Antique & Collectible Stanley Tools by John Walter

Yes, there are woodworkers out there who think that a plane and a planer are the same thing, but it is a rare case. For most of us planes are among the most treasured and most frequently used hand tools. And we all know that modern good quality bench planes produced by Lie Nielsen or Veritas Tools are based to lesser (Veritas) or greater (Lie Nielsen) extend on planes produced by Stanley Tools in their days of glory. Stanley Tools produced other tools as well of course, and they made so many of them that a short visit to a local antique store will almost certainly confirm the obvious: tools made by Stanley Tools are everywhere.  Paradoxically, some of them are very rare, some are rather useless and some so difficult to find in a usable condition that any hand tool enthusiast sooner or later feels rather lost. The fact that collecting antique tools, including Stanley products, became very popular does not help. You don't believe me? Try finding a decent Stanley #46 for a reasonable amount of money... Some desperate souls do not know what to do and they either overpay for various Stanley tools on Ebay or give up. Not all is lost though! There are specialized resources out there that can help every aspiring hand tool user and potential tool collector (the two are often linked to some extent) navigate the treacherous waters of iron products once made by Stanley Tools.

The resource I find most valuable is Patrick's Blood and Gore. Unfortunately, this otherwise excellent reference tool is limited to planes and Patrick Leach does not include average plane values with his descriptions. So here comes another resource, John Walter's Antique & Collectible Stanley Tools - A Guide to Identity and Value. John Walter, at some point known as  "the Tool Merchant", decided to do the unthinkable and he put together a thick reference volume documenting all known hand tools produced by Stanley Tools from the second part of the 19th century until 1950s. The first edition of Walter's work was published in 1990, the second, thoroughly revised and much more desirable, came out in 1996. Both editions are currently out of print and if you are lucky enough to find a copy online or in a second hand book store be prepared to spend a considerable sum of money. It will be money well spend, because the book, together with the aforementioned Patrick's Blood and Gore, will teach you everything you need to know about vintage Stanley- Bailey planes and other woodworking tools once made by the venerable factory.

Unfortunately, since I do not have access to the second edition of Walter's work so my review is based on the original one. The book contains description of  over 1500 various woodworking tools, accompanied by more than 700 tool drawings. In order to give you a better idea of the scope of the book I will include the table of contents at the very end of this review.

The chapters on planes, rules and several type studies are the most interesting and valuable part of the book, but frankly, every bit of information is very relevant and serves as a wonderful reference tool for both collectors and woodworkers who are looking for a particular type of Stanley tool, or who want to see if the tool they have is complete etc. As far as I know, the type studies have been further expanded in the second edition of the book and there is a separate type study of Stanley #46 skewed plane there.

Walter describes every tool in a similar manner. Here is a verbatim description of Stanley #46 plane:

46 Skew Cutter Combination Plane
Features: Skewed cutter, adjustable fence and depth stop, 11 interchangeable cutters, spurs and slitter
Manufactured: 1873 to 1942
Dimensions: 10-1/2 inches long
Cutters: 11 provided: 1/4, 3/16, 5/16, 3/8, 1/2, 5/8, 13/16, 7/8, 1-1/2 inch; 1/4 inch tongue cutter; 1-1/2 inch filletster cutter
Construction: Cast iron, rosewood handles and fence
Finish: Nickel plated
Uses: Plow, dado, filletster, and rabbet plane
Notes: Eariler types have a japanned finish.
Average Price: $75-$150
Type 2: $250-$500 (1874 to 1875)
Type 1: $1000 to $1500 (1873). 
(Walter, p. 174)

A drawing of the plane is also incuded. This entry shows why the book is rightly considered a genuine authority on Stanley tools and why fellow woodworkers who are interested in equipping their workshops with vintage Stanley tools should consider getting a copy. Mr. Walter must have put a lot of effort and time into his work, for which all of us should be grateful. I hope a new edition will become available at some point, at least as an e-book.

The promised table of contents:

• Introduction
• How to Use this Guide
• Condition/Value Chart
• Acquisitions
• Historical Overview
• Bit Braces
• Catalogs
• Chisels
• Drills
• Four Square Tools
• Gauges
• Hammers
• Levels
• Miscellaneous
• Mitre Tools
• Planes
• Plumb Bobs
• Rules
• Screwdrivers
• Spokeshaves
• Squares & Bevels
• Tape Measures
• Tool Cabinets & Sets
• Tool Handles
• Trammel Points
• Zig Zag Rules
• Levels Type Study
• Metal Planes Type Study
• Wooden Planes Type Study
• Number 45 Plane Type Study
• Rules Type Study
• Bibliography
• Suggested Reading
• Glossary
• Index

Verdict: 5/5

Audience:  beginners, intermediate, advanced, tool collectors, hand tool enthusiasts

The good: numerous illustrations,very detailed descriptions

The bad: some typos and editorial mistakes, low angle planes not marked as such (perhaps it is not the case in the second edition, I am not sure)

Conclusion: if you can find a copy you can afford you should definitely get it.

Details: 
Author: John Walter
Title: Antique & Collectible Stanley Tools - A Guide to Identity and Value.
Publisher: The Tool Merchant
Number of pages: 455
Published in 1990
ISBN: 1878911007