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News

Their “Wrightful” place

6 February 2025 by Neil

As a kid I always collected things much to my parent’s despair, I’m sure. Like a squirrel.

Things I specifically remember are postage stamps, beermats, Top Trumps cards (remember them?) and Paganini Football stickers.

And it wasn’t just a passing fancy, I was “all in”. All the pocket money gone on a Saturday and skint until the next weekend until I decided to supplement my income with both a paper round and milk round before school! I’ve still got the stamps which may be worth a few quid!

As a teenager I took an interest in woodworking and acquired a few tools, one of which I still own and cherish to this day. In fact, it’s my everyday user – a simple coffin plane by W Greenslade of Bristol, wouldn’t part with it for the world! Sharp as sharp can be!

Anyway, if you’ve dealt with me, you’ll know I love to salvage nice things and to see them go to a good home is always gratifying. Every man has his job etc but to see some of the house clearance guys commit lovely old tools to scrap rubs me up the wrong way.

So last week I sold a nice little set of Moore & Wright bearing scrapers to Dave. I rescued them from a house clearance guy at a flea market. They were loose in a rusty old container together with their purpose made box. To be honest, I only had half an idea what they actually were but pieced them all together and had an incline they had “something about them” being Moore & Wright.

On receipt, Dave let me know he was a collector, and he soon had them pristine to sit alongside his other larger set and relevant catalogue. He sent the attached pics and don’t they all look well?

Great to see them find their way here where they will be loved and valued. So much better than ending up with the scrapman (God forbid) or buried in a quarry somewhere. Warms my heart!

Just to note, there is also a 12” version set and Dave’s looking for that to complete his collection. I’m scouring but just in case anyone can help, let me know and I’ll put him in touch with you.

Two happy boys!

Filed Under: News

You know that warm, fuzzy feeling……..

29 August 2024 by Neil

Just had an email that’s really brightened my day and reinforces why I really enjoy what I do on here at Vintage Hand Tools.

Here it is:

Hi Neil, set arrived and very pleased with it absolutely as described and perfect for me.  Kind regards Jon

I always aim to deliver the best possible service and remain grateful to my customers who support the venture. (Thanks to you all).

 

It’s gratifying to find these tools and move them onto genuine tradespeople and collectors, knowing they’ve hopefully found a good home and are back doing what they were made to do.

I’ve also come to realise I should perhaps leverage the feedback I get and set up a testimonial section on the website (note to self).

Here’s a few more (amongst many) positive comments I’ve received lately:

Thanks Neil Very surprised to find that this was “vintage” and not sold anymore- I bought mine nearly 45 years ago but have mislaid it- so useful and portable
Hi Neil Thank you for the follow up, all good thanks evri delivered yesterday morning. Kind regards George 
Hi Neil  Bevel received today all good  Many thanks Graham 
Hi Neil, Just received the spokeshave, it’s in excellent condition (I don’t think it has ever been used, still has the factory grind on the blade and linisher marks on the base).  I’m always on the look out for the odd item, I’m tooling up for the retirement workshop that will have to included the odd taught session with clients, so it was good to find another source of quality older tools.
Hi Neil. The square has arrived. It is a nice one in good order. Actually I need it to replace the missing one in my combination set. God knows where it went. Maybe I machined it into something in a moment of madness. The rule will come in very handy. Thanks for excellent service. All the best Mike.
Good Morning Neil, Just to let you know that the planes arrived in great condition and I’m very pleased. Thanks for getting them away quickly (Evri can be a law unto themselves) and for the great communication. I have bookmarked your site in my online tool sites. Good luck with the website. Thanks again. Matt

So that’s all I have for today as I happily type with a smiley face and warm, fuzzy feeling.

Have a look at the latest tools listed and all around the site. Hopefully there’s something that will tickle you and you can be confident you’ll always receive the same service.

Neil

 

 

Filed Under: News

Amazing Old Tools!

9 July 2024 by Neil

There’s something special about tools with a history. Every mark has a tale. At Vintage Hand Tools, we explore old stories. We bring past tales to life through our tools.

I began this because I admire old-time skill. Tools back then were more than just tools. They were a worker’s faithful friend and lifeblood, helping create masterpieces. Now, they are ready to join you on your journey.

I travel a lot, finding these tools at markets and the like. Every saved tool holds a piece of the past. Truth be told, they don’t make them like before. Where required, each refurb not only saves history but also celebrates great craftsmanship.

Our tools are not just unique. They hold the essence of past craftsmen that’s missing in today’s tools. Using one can change how you feel about your work. It makes creating more meaningful.

