manuf., Shellebager Sandoe & Edelen, Manuf., Shellebager

WP21108 Sandoe & Edelen, Manuf., Shellebager's Patent, 1848 A rare Shellebager's Patent smoothing plane. The patent was for an unusual cap iron that doubles as the mouth of the sole, giving the plane a Norris style mouth on a wooden coffin smoothing plane. I used one years ago and I can tell you that once you have it set up right, it really works well. The setup is critical. This one is in nice untouched condition. Most of the original Butcher iron remains. There is some roughness to the top of the wedge and a big chip out of the back edge of the wedge. The plane body has a pleasing patina and shows only light wear. There is just the hint of a split in the right rear cheek, but really just a hint and not something that would bother me. This is the best example of one of these that I have handled. From the Carl Bopp collection. G+ $199


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



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



Tasai Damascus Steel Smoothing Plane Tasai Damascus Steel Smoothing Plane Tasai Damascus Steel Smoothing Plane Tasai Damascus Steel Smoothing Plane Tasai Damascus Steel Smoothing Plane

WP221218 Tasai Damascus Steel Smoothing Plane This is a white oak Japanese smoothing plane that our consignor bought from Japan Woodworker 20 years ago at a cost of $800. It has a 58mm wide Damascus (Mokume) steel blade and cap iron. At that time, I think that this would have been hand forged by Mr Tasai the elder. I don't know who made the plane itself, but you would not find this blade in a plane that wasn't of the very best quality. A customer has now come forward with a translation of the lid as "mokume kanna Tasai-saku", which translates to “wood grain plane made by Tasai” The plane is new in the original wooden box, inside the original cardboard box. I found one similar plane on eBay, with a 70mm blade, priced at over $2000. New $995


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





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)



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




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





Plow Irons Plow Irons Plow Irons

WP211243 Plow Irons A wooden box containing 32 19th Century British plow irons. All of them are good useable plow irons. When I am asked to find a plow iron of a given sized that fits a particular plane, this is the box to which I have turn. Over the years I have taken out quite a few irons, but the one that are left are in no way inferior to those that were removed. A great resource to a dealer and at $4 each, dirt cheap. G+ - Fine- $128


W. Butcher W. Butcher

WP211211 W. Butcher A 2 1/4" wide uncut tapered iron that measures 7 5/8" overall. The edge is ground with a pronounced radius, perhaps for a gutter plane. G+ $30





John Green John Green

WP210727 John Green This is a little used 18th Century toothing plane iron that is 2 1/8" wide and 7" overall. It has the original surface as it left the blacksmith's shop. Fine $50





W. Butcher W. Butcher

WP210751 W. Butcher A 2 5/8" wide cap iron in as found condition. There is some rust on the upper right and surface, but it is otherwise in nice condition. G+ $19





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





Atkinson & Sons Atkinson & Sons

WP210656 Atkins & Sons A 2 1/4" cap iron. It has some rust on the top but should clean to G+ $16






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




Unmarked Unmarked

WP210480 Unmarked A 1 3/4" wide uncut tapered iron that is 5 5/16" overall. It looks like it was cleaned by a collector, perhaps a bit over zealously. G+ $26





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




I & H. Sorby

WP201138 I & H. Sorby A 2 1/2" wide blade that has been properly ground for use in a jack plane. It is 6 1/2" overall and is in nice as found condition. G+ $19





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. Butcher, Sheffield W. Butcher, Sheffield

WP200143 W. Butcher, Sheffield A 2 5/8" cap iron off of a big bench plane. Some surface rust but untouched and with a nice look. G+ $29






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





Hearnshaw Brothers

WP190131 Hearnshaw Brothers A 2 1/4" wide iron that is tapered, but only not as much as most. It has a light taper and is still quite thick at the top. It mics to 200 thousandths at the cutting edge and 142 thousandths of an inch at the top. It has 2 1/2" left, which is about full length. The top has some light pitting, but the bottom is bright and while as found, will clean easily. G+ $28



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