| Adams Patent Patternmaker's Plane |
$19,550 |
2023 |
Specialized Auction House |
| 18th Century Crown Molder by John Cogdell |
$4,780 |
2022 |
Martin J. Donnelly Auctions |
| Set of 26 Matched Hollows and Rounds |
$3,200 |
2023 |
Brown Auction Services |
| Early American Gunstock Plane |
$1,750 |
2022 |
eBay |
| Norris No. 13 Chariot Plane |
$1,200 |
2023 |
Private Sale |
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</table>
Where to Buy Antique Wooden Planes
Several venues offer different advantages for purchasing antique wooden planes:
- Specialized tool auctions: Martin J. Donnelly, Brown Auction Services, and others regularly feature quality wooden planes
- Online marketplaces: eBay, 1stDibs, and Etsy offer wide selection but require careful evaluation
- Antique dealers: Specialized tool dealers often have curated selections of higher quality planes
- Flea markets and estate sales: Can yield occasional bargains but typically require knowledge to identify valuable pieces
- Tool collector meets and swap meets: Good for networking and finding specific items through knowledgeable sellers
Where to Sell Wooden Planes
When selling wooden planes, consider these options based on your goals:
- Auctions: Good for rare or valuable specimens where competitive bidding can drive prices
- Direct to collectors: Specialized forums and social media groups can connect you with buyers
- Consignment with dealers: Less work for you but expect dealer commissions of 20-40%
- Online marketplaces: Reaches wide audience but may require detailed descriptions and photographs
Tips for Evaluating Planes Before Purchase
When considering a wooden plane for purchase:
- Examine the sole for flatness and wear patterns
- Check for cracks around the mouth and at stress points
- Verify completeness of all components including wedge and iron
- Look for signs of repairs or modifications
- Investigate maker’s marks and compare with known examples
- Consider restoration needs and factor those into your offer
Building a Focused Collection
Rather than acquiring planes randomly, consider these collection strategies:
- Focus on a specific maker to build a comprehensive set
- Collect planes from a particular region or time period
- Assemble matched sets of molding planes
- Specialize in planes for a specific trade or purpose
- Target planes with documented provenance from notable workshops
Restoration Considerations
The approach to restoration should be guided by the plane’s intended use and collector value:
- For user planes: Functionality may take precedence, though excessive modification reduces collector value
- For collector pieces: Conservation rather than restoration is often preferred, preserving original patina and wear patterns
- Documenting condition: Before any work, photograph and document the plane’s original condition
Preservation Best Practices
To maintain the value and condition of wooden planes:
- Store in stable environment: Avoid extreme humidity fluctuations
- Apply appropriate protective finishes: Boiled linseed oil or paste wax can protect without altering character
- Prevent rust on metal components: Light oil or wax on irons and hardware
- Handle with clean hands: Oils from skin can damage wood over time
- Support properly when displayed: Avoid stress on fragile parts
What NOT to Do
Certain practices can significantly diminish the value of antique wooden planes:
- Aggressive cleaning that removes patina or maker’s marks
- Power sanding or machine work on wooden components
- Modern finishes like polyurethane that weren’t used historically
- Replacing parts without documenting or preserving originals
- “Improving” the design with modern modifications
When Professional Restoration Makes Sense
Consider professional restoration in these cases:
- Valuable or rare planes where proper techniques are critical
- Structural issues requiring specialized knowledge
- When conservation rather than restoration is the goal
- For planes with significant historical importance
Common Questions About Antique Wood Planes
How are wood planes numbered?
Stanley Tools, one of the first great plane makers, created a system for numbering the different-sized planes. The system's smallest plane is the number 1, and its largest is the number 8. The full list of sizes are: 1, 2, 3, 4, 4-1⁄2, 5, 5-1⁄2, 6, 7, and 8.
This numbering system primarily applies to metal and transitional planes, but has influenced how collectors and users refer to wooden planes of similar sizes. Generally, the larger the number, the longer the plane, with each size designed for specific woodworking tasks.
When did Marples stop making wooden planes?
Marples, a prominent British toolmaker, gradually phased out their wooden planes by the mid-1960s. According to company catalogs, wooden planes were still prominently featured in earlier 20th century catalogs, but by the 1965 catalog, they had been largely discontinued in favor of metal-bodied planes.
This transition reflects the broader industry shift from wooden to metal planes that occurred throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, as manufacturing techniques advanced and user preferences changed.
What is the best wood for wooden planes?
