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