Before the introduction of electricity all woodworking
and carpentry was done only ever using hand tools. Today
many of these old tools and especially old woodworking
planes are now antiques and very collectible. Although they
may be old many of these planes are still of such a quality
that a person could actually use them today. Certainly many
people find old woodworking planes and tools not just
functional but very intriguing and beautiful items to
collect.
During this article we will look more closely at the
woodworking plane and why they are still one of the most
favorite tools of all people who do woodworking.
Certainly the woodworking collectable plane is still made today and is a
very handy tool for shaving of layers of wood. Planes have
been made from various different materials and nearly all of
them are indestructible. However the early versions were
made from wood usually a complete block and would then have
an adjusting cutting blade set into it. However, as you will
see the more recent woodworking planes now readily available
at your local DIY or hardware store are made from metal. But
where the old woodworking planes are concerned that were
made from wood this represent an age when things made by
hand were known to last and be of the highest quality
possible.
In fact in recent years the oldest woodworking planes to be
found and which are in remarkable condition for their age
are those that were brought up from the "Mary Rose" which
sank in the mid 1500's. However, even though the ship the
planes were found on was English the actual wooden planes
that were found were actually Continental in design.
Certainly up until the late 17th century many of the old
woodworking planes that you sometimes find today were often
made either by the person who would be using them or the
local farrier (blacksmith). Normally it would be the
craftsman or woodman (user of the tool) that would make the
wooden section of the plan and then the local blacksmith
would produce the blade for insertion into it. It was during
this period that the first recognized woodworking plane
makers began to appear. Certainly one of the earliest
recorded British plane makers to be found is Frances Purdew
and Thomas Grandford who were both based in London.
You will often find that many of the old woodworking
collectable planes can still be used today and are just as good as when
they were first made. Also in many cases you will find that
they are cheaper to purchase than a brand new one. So why
not take a trip to your local antique shop and see if they
have any that you can purchase you will soon be amazed at
the quality of work you produce using one of these.