If this excites you, you’ll love our line-up at Vintage Hand Tools. Why not check out our collection? You might find a tool that calls to you or a rare find that reflects your style.

Vintagehandtools.co.uk. Jump into a world where each tool has a story.

Thanks for being here,

Neil Spruce

Vintage Hand Tools - There's something special about tools with a history

Filed Under: History, News

Father-in-Law Finds | Tailed Compass Rebate Plane & Double Headed Hatchet

11 January 2024 by Neil

No secret that I really enjoy putting the yards in to find lost treasures and beautiful (not always) tools that may otherwise find their way to the scrapyard or the tip.

Am also very lucky to have my father-in-law Peter who shares the same Car Boot/Flea Market interests, has come to appreciate what I’m looking for and developed an eye for the unusual / collectable.

He’s also “tight as a Scammel Wheelnut” when it comes to bargaining and I sometimes wonder how many things may have “slipped the net” when sellers won’t tolerate his hard bargaining tactics!

However I count my blessings and am grateful for some wonderful spoils, the latest of which has to be these two beauties which I think are going to have to be “keepers”, at least for the time being!

Wooden tailed compass soled rebate plane
Wooden tailed compass soled rebate plane

I love this curved compass sole wooden tailed rebate plane with the handle grip rear end resembling an animal’s tail. No maker’s mark unfortunately but lovely condition when cleaned and sharpened nicely.

Griffin Double Headed Hatchet
Griffin Double Headed Hatchet

Then what about this fella! Unusual indeed and I’ve never seen one for sure. Made by William Edwards & Son under the Griffin brand at Griffin works in Wolverhampton.

I’ve furnished Peter with a “shopping list” of select bits I’m looking for but getting him to part with the money, whatever their value is not an easy fix! I am nevertheless, very lucky!

Filed Under: News

Great day at the Vintage Hand Tool Extravaganza

17 October 2023 by Neil

So had been looking forward to this one for some months and wasn’t disappointed. Set off on a beautiful, sunny Saturday morning for a 40 minute drive to the village of Carlton Scroop in Lincolnshire, just beyond Newark for me towards Grantham. Chance to take the MG out in the sun through some quintessentially English villages, the drive was just a joy!

Arrived early on to a packed Car Park with lots of like minded folks in the sun talking between themselves presumably on our common interest. On walking into the village hall I was greeted with the buzz and hum of enthusiastic dealers, enthusiasts, collectors and makers together with sight of hundreds of vintage tools. What’s not to like here?

Where to look first was the immediate problem in front of me as the quality of the tools on show was fantastic. Immediately I had my eye on a 9″ Rabone Combination square that had been on my radar for some time. I held off at that point and had a wander around in bemusement at the quality of the fayre on show.

A number of dealers there that I was aware of and great to see the event had been well patronised both with traders and interested punters. I had some fantastic conversations with notable experts Richard Arnold and Bill Carter on handmade planes and the stories of the makers behind them. Richard explained to me how his friend had made the stunning plane I had picked up to peruse and how he came to own it. He went onto suggest his friend was probably the best plane maker in the world in his opinion (and he knew of quite a few worldwide).

I spoke with Bill at length about planes that he had made, another beautiful hardwood plane with a vertical wedge to tighten the mouth and a bunch of pristine Norris planes he had acquired in one haul which he deemed unprecedented. The depth of knowledge of these men was humbling and it was so interesting to chat with them.

Richard had a nice ornate Try Square I asked him about and we got to chatting about a Marples 9″ Square that I had picked up recently and luckily I had a few pictures on my phone after I’d cleaned it up (the square, not my phone). It has a Wm Marples & Sons mark in the brass that I knew was pretty unusual when I saw it. Richard was generous enough to offer his opinion and introduce me to other knowledgeable folks in the room who seemed to concur it was a nice one. Found out after a bit more research that it’s a “#414 Best Plated Square with Fancy Shield” from the mid to late nineteenth century.

Marples #414 Best Plated Square with Fancy Shield
Marples #414 Best Plated Square with Fancy Shield

Turns out that I went onto “meet the maker” (in a fashion) the following day, Sunday morning. Read here.

I shouldn’t go any further without mentioning the organiser/host Robert McPhail of Old Tool Mart who had done a splendid job of pulling it all together!

He had a fine array of tools on show and it was good to pick up with him following an online exchange we’d had previously about Acorn Planes. Robert is compiling an extensive document / catalogue detailing the products within the Acorn range, their nuances and history etc.

