For an item that’s over 100 years old, this Stanley No. 62 spokeshave is in fantastic condition. It’s a rare tool, and I feel lucky to have one in my collection—especially in such well-preserved shape.

The design is clever and practical. It features a double-ended body, allowing for two blades—one on each end—so you can switch between them depending on the task. Each blade is held securely in place by spring-loaded locking nuts, which grip the metal tabs (lugs) that support the blades. This mechanism keeps everything tight and stable during use, making it a joy to work with. Owning a tool like this isn’t just about functionality—it’s about preserving a piece of craftsmanship from a bygone era.

Stanley 101 Block Plane Discovery

Picked up a lovely little Stanley 101 block plane in great condition. At first glance, I thought it would go straight into my ever-growing Stanley collection. But after checking Blood & Gore, I realised the sides should be japanned. Another school day—always something new to learn in the world of vintage tools.

Here are two broken planes that I intend to keep in the hope of obtaining spare parts to replace the damaged components. The Stanley knuckle plane, a (B) casting, has a broken lug on the lever cap and a missing blade. These parts are readily available in the U.S. for approximately $20 each. However, the postage for each item is also $20, making the total cost $80 to restore it to a usable condition, which exceeds its overall value. This is something I may consider doing in the future, as I dislike seeing a good plane go to waste.

The Ed Preston 1386 shoulder plane is a different kettle of fish. Like all planes of this ilk the lever cap is the fist thing that breaks when the plane is dropped. There is always spare bodies on the likes of ebay, but seldom lever caps. I ‘ve considered buying a Record 042 or 041 with a damaged mouth and just swapping the lever caps. Anyway they don’t take much to feed so I might have them for a while, one way or another.

Today, I took possession of my first diamond stone. The decision to buy this product came from the fact that I’m about to go through my entire collection to ensure that each item is in prime condition. As a collector, I’m of the opinion that every tool should be restored to its best—including the blade. I’ve tried the usual sharpening stones, but working on hundreds of blades is hard work, especially at my age. So, I’ll give these a try and see how it goes.

Hi there, I’ve decided to publish this site as a book on Amazon. If you enjoyed it, please consider purchasing a copy.