Rons Primitive Skills

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Tuesday, November 15, 2011

A few more block planes

I got a nice comment from DeanO, it can be read in the comment section at the bottom of the post, about collecting and using old planes. I have several that are considered collectibles and the difference is I bought them for use instead of shelf decorations. Why buy and use old tools? Because they were made very well and most of them are still in top working condition. Plus, the tools you buy today are either junk or very, very expensive. If you shop around you can pick good old tools up fairly cheap. All of my planes combined cost less than $50. total. You can pay a lot more, but careful shopping and patience will reward you.

I use these little planes for making tool handles, bows, arrows, atl atl's, and many other primitive/bushcraft kind of things. Its easy to keep the blades sharp and with patience and practice a person can adjust them to take off paper thin shavings.


This one is a "bull" or "rabbet" plane. It's about 3 1/2" long and has a 1" blade. This one is designed for sash and cabinet making. Its for cutting rabbets and to plane into blind corners. This one is similar to a Stanley #75. Its marked "H. BOKER & CO. GERMANY" in a circle on the iron

This is a cast iron block plane. Its 3 1/2' long and has a 1" blade. These come in a variety of styles and are common. This is a Stanley #101.

This is a combination wood and iron adjustable plane. Its called a "transitional". Its the biggest plane I own and measures 7 1/4" and has a 2" blade. This is for removing a lot of wood at once. I can turn out a good rabbit stick in half an hour with this plane. Manufacturer unknown.

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