The ideal woods for wooden planes combine durability, stability, and workability. Traditionally, European beech was the standard for most wooden planes due to its excellent properties. Other excellent choices include:
- Goncalvo Alves (known for durability)
- Apple and pear (dense fruitwoods with tight grain)
- Hornbeam (exceptional wear resistance)
- Yellow birch (common in American planes)
For soles or wear surfaces, denser woods like rosewood, ebony, or lignum vitae were often added to higher-end planes. Modern planemakers also use cherry, ash, and oak, though these typically require separate hardwood soles for longevity.
What are the different types of antique hand planes?
Antique wood planes came in numerous specialized forms, each designed for specific woodworking tasks:
- Bench Planes: Jack, smoothing, and jointer planes for general surface preparation
- Molding Planes: Created decorative profiles (hollows, rounds, ogees, etc.)
- Rabbet Planes: Cut shoulders and recesses along edges
- Shoulder Planes: Precision trimming of tenons and shoulders
- Router Planes: Cleaned up dadoes and recesses to uniform depth
- Plough/Combination Planes: Cut grooves with adjustable fences
- Compass Planes: Worked curved surfaces with adjustable soles
- Chamfer Planes: Created angled edges
- Scraper Planes: For difficult grain and final smoothing
Specialty planes were also developed for specific trades like cooperage (barrel-making), instrument making, and shipbuilding.
Are old wooden planes worth anything?
Yes, antique wooden planes can be quite valuable, with prices ranging from around $30 for common examples in fair condition to several thousand dollars for rare or exceptional specimens. The value depends on several factors:
- Maker (signed or marked planes from known makers command premiums)
- Condition (originality and working condition significantly impact value)
- Rarity (unusual designs or specialty planes are worth more)
- Age (pre-1850 planes typically command higher prices)
- Provenance (documented history can greatly enhance value)
Even basic wooden planes in usable condition typically sell for $50-150, with rarer examples regularly fetching $300-800. Exceptional planes, particularly patented designs or those from prestigious makers, can sell for thousands at specialized auctions.
How much is a Stanley No. 8 plane worth?
A Stanley No. 8 jointer plane, which is their largest standard bench plane at 24 inches long, varies in value based primarily on type, condition, and completeness. For wooden-bodied transitional No. 8 planes:
- In fair but usable condition: $75-150
- In good original condition: $150-250
- In excellent condition with original parts: $250-400+
Metal-bodied Stanley No. 8 planes generally command higher prices. As noted in forum discussions, asking prices and actual selling prices often differ, with many sellers initially pricing higher than market value. Condition, originality, and completeness are the most significant factors affecting the final value.
Market Trends
The market for antique wooden planes has shown several notable trends:
- Rising premium for early American makers: Planes by documented 18th and early 19th century craftsmen have seen steady appreciation
- Condition becoming increasingly important: As supplies of original-condition planes diminish, pristine examples command larger premiums
- Specialized collecting communities: Online forums and social media have connected passionate collectors, creating stronger markets for niche categories
- Regional variations in pricing: Planes from certain areas (New England, UK) often command premiums in their regions of origin
Investment Strategies
If approaching wooden planes as investments:
- Focus on quality over quantity: Higher-end planes from respected makers tend to appreciate more reliably
- Document provenance: Maintaining records of a plane’s history adds value
- Specialize in undervalued categories: Identify plane types that may be underappreciated but have historical significance
- Consider complete sets: Matched sets of planes often appreciate faster than individual pieces
- Look for planes with unique stories: Those with documented use in significant projects or by notable craftsmen
Risks and Considerations
Be aware of these factors that can affect investment potential:
- Market fluctuations: Like all collectibles, values can vary with economic conditions
- Authentication challenges: As values rise, so does the incentive for misrepresentation
- Storage and insurance costs: Proper storage and protection adds to the cost of maintaining a collection
- Liquidity concerns: Specialized tools may take time to sell at full market value
External Resources for Antique Wood Plane Enthusiasts
Whether you’re drawn to wooden planes as working tools, collectible artifacts, or investment pieces, understanding their history, construction, and the factors that influence their value will help you make informed decisions.
The market for antique wooden planes continues to evolve, with growing appreciation for these tools as tangible connections to woodworking traditions. For the dedicated collector, user, or investor, wooden planes offer a unique combination of aesthetic appeal, historical significance, and in many cases, continued utility.
As with any specialized collecting field, knowledge is your most valuable tool. By learning to identify quality pieces, understanding market dynamics, and connecting with the community of wooden plane enthusiasts, you can build a collection that brings satisfaction whether your interest is primarily in preservation, use, or investment.