I have an Acorn 71 1/2 A Router Plane I knew little about and actually bought it in the early days thinking it was a Stanley! Robert had been looking for photographs of Acorn products and I brought it over for him to photograph. I noticed since it had one or two admirers and I hadn’t really appreciated it was a “rare beast”. Robert gave me a detailed account of it’s history and origin etc that I had been unable to find anywhere in so much detail. Look out for his publication which I think is nearing completion.

Acorn 71 1/2A Router Plane
Acorn 71 1/2A Router Plane

Then to meet a man with a “dark arts” skill Peter Tiffney, a real character and master saw sharpener! Nicer man you couldn’t wish to meet with all the time in the world for you and a font of knowledge on saws and other things joinery / carpentry. He had some lovely tools and was on hand to demonstrate saw sharpening. So much the better he was able to sharpen a saw I had brought in search of some knowledge on the graduated tooth pattern. Lovely old rip saw by Kaye of Nottingham and probably one of my favourite things. Needs some love now for some gentle restoration but also needs care as I’m liable to be missing some fingers it’s now that sharp and cuts like a demon. Great to watch Peter at work and soak in his extensive knowledge. As if things couldn’t get any better he lives in close proximity to me and I have an invite to his workshop. Can’t wait and thank you Peter!

Kaye of Nottingham Rip Saw
Kaye of Nottingham Rip Saw

The day progressed in great fashion as I then got to meet Andy James of APJ Joinery who is a master of the lathe. His extensive display of work was incredible and some of the items meticulous beyond belief! Acrylics, coloured woods and the like glued together then turned in a master way to beautiful, ornate objects. He was quick to give me some advice on woods and turning tool handles for restoration which is mainly where I’m at. Again, local to me so another win and we’re getting together shortly for a mentoring session so hopefully I can meet my lathe on equal terms without fear! Andy told me he was going to the Wood Turning Connect 2023 event in London towards the end of this week where he’s in competition. Am sure he’ll do well and wish him all the best!

It would be wrong not to mention the lovely hospitality too. Coffee and fruit cake were marvellous.

So that was it in a nutshell, what a morning! At one with the world, lovely generous people and everything to hold my interest. I decided to buy the Rabone Chesterman 1902 9″ square as I was leaving. Does anyone know what the “W” signifies in the casting? I’ve done some online research and can only find versions with a “P”. Would be great to know.

Rabone Chesterman No 1902 9" Combination Square
Rabone Chesterman No 1902 9″ Combination Square

Oh and I got a nice loaf from an Artisan Market in the beautiful village of Fulbeck on the way home. Lucky boy today!!

Filed Under: News

Tracking Marples history in Sheffield

16 October 2023 by Neil

Second part of a great weekend as I went to visit my brother in Sheffield. We don’t see nearly enough of each other and it was great to catch up, mainly in the local for a long afternoon of discussion continued with a few more back at the house a little later on and into the small hours.

He too like me, is a collector but mainly of historic action comics, music memorabilia and vinyl. So Sunday morning required plenty of coffee and a good walk to “blow the cobwebs off”. Beautiful day and I saw a chance to knock off one of the things I’d been hoping to do for ages and visit the resting place of William Marples (Jnr) which wasn’t too far away.

Entering the cemetery at the church of Christ Church in Fulwood the task looked daunting as there seemed to be a vast amount of graves all very close together and it appeared a “needle in a haystack” type scenario. With my brother questioning my idea of an ideal Sunday morning activity, we stumbled around for five or ten minutes, contemplating asking the vicar or such but could hear the Sunday service in full flow and didn’t want to interfere.

We were chatting away thinking it may be a job for another day when all of a sudden there it was, straight in front of  us with the grave of William’s son Edwin Marples immediately at the side of him! Given the magnitude and ornateness of other graves in the cemetery it was surprising how understated both graves were considering the size, reach and history of the Marples tool business of the time. William must have been a humble man. The graves are plain and bear no testament to the company or what the men had achieved.

William Marples was born 21st March 1809 and died 2nd October 1877. He is buried together with his wife Jane Kent who died later in 1893.

Edwin Henry Marples his son, was born 17th October 1839 and died 17th November 1918. He too is buried with his wife Mary Jane Smith.

 

 

Given the amount of Marples tools I possess together with a working knowledge of the company history, it gave we a little warm feeling inside having ticked this one off. As I said to my brother the night before when we were discussing collecting, cataloguing and general Magpie behaviour, “not everyone would understand“!

The Hawley Exhibition next time I’m in Sheffield has to be top of the list.

 

Filed Under: History, News

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